Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-10-08
rrcm The Charleston COURIER, III inst.
A Gallant Naval Exploit.


war, dapgu shed By the greatest cooness Of
mind and inFepdy OF the BRAY associated IN the
than an attempt to blow up tie United States steamer
Ironsides, lying of Morris Island Though not fully
meeting the expectations OF those who conceived the plan
who carried into execution it has called forth
the unbounded admiration Of cit zens Tor the brilliant
heroism the actors their dangerous but patriotic and
seltsacrlfeing undertaking. general feeling OF deep
e 9 e e sS sSt tier PRISONS to
reach shore and have been picked up by some OF the enc
mys launches We gather the following particulars from
The torpedo steamer David, with Of four volun-
teers consisting Of Lent. VIM Giasse, j. H. Ioombs,
hiet Engineer and James sullivan, Fireman Of The gun.
boat Chcoa wi J. W. Cannon Assistant Pilot Of the
gunboat Palmetto state lett south Atlantic whalf BET ween
six and O'Clock Monday evening, for the pose
running to the roasides exploding torp do ulder
that vessel near auidshps and possible boz" her up.
The boat with lis aant little crew proceeded down the
harbor skirng along the shoals the sde of the chan
mel un nearly abreast OF their o mda5e antagonist the
Ne Iro. des.
they remained this position short tine circDg
around large sho the aDchorge IF the object
of their visit. Lieu. Gassel with baTreiied gun
sat in front of Pilot cannon, VII, had charge off the helm
Chief Engineer Toomhs engine, with the brave
and unGaunted e9 gan the volunteer fireman, "ten seine
hing like the following ccbve' cation ensued:
Lieut. Glsssen"l Il is now o'clock. Shall We strike
her 7"
Prot Cannon" That s what We came for am ready
Engineer 1oombs -" Let 80 at IeE, en, and DO our
best
g. su n5Sas FieH"r 'n with "" Sill and waiting
The boat was nos pit b.77 en- ard aimed directly fo
ookout the Iropsides hailed lEem III TAKE care
asse replied by dischsrens ore b4rre 1t the
NEIL end rendering the eun to Pos Cannon told nm the
over the buikwas and asked take OF hin,
with the other barre!
The next moment tiev had struck the Trorsdes aud
pOded the Orpe3O about fifteen teet from the keel on the
sarboard side An immense volume ct water was thrown
up, covering little boat and going through the smoke
stack entered the fm mace. aGd cempstey ext guihed
the fire.
time Noey alter yol!ey 1nusietr2 the
them Lieutenant Glesse gave Inc order to back, bnt 1t
was found Impossible. IN his condition. with no shelter
and hope Of escape they thought it best to eGder
eu! hal d tie enemy that Tne Yankees how
ever paid attention the call but barborousy contin
ued the he 1t was Een proposed TO put on Their NE ore
servers, jump over beard and ende2Tor to swim TO The
unable to swim said he would stay ard take lis chances
IN the boat. Lieut.. Giasse, Engineer ToombS and u
lite preservers, and the latter supporting himself one
OF The Latches. thrown te him ~ tie Pilot: Engineer
water got back The boat and assisted in by Cannon
The boat then rap Oily dEi frcm the Irons des.-
back engine removed he
OF its not wo Ing end soon get It IN oTdsE. They then
es. Tie latter seemed inapIred with seeming dread o.
something supernaata and opened path right and LETT
for The lte The lsOnsdes fred two eleVt inch
shot ct the party tbey sued away, bus fred completely
over them. The OF The VIII Oh the
obi ged pass hen also OFT and com
menced heavy fire. of nu kerry upon her She
ing he guuc nes made way evident trcal wholcs ne
regard Tor her explosive character. Engineer Toombs
Cannon reached their wharf in the city about midnight
fatgQe0 and presenting WORKOUT appearances but TtJoc
| Ing their fortune and narrow escape.
The David bears tho honorable MARKS Of thirteen bullet
holes.
| With regard to the damage the Ironsidea nothing
positive is known At the moment Of striking there
great CONSERVATION board reported that the
crew in gangs hard gofk 1T the pumps AL day
yesterday Small boats continually passing
between the lron5ddes end the MoEitos. at Dightta
however, she remained at her Old anchorage.
Such the narrative Of this brilliant affair, which, had
been an entire success would have rid Us Of the most
formidable foe engaged 10 this siege Some few have
styled IL rash nndertakingy hut It needs just
dou Of good old city, and the country at large.