Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-03-11
The Destruction af the NashvilIe.'A sDlsn'
did Success fer the Navy

March lst, we quote the following regard
lug the destruction by Capt. WOrden Of the
much vaunted and dreaded Nashville:
"It will be remembered that eight months
have elapsed since the Nashville managed
to run the blockade and find refuge in the
waters that now close over her wreck. At
ter discharging her cargo, she was first
loaded with a thousand bales of cotton, in
expectation of an egress as successful as
her entrance. The keen watch, however,
the blockaders kept over her movements
resulted in as many failures as she made
attempts to escape to sea. Despairing of
that venture, the rebels finally converted
her into an armed vessel, with view to
her use for piratical purposes. In that
character she appeared at the mouth o.
the 0geeche river, under the protection
of the guns of Fort McAllister, some
weeks ago.
"The wooden blocksding vessels, how
ever, kept her at bay until the advent of
the Montauk, upon whose appearance she
incontineutIy retired beyond reach some
miles up the Ogeechee. Here she lay un-
til last Friday, when, emboldened no doubt
by the Montauk's failure to demolish the
fort, and taking advantage of a thick fog,
she essayed again to find her way past the
bloekaders and out to sea. But what the
enemy expected to serve as a means of his
unobserved escape, was destined to prove
the cause of her destruction. She got
aground in the fog, within short dis
tance in range of the fort, and was discOv-
cred in that predicament from the Montauk.
Captain Worden at once proceeded to avail
himself Of the unexpected turn of good
fortune that had placed the object of his
long solicitation at his mercy.
"After giving the orders required by the
occasion to the wooden vessels, he stood
ran his Monitor as close to the obstruc-
tions as practicable, and found himself
able, to his great delight, to come within
1,200 yards Of his prey. As soon as the
Montauk had got in motion the fort
opened furious fire from all its guns
But her Commander, without replying to
it. steadily continued his course up to the
obstructions. While the Montauk was
steaming ahead, the wooden gunboats COM
menced engaging the fort, and under the
diversion of the rebel fire cou=ted by them,
she brought her guns TO bear upon the
Nashville. The first two or three expert
mental shots missed the mark, but the
proper range being obtained, she soon sent
one after the other of her l3-ineh and To-
inch shells into the doomed steamer. The
fourth shell, a l5-inch, burst in her and
set her on fire. The flames spread rapidly
and speedily heated her guns so as to cause
their charge TO explode. Soon another
chnll runnh 4b roT7rrb ha,. o. 10
etrating to her powder magazine and pro-
duciRg fearful explosion, that finished
the work of destruction.
"Such is the substance of Captain Wor-
denis official report to Admiral Dupont,
brought here last night by the gunboat
Her officers represent the
burning and blowing up of the Nashville
to have been sight grand beyond deserip-
ton. Let the praise SO justly due for this
brilliant success, be equitab'y meted out To
Dupont, who never for moment
since last Summer, forgot the Importance
Of preventing the escape of the sunken
steamer; to Captain " orden for the prompt
ness with which he improved, and to the
officers and men of the Seneca, Wissahick-
on, and the other blockading vessels, for
the fsithfulness with which they prepared
the opportunity for the destruction Of the
rebel craft, that, but for these trusty pub
lie servants, might have become no less
severe a scourge to our commerce than the
Alabama. Let it be hoped, also, that this
,reditable achievement will carry convic-
ion of the folly of hasty Judgment, to |
hose that have censured Admiral Dupont !
iOr not attempting the practical impossi- |
oility Of keeping the Monitors on block |
lding duty off Charleston, and shame them |
INTO an Acknowledgment of the grievous
wrong they have perpetrated. How would |
he raTages inflicted upon our commercial |
marine, if the Nashville had got to sea,
lave compared with the damage done by |
he unseaWorthy Charleston rams to cur
navy?
"The rebel shot did neither the Montauk
Tor the wooden vessels engaged any ma
erial damage. No casualties are report
ID on our side The Nashville had evident |
y been abandoned by her crew.
without having any knowledge of what /
vents were about occurring in the Ogee-
he river, the Admiral had day before yes
erdsy ordered the Monitors Patapsco and
Sahant to the 0ssabow for the purpose of
rying their batteries and general fighting
qualities in an experimental demonstration /
.gainst the rebel defenses in that vicinity. |
)ne left yesterday, and tie other this morn
ng in tow of gunboats. The steamer Err
lesson is expected to follow them, towing
nortar-bosts. 1t is more than probable, |
n view of the triumph of the Montauk
,ver the Nashville, another attack upon /
Fort McAllister will be made as soon as
he Nahant and Patapsco will have reach
d their destination There is also q re-
,ort in circulation that an attempt will be
made to get with the Monitors at the iron
lad ram Fingal through the obstruction
n Wilmington river. These naval often
i've demonstrations are but the prelude to
he grand aggressive movement by land
nd sea, which, according to all appear
noes, will Immediately follow these open
ng ruses of the campaign"