Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-01-09
FnRrnrss MoNrnr. Jan. 4

fOkIRESs MONROE, Jan. =.
Some particulars of the loss of the Monitor
are gathered from the officers and crew. She
left here Dec 20, in tow of the Rhode Is
land with the Passaic in tow of the State OF
Georgia. They passed Cape Henry Monday
afternoon over a smooth sea, the Passaic a
little ahead The weather continued fne I'M
til five clock Tuesday evening, when 1t COM
menced to blow from the Southwest, with a
heavy sea running, making clean sweep over
all.
At $50 p. m. Cape Hatteras light bore
north, northwest, distant twenty miles. The
heavily, the upper hull coming down upon
every sea with fearful violence. Up to this
time the pumps, &c, kept the vessel free.
At 10 p. m. several heavy seas struck the
vessel in succession, when word was sent
from the engineer room that the water was
gaining on the pumps. Orders were then
given to start Adams centrifugal pump, cap
able Of throwing three thousand gallons an
hour.
For awhile the water appeared to be kept
under. In a short time, however, word was
/ passed from the engine room that the water
was again gaining on the pumps, and was
then up to the ashpits, stopping in great
measure the draft The water at this time
was standing two feet deep upon the ward
room floor.
AN hands then set to work with every
available bucket at hand to bail the water
however kept gaining until within foot Of
the fires in the furnace. A Costan signal was
then fred to call the attention of the Rhode
Island. After much delay, consequent upon
the heavy sea, a boat was lowered from the
Rhode Island and sent to our assistance.
After several trials she got alongside of us
The Rhode Island at the same time in going
aslern caught her launch between her own
side and our vessel crushing the boat badly
and bringing her own counter down heavily
upon our side For time she could no,
move, her engine getting on a centre. She
finally started ahead, and the launch smash.
ed as she was, succeeded in conveying safely
to the steamer 80 of the crew of the Monitor
After the departure of the launch those
remaining aboard worked at the buckets with
a will.
The gale was raging furiously, the seas
making clear sweep over the top of the tur.
ret The water at this uncture had risen tc
the gate bars of the furnace, and gradually
extinguished the fires
The steam consequently run down, and the
pumps could not be worked for want of sufi-
cient steam Three boats were now discover.
ed coming toward the vessel. Word was
passed that the boats at hand were sufficient
TO take all from the vessel. The Monitor
was now sinking; every pump was stopped
and her deck was under water. Several in
coming off the turret were swept by the
waves to leeward and must have persisted, as
no assistance could be rendered them.
The boats then showed off from the sinking
vessel Although several times entreated to
ccme down and get into the boats, several re-
NAMED standing upon the turret, afraid Of
being swept from the deck. They were stu.
pi6ed with fear. The boa.s reached the
Rhode Island in safety, and all in them got
aboard
picked crew, with gallent officer of the
Rhode Island, Mr.. Brown, then showed of
in a launch to return to the Monitor. The
moon, which up to this time had been throwing
some light upon waves, was shut in by dense
mass OF black clouds.
At one o'clock in the morning the Monitors
light disappeared beneath the waves. The
abode Island then started for the spot where
he Monitor was seen to go down. Costan's
signals we're constantly kept burning aud q
'trict look out Kept upon all parts Of the yes
el to catch glimpse Of the missing boat
At daylight nothing was seen on the water
nd with a heavy heart we ran around the
pot, as near as we could judge. where the
lonitor disappeared, until late in the after
Don. Several steamers and other vessels
ere spoken to learn, if possible, ,he fate Of
re missing boat, but none could be had.
The survivors reached Fortress Monroe
'st night in The Rhode Island. Nothing
hatever was saved except the apparel of the
Ulcers and crew which they had on. The
nduct Of both the officers and men of the
lontor is beyond reproach. No sign of a
anic was visible.
Each stood at his post, confident in his
mmander, aud 1t was hard to prevail upon
re men to get into the boat, each willing to
'smsin by her 20 the last.