Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1863-05-14

thew show the terrible nature Of the fire to
which the feet Of lron-clads was exposed, and
the injuries they suffered, entirely excupate
Admiral Dupont from all blame for not at once
renewing the attack, as we'll as the gallant cap
,ains who surrounded him, and who were strong
in the opinion that the Monitors were too
much disabled to try it again the next day
without repairs. The facts which We state
will be new to many of our readers, and will,
wa are sure, remove misconceptions from many
minds. When Che iron-c clad feet Withdrew
from the fight on the evening OF April TIN, and
before the extent and variety OF Injuries were
known, there was no commander who did not
feel sure that the attack would be renewed the
next morning. Admiral dupont himself, with
determination and enthusiasm, announced such
an intention that night, stating, further, that
he designed to lead the new attack III person
with the New lronsides, although she was
known to be rather uuwiedy for that narrow
and shoal channel. It was after this intention
was announced that the captains Of the Monl-
tors informed him of the extent OF their ln]u-
RES. and represented 10 him the lmposslblllty
of renewing The fight without considerable re-
pairs. Delay, absolutely necessary delay, was
Thns occasioned at once The Keokuk was re-
ported sunk; and five of the Monitors SO bat
tered as to be comparatively useless and help
less. The Nantucket, Capt. Fairfax vessel,
was struck ffty~three times, the rifle shot
breaking through the deck plating into the
wooden deck and starting the bolts; the tur-
ret was struck twenty three times, SIX or seven
heavy rife shots striking near the ports, one
tanning the port stopper, and disabling the
ffteen-inch gun at the third fire; the debris OF
iron and bolts, falling under the turret, caused
it to lam, and prevented It's revolving while
she was in the very hottest fire. The armor OF
the smoke~stack was SO badly cut as to inter-
fere with the draft.
Both the Nahant and the Passaic had the
TOD of the pilot house knocked off; the Wee
havken was badly battered the Patapsco had
her rihed gun disabled, and ii took thirty-six
hoars. after she withdrew, to set it in order
again. Such were some of the results Of the
action.
Besides these actualities Of the combat, what
was learned by the vessels Of the distractions,
nv coming in contact with them, made new
r,reparations and great caution necessary
These distractions extend from Fort Sun ter
to Fort Moultrle, across the main channel, and
consist cf several rows Of floats, Of haWsers and
nets and beyond are piles driven just below
the surface of the water, to which torpedoes
are attached. These formidable Instructions
the Weehawken and Patapsco endeavored to
remove, WITHOUT SuCCtsS LuS iok SAplOueO
two small 3orpedoes in her attempt. When
the eigh. iron-clad vessels came up, to these
obstructions, and were stopped by them, the
concentrated fire Of Fort SUMTER Fort Moul
trie. Fort Beauregard, Battery Bee, Cummings
Point-in all, probably two hundred heavy
guns, well protected-was brought to bear upon
them. With regard to Mr.. Ericsson's lngee-
NOUS continuance for blowing up torpedoes, it
seems there is some difficulty IN practice which
vas entirely unanticipated The experiment
was made Nv attaching the raft to the bows Of
the Weehawken, and then she would not steer.