Daily national Republican., 1863-06-26
The Secretary Of the Navy COmpli-
mentS Captain Rodgers.
He is Nominated a Com
modore.
Congressional Vote of Thanks
Recommended.
Offensive Power of the Moni-
tors and 15-inch Guns.
IOFFICIAL.l !

FANl DEEAhlhAE'AH vuuS ~ A9Oos
SIR. Your dispatch OF the 18th instant, au-
nouncing the capture of the rebel iron-clad
steamer Fingal, alias Atlanta, has been received.
Although gallantly sustained by Commander
John Downes Of the Nahant, the victory, owing
to the brevity of the contest, was yours, and 1t
gives me unaffected pleasure to congratulate
you upon the result.
Every contest in which tho iron-clads have
been engaged against n-clads has been in-
structive, and affords food for reflection. The
lessons to be drawn are momentous.
On the Sth Of March, 1862, there were lying
at anchor at Hampton Roads the frst-class
steam -frigstes Roanoke and Minnesota, the
sailing frigates Congress and St. Lawrence, the
razee Cumberland, and several gunboats. In
the presence of this formidable force, represent
ing the highest offensive power Of the wooden
navy boldly appeared the rebel iron-cla steamer
Merrimac; and, notwithstanding the broadsides
poured into her by, and the heroic defence Of
the Congress and the Cumberland, these two
wooden vessels were easily destroyed, and the
fate Of the others was only reserved for the
morrow. During the night, however, the Mon
itor tina hrEt vnsEsl of hsr Olass, arrirei ana on
the 9th Of March, when the morning mlsts lifted
and showed the Merrimac and her wooden con-
sorts approaching to complete the work of de-
struction, our defence consisted not in the great
ships that were still a6oat, and their numerous
heavy guns, but in asingle small iron clad vessel
armed with two guns. History has recorded the
courage and skill Of Commander John L. wor-
den, who, disappearing in the smoke of the ad-
yanCing feet, dispersed aud put TO flight their
wooden steamers, turned at bay the Merrimac,
grappled with that formidable monster, and
drove her back into Norfolk and kept her there
until the evacuation Of that place led tho rebels
to destroy their famous iron-clad, rather than
encounter and risk her capIure by her puny
antagonist. The lessons Of that contest taught
us the inadequacy of wooden vessels and our
existing ordnance TO meet armored ships. For
inland operations tho monitor turret was i'm
mediately adopted, aud the iftcen-inch gun of
Rodman, being the only gun of greater weight
than the eleven-inch yet tested, was ordered to
be placed In the turrets Of the vessels that were
constructing. The result Of this policy is de-
veloped in tho action through which you have
Just passed. In fifteen minutes, and with four
a
midablo steamer but slightly inferior to the
Merrimac-a vessel that, the preceding year,
had battled, with not very serious injury to
herself against four frigates, a razee, and for
time with one monitor, armed with eleven
inch guns-thus demonstrating the offensive
power of the new and improved monitors
armed with guns of ifteen-inch callbrc.
Ypur aarly connection with ha
hotilla, and your participation in the projection
and construction of the first iron.cads on the
western waters-your heroic conduct in the
attack on Drury's Blufi-the high moral cour-
aye that led you to put to sea in the Weehaw-
ken upon the approach of violent storm, in
order to test the sca-going qualities Of these
new craft, at the time when a safe anchorage
was close under your lee; tho brave and daring
manner in which you, with your associates,
pressed the iron clads under the concentrated
FIRE of the batteries in Charleston harbor,
and there tested and proved the endurance
and resisting power of these vessels, and
your crowning, successful achievement in
the capture Of the Fingal, alias Atlanta,
arc all proofs Of skill and courage and
devotion 10 the country and the cause of
the Union, regardless Of self, that cannot be
permitted to pass unrowarded. To your heroic
daring and persistent moral courage beyopd
that Of any other Individual, Is the country in
dsDted for the development, under trying and
varied circumstances ou the ocean. under cnor-
mOuS batteries on land, and in successrrI ron.
counter with formidable floating aptagonist
Of the capabilities and qualities Of attack and
resistance of the monitor class Of vessels and
their heavy armament. For these heroic and
seryiceable acts have presented your name to
the President, requesting him to recommend
that Congress give you a vote of thaaks in Or
der that you may DO advanced to the grade of
Commodore in the American Navy.
Very respectfully, &c,
GIDEON WELLEs, Secretary of the Navy.
CAPT. JoHN RoDsERs, United statos Navy,
Commanding United States steamer Wee
hnwken, South Atlantic Squadron, Port Roy
al, South Carolina.