Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1863-01-14

EOihEt OiuNltu ~ w ~
cut, and ran down close under the lee o
the Rhode Island, at times almost touch
ing her. Voter continued to gpiu upor
the pumps ana was now above the ash
pits
Two boats reached us from the Rhod,
Islaud, when ordered It. Greene to pu
as many men into them as they woulc
safely carry. While getting the men into
the hoats-a very dangerous operation
caused by the heavy sea breaking entirely
over the deck-the vessels touched slight
| ly,neTaly crushing the boat and endan
geIiuG the Rhode Island herself, as oul
sharp bow and sides would undoubtedly
have stove her near the waters edge. hao
she struck upon us heavily. The Rhode
Island steamed slightly ahead and the YES.
sci, separated a short distance.
Al haIt.past eleven my engines working
slow ly and all the pumps III full play, but
the water gaining rapidly, soa very heavy
and breaking entirely over the vessel
rendering it extremely hazardous 10 leave
! the turTet. In fact several men were
supposed 10 have been washed overheard
at the time. While waiting for the boats
! TO return, the engineer reported that the
engines had ceased 10 work, and shortly
after al! the pumps stopped also, the wa>
ter putting out the fires and having no
pressure Of sleam. A baling party had
previously been organized, no: 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 vessels head to sea. she
having fallen off into the trough and roll
ing 50 heavily as TO render it impossible
TO: boats TO approach us, | ordered the
anchor to be let 20 and all the chain given
her, in hopes that it might bring her up.
Fortunately II did so, and she once more
swung round head to wind. BY this time,
finding the vessel filling rapidly and the
deck on Il level with the water, ordered
all men left on board TO leave the turret
and endeaVor TO get into the two GOATS
which were then approaching us. ! think
at that time there were atout twenty five
or thirty men on board. The boats ap,
preached very cautiously, as the sea was
bre1king upon our now submerged deck
with Great violence, Washing several men
overheard, one of whom was afterwards
picke up by lie boats. secured the
painter ot one Of the boats, which by the
use o. lis oars was prevented from striking
the side. uhd made as many get into her
rs she would safely hold in the heavy SEA
that was running. There were several
men left upon and in the turret, who,
either stupihed by fear. or fearful OF being
washed overheard in the attempt to reach
the boats, would not come down, and
n 10 i a..
vessel. Feeling that had done every
thing IN my power To rave the vessel and
crew, jumped INFO the already deeply
laden boat and left the Monitor, whose
heavy, sluggish motion, gave evidence
that she could float but short time long.
or. Shortly after we reached the Rhode
Island she disappeared.
must testify to the untiring efforts
and zeal displayed by Captain Trenchard
and his officers in their attempts to res
cue the crew of the Monitor. 1t was an
extremely dangerous undertaking, len-
dered particularly so by the heavy sea
and the difficulty in approaching the
Monitor. While regrettng those that
were lost, it is still matter Of congratu.
lltion that so many were saved under the
circumstances. There il reason to hope
that boat, which is still missing, may
have succeeded in saving those on board,
or may have reached the vicinity Of the
vessel in time to have picked up some
OF them after she went down.
Upon mastering The officers and crew
on board the Rhode Island, four officers
and twelve men were found TO be missing,
a list of whom herewith enclose, rs well
as the report Of second Assistant Engi>
neer Waters, acting Chief Engineer.
am firmly Of the opinion that the
Monitor must have sprung leak someN
where in the fnreward part where the
null joins on to the armOr, and that it
was caused by the heavy shocks she re.
celvCd as She came down EpUn the sea
THE bllge pumps alone, Ip 10 seven 7 81.
had easily kept her free and whra wa
lind that all her pumps, short tune tt,
ter, with am'o mum capacity 'ftwD lhous
aud gallons per minute, not only falou
to dlminIsa he water but on the cons
trarv, made 10 perceplibie change IN its
gradual increace, we must come 10 the
conclusion that tt ere are, at least, good
grounus Tor my opinion.
peIoIS CloslnB iuy report, must TESTIFY
to the coolness, prompt obeG ence and ab.
sence OF any approach 10 panic on the part
Of the officers, and. with but few excep.
tons, on that Of the crew, many of whom
were at sea Tor the first time, and it must
be admitted, under circumstances that
were well calculated TO appal tho boldest
heart. | would beg leave to call atten>
tion of the Admiral and of the depart.
ment TO the particularly good conduct of
Lieutenant Greene and Acting Master l.. |
n. Siodder, who remained with me until
the last, and by their bearing did much
towards inspiring confidence and obedi.
ence on the part OF others. | must also
mention favorably Acting Masters Mate
Peter Williams and Richard Anjior,
Quartermaster, who both showed on that
occasion the highest qualities ofmen and
,eamen. The latter rema ned Mt his .,ost
~ the wheel when the vessel was sinking
and when told by me to get into the
boat, he replied, mo, sir; not ull yon
go" he officers and crew have lost ev-
'ry'aing but the clothes they wore at the
.imr tLey were rescued.