Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1863-10-15


lows 4a aaut a
Charleston Harbor, Oct TO-
On Monday night last a daring but un-
successful attempt was made by the rebels
TO destroy the frigale New lronsides, lying
near Fort M0ultrie, by a torpedo.
They employed for this purpose smn,
aud very swift steamer, cigarrshanc "a "a
showing but very small ~ 80 gnu
the water. She was NJ rnad ~ ~ W." cro,v
of four persons, o. ,asisting Of Ii Gassett
VINO was the commander Of the party, an
engineer named Toombs, fireman named
seoH. and pilot whose name is unknown
at the present writing.
This steamer el1ded the picket boats of
oul fleet by passing close into the shore of
Sulliv2n's Island. She then made d.
reetly across the harbor and came up to
the Ironsides without attracting any at
tention.
She struck the vessei fairly amidships,
exploding a torpedo containing % pounds
of rifle powder at the moment of contact.
The rebel steamer was undoubtedly sunk
either by the force of the collision or by
our shot.
1t Gassett jumped overheard and swan
to a schooner. He and the fireman Scott
are now prisoners on board the guard
ship.
LIT Gassett was formerly in our navy.
He says that the explosion of the torpedo
drove the steamer under SO that the water
ran into her smoke stack and put out the
fires.
The torpedo was suspended to the boats
OF the rebel steamer so as to strike the
lronsides under the water. The explosion
was severely felt on the Ironsides, but no
material damage was done to her hull, en-
gIne or armament.
One man had his leg broken, and one
of the bulkheads of the vessel was knocked
down an injury which can be repaired
here.
The Ironsides was Immediately pre-
pared for action by Capt Rowan, and she
is now as effective as ever. She is now
regarded here as torpedo proof. She
opened fire with musketry on the rebel
vessel and In few minutes fired two of
her larger guns.
A musket shot fired from the rebel
steamer dangerously wounded Ensign
Charles Howard, of the Ironsides, who
was officer Of the deck at the time.
The bottom of the Ironsides has been
examined by divers, and found to be who'll
ly uninjured.
The rebel engineer Toombs, formerly of
our navy, and the pilot of the rebel steam
er, are supposed to be drowned.
On Tuesday night it was supposed that
the rebels meditated second attack on
the Ironsides.
A boat of the same kind, believed to
have been a small steamer, approached
our picket line, but was discovered and
driven off after some firing.
The rebels greatly dread the IronsIdes,
and it is said that the people Of Charleston
nave offered reward Of 100000 in gold
for her destruction
Gen Gilmore and Admiral Dahlgreeu
have both paid brief visit to Port ROYAL.
While there Gen Gilmore visited the flag
ship with a band, and serenaded the adj
mlral. This incident shows how little
truth there is in the story of i'll feeling be-
tween these two distinguished officers.
They are and always have been in hourly
intercourse by signals.
There has been the usual firing during
the past week, principally by the rebel
batteries.
Gen Gilmore occasionally replies to the
James Island batteries, or throws shell
into Fort Sumter.
Inc Signs are encouraging for a re-
newal Of active operations.