New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-02-10
NO INTERRUPTION OF THE BLOCKADE.
THE REELS APPARENTLY GLAD TO GET OFF,
ANOTHER MERRIMAC FAILURE.
WARRINGTON, Monday, Feb. Q, 1868.

Corning the Rebel attack on our squadron OH 'na'
point:
FLAGSHIP WARAsH PoRr ROYAL. Feb. 2, 1863;
SIR: ! have to report tina, sbout o'clock on the
morning OF the 3lst ut., during the obscur'ty OF
thick haze, two iron-clad gunboais came out OF
Charleston by the main ship channelS unpercsva6ie
by the squadron, and commenced raid upon Tue
blockadng fleet
Mos. of the latter were Of the light class OF pnr-
chased vessels two of tho heaviest men OF war; the
Powhatsn and the Canandagua, being at this! port
coaling and repairing.
The Mercedita was the fret vessel attacked. Her
officers and crew had been particularly watchfui
during the night TO look out for suspected vessels
md al o'clock had slipped her cable and over
hauled a troop steamer running for the ehanhei Dy
mistake. She had returned TO her anchorage, ano
Cart. Stellwagen had gone TO his room fer q snort
lime, leaving Lieut.-Com. Abbott on deck,
when one Of tie iron-clads suddenly appeared.
Her approach was concealed by the haze ana moist
of the atmosphere. The vessel was Immediately
hailed and an order given TO lire; but The ron-cau
being close aboard and lying low IN the water, no
guns could be brought to bear upon her, heavy
rife shell was fred from the enemy which entering
tie starbosrd side Of the Mereedta, passed through
her condenser and the steam-drum OF her port Boiler
aud exploded against her port side, blowing hole
In it's exit some four FIVE feet square, killing the
gunner, aud by the escape of steam scaldng q num-
Ter Of the men, and rendering her motive power ap
parently useless.
Unable 10 use bis guns and being at the mercy Of
the enemy, WHO WIS HiCIyeluS vi uIS
quarter, all further resistance was deemed hopeless
by Capt. Stellwagen, and he surrendered. The
new and officers were paroled though nothing was
.aid OF the ship, the Executive Officer, Lieutenant
Commander Abbot, having gone on board The ene'
mys gcnboat and ilhdie tie arrangement.
The i,on.clad leaving the Mercedita TO her faes-.
10 sink or not--next engaged the Keystone State,
commander Leroy, who was attacked by the other
Their fire was CALAMITY returned, but she'll ex-
Ilodlg in the forehold OF this vessel, che was set
pn iile.
under, when he steere~ again for the iron elad,
having ordered on full head Of steam, determined
~ try to run her down. The guns had been trained
End depressed for plunging fire at the moment Of
collision, and tie ship had acquired speed OF
twelve knots. when a shell or shot from the enemy
fassed through both the steam chests, wholly
disabling her boilers, ana rendering her poWeless.
Ten rife shel struck the keystone State, and two
burst the quarterback; but most OF them struck
the hull, being near and below the water line.
In the mean time the Augusta, Commander Par
rott, the Quaker City, Commander Frailoy, and the
Memphis, Acting-Iieut. Watmough, kept up fire
upon the enemy, diyerting their attention from the
Keystone State, which WAS after taken in tow
by the Memphis, and drawn away from the fire.
Tie Augusta ana Quaker City were both struck
~ heir hulls,
Tie Memphis wee Only struck in her rigging.
The lI0usatOnIc gave chase and Il shot from her
struck the pilotbouse, doing, 1t Is thought, some
damage, and carrying away one of her flags.
the Rebel vessels then passed TO the northward,
receiving the fife OF ships, and took refuge in
Tie SwaSh channel behind the shoals.
TIE only casualties were on the Mercedta and the
keystone State.
On the keystone State they are very large--about
one-fourth OF her crew were killed and wounded,
und among the former is the medical officer of the
ship Assistant Surgeon Jacob III. GotWeld, who was
Scalded to death, while rendering surgical aid to
one OF the wounded men.
Most of those who died persisted from the escape
Of steam when the boilers and steam chimneys were
penetrated ard among the wounded the greater NUM-
Der received their iuj uries from the came cause.
As the Mercedlta was the only vessel that surren-
dered have directed a Court Of Inquiry to examine
into the circumstance Of the as well ss into the
terms under which the surrender was made. This
investigation has been asked for by Capt. Stell-
wagen
Ireceved this intelligence on Saturday, at 3 p. m,
by the Augusta, which ship Immediately returned to
Charleston.
The Mercedita soon after arrived and the Key
stone State, in tow Of the Memphis, when the latter
vessel was al once sent back to her station.
The james Adger, Commander Patterson, wss
also towed back She was Just coming into Port
ROYAL, and was ordered back TO Charleston.
The PowhGtan through the commendabe zeal Of
Capt Gordon, was also got ready by o'clock p.
H. had the channel and bar buoys lighted, when
she raised out safely.
1 forward herewith copies Of the reports of Capt.
Stellwagen, Lieut.. .Commr Abbott, and Comm.
the Merced,a aud the Keystone State.
On the Mercedta there were four killed and three
wounded, and on the Keystone State twenty killed
and twenty wounded.
Very repeatedly your obedient Servant,
s. +. DUPONT, Rear.Admiral
To The Hon GIDEON WELLEs Secretary ofthe Navy.
COMMANDER sTELLwAGEN's REPORT.
The following is the report of Commander Stell.
wagon:
L. S. STEAMER MyRcEDIrA
POKT ROYAL, Jan. 81, 1861
Rear Admiral S. +. DUPoNr-Sir: have 10
report that at bali-past 4 this morning two iron
clad rams from Charleston, In the obseurity Of a
thick haze, aud the moon having just Get fsucceeded
in passing the bar near the Ship Channel, upper
ceved by the squadron, and made an attack upon
it, this ship being the first encountered
Particular vigilance was exhibited by the officers
and crew in the expectation OF vessel 10 run the
blockade
AZ 8 o'clock iu tho morning we had slipped our
cable and overhaued troop steamer running for
tie channel. Al 4 O'Clock laid down. Lieutenant
Commander Abbott was on deck giving an order to
Acting Master Dwyer, about Tecoy ering the anchor
when they saw smoke and the faint appearance OF
o vessel close at hand.
I heard them exclaim "She has black smoke -
"Watch man the guns" "Spring the rattle %
"Call all hands 10 quartersV
Mr. Dwyer came to the cabin door, telling NO
"a steamboat was close aboard"
was then in the get OF getting my pea.jGcke,,
and slipped it on as | followed him out. / jumped
10 the poop ladder; saw the smoke and low boat,
apparently q tug, although thought it might be n
little propeller for The squadron.
sang out, " Train your guns right IN tiIn-be
ready TO fire az coon as i order"
! hailed tie steamer, "Ahoy, Send clear Of US
and heeye 10. What steamer 10 ,hatp l then Or
dered my men 10 fire on him, and told aim You
WI be into us. What steamer Is tina: 7"
His answer 10 the first and second hal was
d" Halloo y The Other replies we're indisiiuet,
either by intention Or from bG ing spoken Inside )f
bis mail armOr until IN tie act Of striking IA with
bis PROV, when he said, This ia The Confederate
STATE sSieam Ram"