Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1863-10-14
A Gallant Naval Exploit.

exploits of the war, distinguished by the
greatest GOODNESS, presence of mind and In
trepidity of the brave men associated in the
enterprise, was performed Monday night
This was no less than an attempt to blow uE
the United States steamer New Ironsdes,
lying off Morris Island. Though not fully
meeting the expectations of those who con.
ceived the plan and those who carried it iu'
to execution, it has called forth the unbound
ed admiration of our citizens for the bril-.
liant heroism of the actors in their danger.
GUS but patriotic and selfsacrifcing under.
taking A general feeling of deep anxiety
prevails to learn the fate of two of the gal.
liant spirits who went out with the expedi.
ton. There is every reason to believe, how
ever, that these gallant men, with the
means of safety about their persons, endeav-
ored to reach shore and have been picked
up by some of the enemy's launches. We
gather the following particulars from the
other participants in the affair: .~
! The torpedo steamer David, with a crew
of four volunteers, consisting of Lieutenant
VIM. T. Glassell, J. H. Toombs,, Chief En-
gineer, and James Sullivan, Fireman of the
gun.boat Cbicora, with J. W. Cannon, AS.
sistant Pilot of the gun boat Palmetto State,
hleft South Atlantic Wharf between six and
tseyeo o'clock on Monday evening" for the
purpose of running out to the Ironsides, ex-
ploding torpedo under that vessel near
amidships, and if possible blow her up
The weather being dark and hazy favored
the enterprise. The boat with its gallant
little crew, proceeded down the harbor,
skirting 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 shoa!
near the anchorage Of the object oftheir Wis.
it. Lieut.. Glassell; with double. .barreled
gun, sat in front of Pilot Cannon, who had
charge of the helm. Chief Engineer
Toombs was at the engine, with the brave
and undaunted Sullivan, the volunteer fire.
man. .
The boat was now put bow on, aimed d.
rectly for the Ironsides. AS the little steam.
er darted forward, the lookout en- the Iron
sides hailed them, ssTake care there, you
will run into us. What steamer is that?"
Lieutenant Glassell replied by dischareing
one barrel at the Yankee sentinel, and ten
dering the gun to Pilot Cannon, and told
him there was another Yankee, pointing to
one with bis body half over the bulwarks,
and asked Cannon to take care of him with
the other barrel. The next moment, they
had struck the Ironsides, and exploded the
| torpedo about fifteen feet from the keel, on
the starboard side. An immense volume of
water was thrown up, covering our little
boat, and, going through the smoke stack,
entered the furnace, and completely extin-
guished the fire. In addition to this, pieces
of the ballast had fallen in the works of the
engine, rendering it uumanageable at that
time. Volley after volley of musketry from
the crew of the Ironsides and from the
launches began to pour 10 upon them. It..
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 surrender and hailed the
enemy to that effect The Yankees, how.
ever, paid no attention to the call, but bar.
barously continued the FIRE. 1t was then
proposed to.put on their life preservers,
Jump overheard 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
The two first having on life preservers, and
the latter supporting himself on one of the
matches thrown to him by the pilot. Eu,
gineer Toombs becoming embarrassed with
his clothing in the water, got back to the
boat and was assisted in by Cannon.
The boat was then rapidly drifting from
the Ironsides. He now fortunately found
match, and lighting a torch, crept back
to the engine, discovered and removed tbe
cause of its not working, and soon got it ii
order. They then commenced to run tht
gauntlet of the monitors and launches. The
latter seemed inspired with a dread of some
thing supernatural, and opened path righ
and left for the little steamer. The Iron
sides fired two ll.inch shot at the party a
they sped away, but fired completely owe
them. The crews of the monitors whicl
the steamer was obliged to pass on her re
turn were also out, and commenced hea
W fire of musketry upon her as she wa
. passing. The launches made way evident
) ly from q wholesome regard for her explo
a sive character. Engineer Toombs and Can
+ non reached their wharf in the city abou
: midnight, fatigaed, and presenting worn
out appearance, but rejoicing at their fortu
nate aud narrow escape. The David bear
the honorable marks of thirteen bullet holes
With regard to the damage of the Iron
sides nothing positive is known. At tn
moment of striking there was great consteI
nation on board. 1t was reported that tn
T. crew in gangs were hard at work at th
r pumps all day yesterday. Small boats wer
It seen continually passing between the Iron
f sides, and the monitors. Atnightfall, how
d ever, she remained at her old anchorage.
d Such is the narrative of this brilliant al
fair, which, had it been entire success
would have rid US of the most formidabl
foe engaged in this siege. Some few hav
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