The Portland daily press., 1863-02-17
BY TELEGRAP
Portland Daily Press.
Official Report of the Commander of the
Steamer Hatteras.
Gallant Conduct of the Officers and Crew.
UNITED STATES CONSULATE,

UNITED STATES CONSULATE,
Kingston, Ja., Jan. 81.
1t is my painful duty 10 inform the depart
ment of the destruction of u. S. steamer Hat
teras, recently under my command, by the
rebel steamer Alabama, on the night of the
18th inst, OFF the coast of Texas. The cir
cumstances of the disaster are as follows:
Upon the afternoon OF the 18th inst, at $50
o'clock, while at anchor in company with the
feet, under Commodore Bell, off Galveston,
Texas, | was ordered by signal from the U. S.
| flag ship Brooklyn TO chase sail to the south
ward aud eastward. got underway imme-
diately and steered with all speed in the direc-
ton indicated. After some time the strange
sail could be seen from the Hattaras and was
ascertained to be a steamer, which fact was
communicated to the flag ship by signal
continued to chase and rapidly gained upon
| the suspicious vessel. Knowing the slow rate
of speed of the Hatteras at once suspected
that deception was being practiced and hence
ordered the ship to be cleared for action, with
everything In readiness for determined at
tack and vigorous defence. When within
about four miles of the vessel observed that
she had ceased to steam and was lying broad
side to and awaiting us. 1t was nearly seven
o'clock and quite dark, but Notwithstanding
the obscurity OF the night felt assured from
the general character of the vessel and her
maneuyers that should soon encounter the
rebel steamer Alabama Being able to work
but four guns a side OF the Hattaras, two
short 32-pounders, one 30-pounder riiied Par
rott gun and one 20-pounder rihed gun, con-
cluded to close with her that my guns might
be effective IL necessary. i came within easy
speaking range, about seventy-fiye yards, and
upon asking what steamer Is that received the
answer; "Her Brittanic Majesty's ship Vixen"
replied that would send boat aboard and
Immediately gave the order. In the meantime
t.s.ft IL.
stranger endeay0ring 10 gain desirable posi-
ton for a raking fire. Almost simultaneously
with the piping away OF the boat the strange
craft again replied, I'VE the Confederate
steamer Alabama" which was accompanied
with broadside. ! at the same moment re-
turned the fire. Being well aware OF tlie many
vulnerable points OF the Hatteras hoped, by
closing with the Alabama, TO be able 10 board
her and thus nd the seas OF this piraticai craft.
1 steamed directly for the Alabama, but she
was enabled BY her great speed aud the full
ness of the bottom OF the Hatteras and conse-
quenuy her diminished speed, 10 thwart my
attempt when had gained distance OF but
- yards from her. At this range mnsket and
pistol shots were exchanged. The firing con-
unued with great yigor on both sides. At
length she'll entered amidships In Che hold
setting hre 10 II. aud at the same instant. rs
can hardly divide the time, a shell passed
through the sick bay and exploding In an adj
Joining comparatively also producing fire, and
entering the cy Under, nling the engine room
and deck with steam, aud dcprivng the Of any
power 10 manage the vessel or 10 work the
pumps, upon which the reduction of the fire
depended.
With the vessel on fire In two places, and
beyond human power, hopeless wreck upon
the water, with her walking beam shot away
and her engine rendered useless, still main
tanned an active fire with the double hope OF
disabling the Alabama and attracting the at
tention OF the fleet off Galveston, which was
only - miles distant. IL was soon reported to
me that the shells had entered the Hatteras ut
the water line, tearing of entire sheets OF iron,
and the water was rushing in, utterly defying
every attempt 10 remedy the evil, and that she
was rapidly siuking. Learning the melancholy
truth. and observing that the Alabama was on
my port bow entirely beyond range OF my
guns, doabtless preparing for a raking fire of
the deck, l felt that had no right TO sacrifice
useiessly and without any desirable result, the
lives OF all under my command. To prevent
the blowing up of the Hatteras from the fire
which was making much progress, ordered
the magazine to be flooded, and afterwards
lee gun to be fired. The Alabama then asked
IL assistance was desired, to which an affirma-
tive answer was given.
The Hatteras was now going down, and In
order to save the lives of the officers and men,
NdusCu tut VII Tue port sue 10 DC
thrown overheard. Had not done so am
confident the vessel would have gone down
with many brave hearts and valuable lives.
After considerable delay, caused by the report
that steamer was seen coming from Calves
ton, the Alabama sent us assistance, and |
have the pleasure of informing the department
that every living being was conveyed safely to
the Alabama. Ten minutes after leaving the
Hatteras, she went down with her pennant at
her mast head, with all her muskets and stores
of every character, the enemy not being able,
owing to her rapid sinking. 10 obtain a single
weapon. The battery upon the Alabama
brought into action against the Hatteras num-
bered seven guns, consisting of four long 81
FOUNDERS, one lO0-pounder, one 6S-pounder,
and one 24-pounder riied gun. The great
superiority of the Alabama, with her powerful
battery and her machinery Nnder the water
line, must be at once recognized by the De-
partment, who are familiar with the eonstruc-
ton Of the Haueras and her total unftness
for contest with a vessel of war. The dis
lance between the Hatteras and the Alabama
during the action was from IS to 100 yards.
Nearly fifty shots were fired from the Hat
teras. and j presume greater number from
the Alabama. l desire 10 refer to the efficient
and active manner in which Acting Master
Henry Porter performed his duty. The con-
duct OF Assistant Surgeon Edward S. Math-
ews, both during the action and afterwards,
in attending to the wounded, demands my I'M
qualified commentator. | would also bring
to the favorable notice of the Department
| Acting Masters Mate McGrath, temporarily
| performing the duties "a gunner. Owing TO
the darkness OF the night, and the peculiar
construction of the Hatteras, | am able only
10 refer 10 those officers who came under my
especial attention; but l have personally no
reason TO believe that any officer failed in his
duty. To the men of the Hatteras | cannot
give too much praise, for their enthusiasm and
bravery was OF the highest order. l enclose
the report OF Assistant Surgeon L. 5. Math-
ews, by which you will observe that five men
were wounded aud two killed. The missing
IL Is hoped have reached the fleet at Galveston.
i shall communicate to the Department in a
separate report the movements of myself and
command from the time of our transfer To the
Alabama until from this place to the United
States. am, very respectfully,
your obedient servant,
r. G. BLAKE, Lieut.. Cong.
To Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of Navy
| nf L.,