Delaware State journal and statesman., 1863-01-09
Loss OF lmn MONITOR

Details OF IN 9 ecataatrephs--!T -Terrille scenes |
saved-Llst OF the Missing Onicers and
seamen, Gee
FORrRrss MONROE, Jan. AIN conversation
with several officers and men of The steamer
Monitor, gather the following particulars of the
loss Of this noble vessel and so many Of her
crew
We left Fortress Monroe on Monday. 29th
December, in tow Of the steamer Rhode Island,
with the passaio in tow Of the steamer State Of
ieorgia Passed Cape Henry on Thu sday after
noon, at O'Clock, with smooth sea and hight
winds. The passaie was lutte way ahead. Tho
weather continued fine until o'clock on Tues
day morning, when il commenced to blow from
the s. W., with a heavy sea running, making a
clean sweep over nil. At 9.38 Cape Hatteras
light bore N. N. W., distance twenty miles, the
gale still increasing. The vessel labored very
heavily, the hull coming down on every sea with
fearful violence. Up to this time the Worthing-
ton pump and the bilgs injectors we're entirely
competent to keep the vessel free
Al ieu o'clock several heavy seas struck the
vessel in succession, when word was sent from
the engine-room that the water was gaining on
the pumps Orders were then given TO start the
Adams centrifugal pump, capable OF throwing
| 5000 gallons Of water per minute. For while
the water appeared to be kept under. In a short
time, however, word was passed from the engine.
room that the water was ngaiu gaining on tho
pumps, and was at that time up 10 the ash-piis,
/ stopping in great measure the draft The
water at this time was standing two feet deep
upon the ward-room floor. All hands were set
to work with every bucket at hand to bail. The
water, however, kept gaining upon the pumps
until within foot Of the fires Ia the furnaces
A Costar signal was then flashed to call the
attention of the Rhode Island 10 our condition.
After much delay, consequent upon the heavy
l.. = II. Dl,rda
Island and sent TO our assistance. After several
trials she succeeded in getting alongside Of u.s.
The Rhode Island, at the same time, in going
astern, caught her launch between her own side
and our vessel, crushing the boat badly aud
bringing her own counter very heavily down
upon our side. For time she could not move
her engine. Getting on her centre, she flnally
started ahead aud the launch, smashed as she
was, succeeded 10 carrying safely to the steamer
thirty of the crew Of the Monitor.
After the departure Of the launch, those re-
maining on board worked at the buckets with a
will. The gale at this time was raging furiously,
the seas making clean sweep over the top of
the tarret The water at this juncture had sue
cecded in rising up to the grate-bars in the fur
nace and was gradually extngushing the fire.
The steam IN the boilers consequently run down,
and the pumps could not be worked for want Of
sufficient steam.
At this time, three boats were discovered
coming towards the vessel. Word was passed
that boats were at hand sufficiently TO take all
from the vessel.
The Mouitor was now sinking Every pump
was stopped and her deck was under water
Several Of the crew in coming off the turret were
swept by the wave to leewari, AMI must have
perished, al no assistance could be rendered them
The boats were then showed of from the sinking
vessel Although several times entrented To
come down aud get into the boats, some of the
crew, stupefed with fear remained standing
upon the turret, afraid Of being swept from the
deck.
Tie boats succeeded in reaching the Rhode
Island in safety, and all of them were put on
board
picked crew. with the gallant officer of the
Rhode Island Mr.. Brown then showed oil in the
launch to return TO tue Monitor The moon,
which up 10 this time had been throwing some
light upon the waves, was shut in by dense masses
OF black clouds.
AT a quarter to one O'Clock in the mornng
the Montor'A light disappeared beneath the
waves.
The Rhode Island then started for the spot
where the Monitor was seen to 60 down. Cos
lar's sgn,ls were constantly kept burning and
u strict Lookout kept up in all parts Of the ves-
sci to catch glimpse, If possible Of the missing
boat
Al daylight nothing was seen ou the waves
and with Il heavy heart we ran around the spot
az near as could he judged, where the Mouitoi
hai disappeared, until late in the afternoon.
Several steamers and other vessels were spokeI
to learn. If possible, some ii1ings Of the fate o.
the missing boat, but none could be bad.
The survivors reached Fortress Monroe las
evening in the Rhode Island Nothing whsteve
was saved except the apparel the officers and crev
stood in.
The conduct Of both the officers and men of th
Monitor on that night was beyond reproach.-
No sign OF panic was visible Each stood to hi
rost confident in his commander, aud it wa
hard to prevail upon the men to get into tb
boats each wishing to remain by until the last