Daily national Republican., 1863-01-05
U. s. srrLMrR Rnopr IaIANp,

HAMPTON ROADS, Jan. y, 1905.
Sir! have the honor % report, In conformi-
ty with your orders Of the 24th ultimo, the
Rhod Island proceededto sea with the iron-eiA
steamer Nonlter In tow, at ESQ p. m. Of the
Goth ultimo, the wind being light from the
Southward and Westward, with a smooth sea.
The weather continued favorable during the
night, and the Monitor inwed easily, speed
ranging between 1--WE and slx miles per hour,
Al p. m. OF the Goth made Cape Hatisras
Lighthouse, hearing W. S. W., ioursfen miles
distant.
The weather, during the day, continued the
same. At sunset, when seventeen (17) miles
s. f., Of Cape Hatteras, made the steamer State
Of Georgia, with the PassAlc In tow, to the N.
and Eastward Of us, the wind being light at the
time, from Southwark and Westward, with In
dicatlons Of good weather.
Between and 9 p. m. the wind freshened,
hauling more 10 the Southwark, and attended
with rainy and squallp weather.
Ate p. m. the Monitor made signals to stop.
We stopped the engines, starting them again
soon after. During the interval, the Monitor
appeared TO be lying In the trough Of the sea,
laboring heavily, the sea making a complete
breach over her. The steamer was then brought
head to wind and sea under easy steam, and
the Monitor rode much easier, and made better
weather.
About two hours afterwards, dip. IN. } when
about twenty miles 8. 8. W. Of Cape Hhtteras,
ance, and upon haIling, we learned the Moni-
tor was In sinking condition. We lowered
onr launch and first cutter without delay, and
commenced getting her crew on board. While
40 engaged, the Monitor ranged upon our port
quarter, staying In the launch; and to prevent
a serious collision, by which the Rhode Island
would have been badly injured, II was nccessa-
ry to force the steamer ahead a little
While under our quarter, ropes we're thown
on board the Monitor, but so reluctant did the
crew appear to leave their vessel, that they did
not take advantage Of this opportunity to save
themselves. The vessels now being separated,
third boat was then lowered TO assist the
others In getting the crew on board.
Acting Masters Mate Brown, the officer In
charge Of the first cutter, deserves special credit
for the skllful manner In which he managed
his boat, having made two trips to the Mon.
ton and resculng number Of her men. En-
couraged by the success attending them, Mr..
Brown started on another trip, and soon after
was hailed and directed 10 lie on his oars, or
drop astern, and be towed up, as the Rhode
Island would steam for the Monitor as soon as
the men could be got on board from the boats
alongside and the boats holsted up. Mr..
Brown, perhaps not understanding the order,
| proceeded on in the direction OF the Monitor,
whose red light from her turret was still visible
| but, by the time steamer was ready to turn her
wheels, the light had, unfortunately, disap-
peared, Q.30 p. M, seth ult.) The steamer
proceeded slowly In the direction which the
Monitor bore when last seen, and endeavored
to keep her position, as near as possible,
throughout the night, burning Coston's night.
signals at intervals.
After daylight, not seeing anything Of the
missing boat; decided To cruise between the
! position she had separated from us and Cape
Hatteras and the extremity of It's shoals, with
the hope Of falling In with her. This plan was
carried out, and day (3lst ult. } was passed in
this way, hut, / regret to say, without success.
~ is possible, however, that the boat may have
Ocen picked up by one of the numerous vessels
that we're seen off the coast on that day. The
boat was buoyant, had a good crew, and, no
doubt, well managed, and entertain hope shat
her daring crew have been saved by some pass.
Ing vessel.
Acting Ensign Taylor, the officer who had
charge Of the launch, which had rendered good
service, speaks in high praise Of the gallant
conduct Of Acting Masters Mate, Stevens, who,
when the launch was manning, went quietly
into the boat, took one Of tho oars, and while
alongside the Monitor In striving to save Others
was himself washed from the boat, but was
rescued by the First Cutter Mr., Taylor also
speaks In high terms OF David T, Compton,
| CoNswain Of the launch, who, when the boat
was stove and rendered unit for service, oar.
locks broken, declared he would not leave the
boat, but would go to the Monitor, even II hG
had to scull the boat.
enclose herewith list Of the men In tbs
missing boat belonging 10 the Rhode Island.
| am, very respectfully, your obedient ser
want, STEPHEN ID. TREHCHARD,
Commander.
Asst Rear Admiral, s. p. LEE
Commanding n. A. B. Squadron,
Hampton Roads.