Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1863-03-05
THE IRON CLADs IN ACTION.


The Port Royal correspondent Of the New
York World says: az
The Montsuk's attack upon the
rebel battery in the Ogeeehee river has
amply demonstrated the unparalleled
strength of vessels Of her principle,
although. hitherto. the Confederate
work has resisted every attempt at re-
duction. The Montauk. during her
two days conflict, was struck 6fly-six
times, the only result being few
almost imperceptible graves. and the
displacement Of two bolts, which we're
refixed without trouble. The noise
inside the turret, when struck BY the
enemy's shot, was similar 10 that pro-
duced by knocking hammer against the
side of a house-certsinly not any
louder. This may be accounted for BY
the peculiar construction Of the tower.
II the sides of the latter were Of solid
iron, the effect would be almost stun
ming; but as they are composed Of
eleven seperate plates, the concussion
is reduced to the minimum. An Off
Ger of the ship assures me that be never
enjoyed a fight more in his life, for he
was at perfect ease the whole time.
The rebel fort is represented to be
an earthwork, thirty feet in thickness.
armed with guns Of much heavier cali :
Der than have yet been found or
Southern forts. The Confederate Off
GERS seem to understand the principle
on which the Monitors are constructed i,
and have taken their measures accord
ingly. Several minutes are required
to load the 15-inch gun. and during this
operation it is OF course necessary to
turn the turret away from the bat
terry, SO as TO prevent the enemy's shot
entering the portfolios. The rebels
have been reduced this time, as the
saying is, "to a spot" The moment
the turret commences turning toward
them, the order is given "to cover;"
the guns are drawn back inside the
fort, and the men retreat out Of harms
way, and this hide and seek game is
certain to continue 80 long as only one
Of our iron-clads is attacking them.
The Tribune's correspondent says:
The effect of these shot upon the
turret was to leave an indenture Of
about one half an inch. One shot
which just grazed one side Of the tur-
ret, knocked of the head Of one Of the
numerous bolts, which the plates are
fastened. which was about the only
real damage which could be said to
have been done. Several shots struck
the deck of the vessel and plowed long
burrows on the surface Of the iron
plating, but injured nothing. Two
solid I0-inch shot struck in close prox-
unity TO one another on the edge Of the
hull and deck plates, which made the
deepest indenture received by the ves-
sci. But altogether the damage infict-
ed was not one 1.-THE the amount received
BY vessel 10 a gale Of wind, or when
exposed to any unusual labor.
The working Of the machinery Of the
vessel was all that could be desired
The mechanism OF the turret perform
ed admirably. The temperature in the
engine-room. and in the quarters Of
officers and men, was moderate, and
no inconvenience whatever was ex-
perieDced by any one. In this respect,
the Montauk proves TO be q great i'm
provement on the original Monitor
The rattling Of the shell above was
hardly audible; and were it not for the
trembling of the vessel under the dis
charge Of her own guns, one might
have been dining on board Of her with
out suspecting that rebel battery was
raining its shot upon her.