The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-10-20
THE TORPEDO TRIAL IN CHARLIE ES
s.: TON HARBOR.

The fact of an attempt to blow up the Yankee
frgate Ironsides in Charleston harbor Monday
night the 5th inst, has been published. The Char
lesion Courier gives the following account of this
daring excursion:
The torpedo steamer David, with crew of four
volunteers, consisting of Lieut.. VIM. L. Glassell,
j. II. Toombs, Chief Engineer; and James Sulli
van, Fireman of the. .gunboat Chicora, with j. w.
Cannon Assistant Pilot of the gunboat Palmetto
State, left South Atlantic wharf between and 7
o'clock on Monday evening, for the purpose Of
running out to the Ironsides, exploding torpedo
under that vessel near amidships, and if possible
to blow her up. The weather being dark and ha-
zy favored the enterprise. The boat, with It's gal
liant little crew, proceeded down the harbor, skirt
ing along the shoals On the inside of the channel
until nearly abreast of their formidable antagonist,
the New Ironsides
They remained In this position for short time,
circling around on the large shoal near the ancho
rage ofthe object of their visit.
The boat was now put:bow OIL, and aimed direct
y for the Ironsides. AS the little steamer darted
forward the lookout the Ironsides hailed tn EN-,
with "Take care there, you will run into US. What
steamer is that?" Lieut. Glassell replied by dis
charging one barrel at the Yankee sentinel, and,
rendering the gun to Pilot Cannon, told him there
was another Yankee, pointing to one with his body
half over the buwarks, and asked Cannon to
take care of him with the other barrel
The next moment they had struck the Ironsides,
and exploded the torpeoo about fifteen feet from
the keel, on the starboard side. An immense vol
ume of water was thrown up, covering cur little
boat, and going through the smoke stack, entered
the furnace, and completely extinguished the fire.
Tn addition to this, pieces of the ballast had fall
len in the works of the engine rendering it un-
manageable at that time: Voey after voey of
musketry from the crew of the Ironsides and from
the launches began to pour in upon them. Lieut.
Glassell gave the order to back, but it was found
impossible In this condition, with no shelter and
no hope of escape, they thought it best to surren
der and hailed the enemy to that effect The
yankees, however, paid no attention to the call,
out barbarously continued the fire. 1t was then
proposed to put their life preservers, jump over
board and endeavor to swim to the shore. All
but Pilot Cannon consented. The latter, being
unable to swim, said he would stay and take his
chances In the boat Lieut. Glassell, Engineer
Toombs and Sullivan, the fireman., left the boat
the two first having lie preseryers, and the
latter supporting himself on one of the matches
thrown to him by the Pilot Engineer Toombs
becoming embarrassed with his clothing In the
water. cot back to the boat and assisted in by
Cannon The boat was then rapidly drifting from
the Ironsides He now fortunately found match
and lighting torch, he crept back to the engine,
discovered and removed the cause of its not work
ing, and soon got it in order. They then COM
menced to ran the gauntlet of the monitors and
launches. The latter seemed inspired with a
dread of something supernatural, and opened
path right and left for the little steamer. The
Ironsdes fred at the boat it sped away. but the
shot went over it. The crews of the monitors,
which the steamer was obliged to pass her
turn, we're also out and commenced a heavy fire
of musketry upon her as she was passing. The
steamer with Engineer Toombs and Cannon reach
ed the wharf at Charleston about midnight. The
little steamer bears the marks Of 13 bullet holes
Lieut. Glassel and Sullivan, the fireman, were
picked up by the enemy.
With regard to the damage of the Irensides
nothing positive is known At the moment of
striking there was great CONSERVATION on board.