Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-01-12
LATs NORTHERN NEWS.

We make up an interesting summary irom Nortnern
papers of the 9th and It'll Of January
FULL PARTICULARS OF THE LOSS OF THE hosIroH
The Baltimore Amsriean's correspondent ct Fortress
Monroe, gives the following account of the ioss Of the
ironclad steamer Monitor obtained from her oscers
We left Fortress Monroe on Monday, 29th December,
in tow of the steamer Rhode Island With the Passac In
tow of the steamer State Of Georgia. Passed Cape
Henry on Thursday afternoon, at i've o'clock, with
smooth sea aud light winds, The PasSale was lIus
way ahead The weather continued fine Until five o'clock
on Tuesday morning when il commenced 70 blow from
the s. W., with heavy sea running, making = clean
sweep over all At $50 Cape Hattsras light bore Mn
w., distance twenty miles, the gale still increasing
The vessel abored very heavily, the hull coming down
on every With fearful violence UPo this ane the
Worhingipn pump aud the slse injectos were entrsy
competent to keep the vessel free. So. II .
o'clock several heavy struck the vessel IN sue
cesson when word was sent from the engine room that
the water gaining on the pumps Orders were inc
giyen to start the Adams Centrifugal puuapcapabe OF
throwing three thousand gallons oil wafer per
For while the water appeared to be kept under In
short time however, word was passed from the engine
room thai the water was again gaining on the pumps,
and was at that time up to the ash pits, stopping IN
great measure the draft. The water at this time was
Standing two feet deep upon the ward-roon moor An
hands were set TO work with every bucket at hand 10
bail. The water however, kept gaining upon the pumps
until within foot of the fire in the furnaces.
Costar signal was then flashed TO call the attention
of the Rhode Island 10 our condition. After much de-
Law consequent upon the heavy sea running boat Was
lowered from the Rhode Island and semitic assistance
Afsr several trials she succeeded in getting alongside
of us. The Rhode Island. at the saps time, in going
astarn caught her launch between her aide and eur
vessel crushing the boat badly and brining her own
counter very heavily down upon our side. For q lime
she could not move her engine getting the centre
She finally started ahead and the launch smashed as
III. was succeeded in carrying safely TO the steamer
thirS of the crew ofthe Monitor
Alter the departure Of the launch those Remaining on
board worked at the buckets with a WILL The gale at
thi. time was raging furiousy, the seas maxim. clean
sweep over the top of the turre The water at this
juncture, had succeeded in rising up to the CRATE
bar in the furnace and was gradually extngushng the
fire. The steam in the boilers consequently run down
and the pumps could not be worked for want Of suff
cisnt steam.
At this time three boats we're discovered coming
wards the vessel Word passed that boats were at
hand sufficient TO take all from the VESSEL
The Monitor was now sinking. Every pump was
stoned and her deck under water Several Of the
crew. In coming off the turre were swept by the waves
TO leeward and must have pefishsd as no assistance
could be rendered them. The boats were then showed
off from the sinking vessel Although several times en-
treated to come down and get into the bosts some OF
the crew, stupefed with fear, remained standing upon
the turret afraid Of being swept from the deck.
The boats succeeded in reaching the Rhode Island In
safety, and all in them we're put on board
4 picked crew. with the gallant officer of the Rhode
Island Mr. Brown then showed off in the launch TO re-
turn to the Monitor The moon, which up TO this time
had been throwing some light upon the waves shut
in by dense masses OF black clouds
At quarter to one o'clock in the morning the Mont
tors light disappeared beneath the waves
The Rhode Island then started for the spot where the
Monitor wa, seen go down Costars signals were con-
stantly kept burning and strict lookout kept up in all
parts Of the vessel to catch glimpse, if possible OF the
missing boat. =
At daylight nothing SEGA on the waves and, with
heavy heart around the spot, as near as could
be judged where the Monitor had disappeared until late
in the afternoon
Several steamers aud other vessels were spoken, TO
learn if possible the fate of the missing boat bat none
could be had. susie. :
The survivors reached Fortress Monroe last evening
in the Rhode Island Nothing whatever was saved, e1-
cept the apparel the officers and crew stoodiR.
The Rhode Islands boat (6rst cntter) referred TO
above contained William Brown, Masters Mate, and
seven of the crew. whose we have not been able
to ascertain. They have not been heard of up TO this
time There is possibility that they may have sue
ceeded in reaching the Monitor and taken OF some more
of the crew. and afterwards been picked up by some
coasng vessels, Is there were number passing the
ueyt morning.