The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1863-03-13

tho "dteT ioHtrl0S somewhat under the Ia
boring pumps.
From nine to ten it kept pace with them
From ten to eleven the sea increased in VIC
lence, the waves now dashing entirely owe
the turret, binding the eyes and causin.
quick catchings of the breath, as they swept
against US. AT ten the engineer had report
ed the leak as gaining on us; at half-pas
ten, with several pumps in constant motion
one of which threw out three thousand gal
Ions minute, the water was rising rapidly
and nearing the fires. When these were
reached, the vessels doom was sealed; fol
with their extinction the pumps must cease
and all hope of keeping the Monitor above
water more than an hour or two expire. Our
knight had received his death-blow, and Law
struggling and helpless under the power OF
a stronger than he.
A consultation was held and. not withou,
conflict of feeling, it was decided that sig
nails Of distress should be made Ocean
claimed our little vessel, and her trembling
frame and failing fire proved that she would
soon answer his call yet pang went through
US, as we thought Of the first iron-clad living
alone at the ottom of this stormy sea, her
guns silenced, herself useless mass of met
al. Each culver of her strong frame seemed
to plead with US not TO abandon her, The
work she had done. the work she was to dc,
rose before US might there not be posi-
bility of saving her yet her time could not
have come so soon. We seemed to hear d
voice from her saying -" Save me, for once
| saved you. My frame is stanch stil nv
guns may again silence the roar of the Reb-
ell batteries. The night will pass, and calm
come once more. Save me-" The roar of
Ocean drowned her voice. and we who de-
scended for a moment knew. by the rising
water through Which we waded, that the end
was near.
Small time was there for regrets Rockets
were thrown up, and answered by the Rhode
Island, whose brave men prepared at once 10
lower boats. though, in that wild sea. it was
almost madness.
The Monitor had been attached to the
Rhode Island By two hawserS, one of which
had parted at abour seven P. N. The other
remained firm. but now it was necessary il
should be cut. How was that possible, when
every wave washed clean over her deck
what man could reach it alive? Who'll
cut the hawser?" shouted Captain Bank
head. Acting Master Stodder volunteered
and was followed BY another. Holding bv
one hand TO the ropes at her side, they cut
though. by many blows of the hatchet, the
immense rope which united the vessels
Stodder returned in safety, but his brave
companion was washed over and went down
/ The men were quiet and controlled, but
all felt anxiety. Master's-Mate Peter Will!
Jams suggested bailing. in the faint hope iha;
: in this way the vessel might he kept longer
above water. \ baiiins party was organized
by John Stocking, boatswain, who, brave
man, at last went down. Paymaster keeler
led The way, in company with Stocking, and
one or two others; an1 though the water
was now waist-deep, and they knew the YES
sci was liable TO go down at almost any mo-
ment. they worked on nobly. throwing out
constant stream of water from the turret.
/ Meanwhile the boat launched from the
Rhode Island had started, manned by crew
of picked men.
! A mere heroic impulse could not have ac-
complished this most noble deed. For hours
they had watched the raging sea. Their cap
tain and they knew the dange-; every man
who entered that boat did it at peril Of his
Life and yet all were ready Are not such
acts as these convincing proof of the divini-
| " in human nature
| We watched her with Straining eyes, for
few thought she could live to reach US. She
neared We were sure of her, thank God
! In this interval the cut hawser had become
entangled in the paddlewheel Of the Rhode
Island, and she dritted down upon US: we,
not knowing this fact, supposed her coming
to our assistance; but moment undeceived
US. The launch sent for our relief was now
between US and her,-too near for safety
The steamer bore swiftly down, stern first,
upon our starboard quarter. Keep off,
keep off," we cried, and then first saw that
she was helpless. Even as We looked, the
devoted boat was caught between the steam
er and the iron-clad, "a sharp sound of crush
ing wood was heard,-thwarts, oars, and
splinters flew in air,-the boats crew leaped
to the Monitors deck. Death stared US in
the face; our iron prov must go through the
Rhode Islands side, and then an end to all.
One awful moment We held our BREATH
then the hawser was cleared, the steamer
moved off, as it were, step by step, first one,
then another, till hip's-length lay between
us, and then We breathed freely. But the
boat had she gone to the bottom, carrying
brave souls with her? No, there she lay,
beating against our iron sides, but still, though
bruised and broken, life-boat to US.
There was no hasty scramble for life when
it was found she foated; all held back. The
men kept steadily on at their work of bail.
ing,-only those leaving, and in order nam.
ed, whom the captain bade save themselves
They descended from the turret to the dee,
with mingled fear and hope, for the wave:
tore from side to side, and the coolest head