The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1863-01-16

rat1Ve OF one OF the Survivors
BALTIMoRE, Jan. S. The Americans
special Fortress Monroe letter, dated
January 4, says;
In conversation with several Of the Of
fcers and crew of the Monitor, gath
cred the following narrative Of the facts
attending the loss of that noble little
vessel and SO many Of her crew
"We left. Fortrfss Monroe on Mon
day, the 10Th Of December, in tow of the
steamer Rhode Island, with the Passaic
in tow of the state Of Georgia. We
passed Cape Henry Monday afternoon
at five O'clock, with smooth sea and
light wind. The Passaic was little way
ahead. The weather continued fine un-i
til Eve o'clock Tuesday evening, when
it commemorate blow from the south
west, with heavy sea running, making
a clean sweep over all.
AT $3.50 Cape Hatteras bore N. N.
W. distant 90 miles The gale still in
creased. The vessel labored very heav-
lily, the upper hulls coming down upoa
every sea with fearful violence. Up to
this time the Worthington pumps and
bile injectors were entirely competent to
keep the vessel free.
"At 10 o'clock several heavy seas
struck the vessel in succession, when
word was sent from the engine rooms
that the water was gaining on the pumps.
Orders were then given to start Adams
centrifugal pump, capable of throwing
1900 gallons of water per minute. For
while the water appeared to be kept
under.
"In short time, however, word was
passed from the engine room that the
water was again gaining on the pumps,
and was at that time up to the ash pits,
in great measure stopping the draft
The water at this time was standing two
feet deep on the wardroom floor.
"All hands were then set to work with
every bucket at hand to bail. Water,
however, kept gaining upon the pumps
until within q foot of the fires in the
furnaces.
"A 'Coston' signal was then flashed
to coll the attention of the Rhode Is
land to our condition. After much de-
lay, consequent upon the heavy sea run
ming, boat was lowered from her aud
sent to our assistance. After several
trials she succeeded in getting along
side Of us.
"The Rhode Island at the same time
in going astern, caught her launch be-
tween her own side and our vessel, crush
ing the boat badly and bringing her own
! counter very heavily down upon our side,
For time she could not move her en-
gine. Getting on center, she finally
started ahead, and the launch, smashed
as it was, succeeded in conveying to the
steamer thirty of the crew Of the Moni,
tor.
"Aftcr the departure Of the launch
those remaining on board worked the
buckets with will. The gale at this
time was raging furiouSly, the seas max
ing a clear sweep over the top of the
turret. The water at this junctnre had
succeeded in rising up to the CRATE bars
of the furnaces and was gradually ex.
tinguishing the fires The steam in the
boilers consequently ran down, and thu
pumps could not be worked for want oi
!, sufficient steam.
"At this time three boats we're discov
: cred coming toward the vessel. WorC
was passed that boats were at hand suf
ficient to take all from the vessel. TIL,
Monitor was now sinking. Every pumI
! was stopped and her deck was unde
water Several, in coming off the tur
y ret, were swept by the waves to the leo
:. ward, and must have perished, as no as
. Sistance could be rendered them
: : "The boats then showed off from tn
sinking vessel. Although entreated I
e come down and get into the boats, sev
# eral remained standing upon the turre'
q afraid of being swept from the deck, stu
N pefed with fear. The boats succeede
n in reaching the Rhode Island in safety
: . and all in them got on board
= "A,picked crew with the gallant off
j. Ger of the Rhode Island, Mr.. Brow
!. then showed off in the launch to retur
;. to the Monitor The moon, which u
e to this time had been throwing som
Q light upon the waves, was shut in b
,s dense masses Of black clouds.
: "At aquarteF to O'Clock inthe morr
" ing, the Monitors light disappeared Of
4 meath the waves. The Rhode Islam
/. then started for the spot where the MOI
!. iter was seen to go down. Coston sig
3. nails were constantly kept burning.
Is street : lookout was Kept On a!l parts