Daily national Republican., 1863-01-05
u. OFFICIAL uISTORY
or IBn
Loss OF, THE MONITOR.
III 6 us. sgs,,i.p nHQDr 1ssAyp.
J. srEiNER RHoDF IsLLNDI


8. W.; weather clear and pleasant, and every
prospect OF its continuation. Passed Cape
Henry ate p. m.-water smooth and every
thing looking wen.
During the night the weather continued the
same until a. m, when we began to experience
swell from the southward, with a slight In
crease Of the wind from, the 8. W., the sea
breaking over the pilot house forward, and
| striking the base Of the "tower," but not with
suhiclent force to break over IL. Found that
the packing Of oakum under and around the
base Of the tower had loosened somewhat from
the working Of tho tower as the vessel pitched
and rolled. Speed at this time about 3 knots.
Ascertalnod from the engineer Of the watch that
the bilge pumps kept her perfectly free, ocea-
slona.ly "Euckiug.n Felt no apprehension at
the lime. The weather during the day, and
until p. NJ, was variable, with occasional
squalls OF wind aud rsiI, and towards evening
the swell somewhat decreased, the bilge pumps
being found amply suficent 10 keep her clear
Of the water that penetrated through the sight
holes Of the pilot house, hawser hole, end base
OF tower, (all of which had been well cAulked
previous TO leaving.) At 7.30 the wind hauled
more to the south, Increasing 10 strength and
causing the sea 70 rise. Computed position at
thir time about IS miles sonth Of Cape Hatteras
shoals. Found the vessel towed badly, ySwlng
very much, and with the increased motion
making somewhat more water around the base
Of the tower. Ordered engineer TO put on the
Worthlngton pump bllge Injection aud get the
centrifugal pump ready and report me lmme-
d!ately II he perceived any increase Of the
water. ... a.r..
s p. m.-The sea, about this time, COM
menced to rise very rapidly, causing the vessel
to plunge heavily, completely submerglng the
pllot-house and washing over and into the tur.
ret, and, at times, into the blower pipes. OBJ
served that when she rose TO the swell the fat
under-surface OF the projecting armor would
/ tasfth aanain0 n anNptd-
cradle shock TO the vessel and turret, thereby
looscnng still more the packing around Its
base. SignaliZed several times to the Rhode
Island TO stop, In order that might ascertain
II, by so doing, she would ride easier or de-
crease the influx Of water, hut could perceive
no difference, the vessel falling of Immediately
into the trough Of the sea and rolling heavily.
The engineer, at this time, reported that II
would he necessary to start the centrifugal
pump, as the others Ialled TO keep the water
under. Ordered him to do 30 Immediately, and
report to me the effect. Sea continued 10 rise,
the vessel striking heavily forward. The en-
gineor reported that the pumps were all work
ing well, but produced no effect upon the wa
: ter, which, by this time, had risen several
inches above the level of the englne-room floor.
About 1890 p. M, having given the pumps
a fair trial, and finding the water gaining rap
idly upon us, determined to make the precon-
certed signal Of distress, which was lmmedl-
up close TO her, and reported that the water
was gaining rapidly upon us, and requestedhe
commander to send boate TO take off the crew.
Finding that the heavy steam cable, used to
tow the Monitor, rendered the vessel unman'
agesble, while hanging slack to her bow, and,
being under the absolute necessity Of working
the engines 10 keep the pumps going, ordered
It to be cut, and ran down close under the lee
Of the Rhode Island, at times almost touching
her.
Water continued to gain upon the pumps and
was now above the "ash pits" Two boatf
reached us from the RhodI Island, when or.
dered Lient. Green TO put as many men into
them as they would safely carry. While get
ting the men into the boats "a very dangerous
operation caused by the heavy sea breaking en-,
tirely over the deck) the vessels touched slight
", nearly crushing the boat and endangerlnl
the Rhode Island herself as our sharp bow and
sides wonld undoubtedly have stove her neai
the waters edge, had she struck upon us heayl
T IL. The Rhode Island steamed slightly ahead
and the vessels separated a short distance. Al
II. 80, my engines working slowly and all th'
! pumps In full play; hut water gaining rapidly
sea very heavy and breaking entirely over th'
vessel, rendering II extremely hazardous 10 leay
the suTet, In fact ctseveral men were supposed T.
have been washed overheard at the time.
; While waiting for the boats TO return, the en-
g. ginecr reported that the engines had ceased u
work. and shortly after all the pumps stopped
also. the water putting out the fires and having
no pressure of steam. A bailing party had beer
previously organized, not so much with any
hope Of diminishing the water, but more as an
occupation for the men, The engine being
) stopped and no longer able to keep the vesse
head to sea, che having fallen of into the trough
and rolling so heavily as TO render II lmPOssi
bic for boats to approach US, ordered the an
chor to be let go and all the chain given her IL
| hops that It might bring her mp. Fortunatel!
IL did so. and she once more swung round heaC
10 wind By this time finding the vessel filling
rapidly and the deck on a level with the water
= ! ordered all the men left on board to leave tn
BuTret and endeavor 10 get into the two boat
which were then approaching up. think a
that time there were abOuttwenty-Aye or thirtl
I men on hoard.
The boats approached very cautiously, as thu
sea was breaking upon our now submerged
deck with great violence, washing several mel
overheard, one of whom was afterwards pickeC
up by the boats. secu. I'd the painter Of on
Of the boats (Which by the use of Its oars wa
prevented from striking the side) and made a
a many get into her as she would safely hold Il
the heavy sea that was running. There wer
several men still left upon and ln the turret
who, either stupefed by fear or fearful OF belni
D washed overheard In the attempt 10 reach tn
. boats, would not come down, and are supposed
q TO have gone down In the vessel. Feeling tina
] had done everything In my pOwertO save tn
= vessel and crew, ] jumped into the alresd!
deeply laden boat, and left the Monitor, who's
: heavy, sluggish motion gave evidence that shI
u could float but O BhoH time longer. shortl,
:, after We reached the Rhode Island she diFap
peGred.
: must testify TO the untirinR efforts and yea
\ displayed ny Capt. T'renchard and ais officers
g In their attempts 10 rescue the crew Of q.
J. Monitor. II was an extremely hazardous nm
J, dortaking, rendered particularly 80 by th
: heavy SEQ and the difficulty in approaching III
Monitor.
While Gegret'ing those that were lost, II
;, still matter Of congratulation that 20 man!
= were saved under the circumstances. Ther
y is some reason TO hope that q boat which
:, still missing may have succeeded In savinI
. those left on board, or may have reached th
4 vicinity Of the vessel In time 10 have picked u
= some Of them after she went down. Upo
= mastering the officers and crew on board III
/, Rhode Island, four officers aud twelve me
y were found TO he missing, a list Of whom
II herewith enclose, as well as the report Of Se'
- - ond Assistant Engineer Waters, acting chi,
= engineer. .H. ... .. .
h am firmly Of the opinion that the Monte
z must have sprung a leak somewhere In III
e ht1I ri IN