Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1863-02-18
'TELEGRAPHIC.
Morning and Noon Dispatches.
Sinking of tho Hatteras by tho Ala
bHma-Hsport of Lieutenant Blake
U. s. CONSULATE, KINGSTON, JAMA1cAl
January 2let 1863. (


| January 2lst, 1868.
sIR:--It ia my painful duty to inform the De
partment of the destruction Of the United
States steamer Hatteras, recently under my
command, by the rebel steamer Alabama, on
the night OF the 1lth inst, off the coast OF
Texas. The circumstances of the disaster are
as follows:
On the afternoon of the 1lth inst, OF 1880
O'Clock, while at anchor in company with the
heet with Commander Bell, off Galveston,
was ordered by signal from the Flagship Brook
lyn to chase q sail to Beuthward of eastward -
l got under way Immediately, and steamed
with all speed in the direction indicated. After
some time strange sail could be seen from the
datteras, and it was ascertained to be steamer;
which fact communicated to the flagship by
signal. l continued the chase rapidly, and
gained upon the suspicious vessel When with
In about four miles of the vessel, observed
she had ceased to steam and was lying broad
side and awaiting.
1t was nearly O'Clock and quite dark, but
Notwithstanding the obscurty of the night,
felt assured from the general character OF the
vessel and her maneuvers, that | should soon
encounter the rebel steamer Alabama Being
able to work but four guns on the eide of the
hatteras-two short 32-pounders, one 30 pound
or rihed gun, and one 2O.pounder rifled gun-I
concluded to close with her, that my guns
might be as effective as possible | came
within easy speaking range, and upon asking,
What steamer is thatf" l received the an
swer, "Her Britanc Mejesty's ship Vixen" II
replied 81 would send boat aboard and inn
mediately gave orders. In the meantime both
vessels were changing their positions, the
stranger endeavoring to gain desirable posi-
tion for raking fire. Almost simultaneously
with piping away the boat, the stranger again
replied, "We are the Confederate steamer
Alabama" which was accompanied with
oroadslde. at the same moment returned the
hre. | steered directly toward to Alabama.
out she was enabled by her great speed and by
the foulness of bottom of the Hatteras, and
consequently her diminished speed, TO thwart
my attempt, when | had gained distance of
but thirty yards from her. At this range
musketry and pstol shots we're exchanged.
fripg continued with great vigor on both
sides. At length, shell entered amidshins in
the hold, setting fire to it, and at the same in
slant she'll passed through the sick bay, ex.
ploding in an adjoining apartment, also pro.
duciug fire. Another entered tho ovlinder.
filling the eugino-room and deck with ateam.
aud depriving me of any power to maueuyer
the vessel or to work the pumps, upon which
the reduction of the FIRE depended. With the
vessel on lire in two places, and beyond human
power hopeless wreck, with her walking beam
shot away and her engine rendered useless,
still maintained an active fire, with the double
hope of disabling the Alabama aud attracting
the attention of the feet off Galveston, which
was Only twenty eight miles distant.
1t was soon reported to me that shells had en-
tessa 'ne hs'teras at the water line, tearing off
entire Sheets of iron, and the water rushing in,
utterly detying every attempt to remedy the
evil, and that che was rapidly sinking. Learn.
llpg this melancholy truth, and observing that
Tue ALABAMA wac on my port bow, entirely be.
yond range OF my guns, doubtless preparing for
rARiDg nre OF the deck, felt | had no right
TO sacrifice useles'ly and without any desirable
result, the lives of all under nv command. To
prevent the blowing up of the Hstterss from
the fire, which was making much propres,. or-
dered the magazine flooded, and aTterward a
lee gun to be fred. The Alabama then asked
IL assistance was desired, 10 which an afirma-
tive answer was given. The Hatteras was now |
going down, and in order to save the lives of |
my officers and men, caused the armament
on thep port side to be thrown overheard.
Alter considerable delay, caused by the re-
port that steamer was seen coming from Gal.
weston, the Alabama sent us assistance, and
have the pleasure of informing the Department.
that every living beng was conveyed safely
from the Hatteras to the Alabama. Ten min
utes after leaving the Hatteras, che went down,
bow fret, with her pennsnt at her mast head,
with all her muskets and stores of every char.
acter, the enemy not being able, owing to her
rapid sinking, to obtain single weapon. The
battery upon the Alabama brought into action
against the Hatteras, numbered seven guns,
From the character of the eonte,t and the
amount Of damage done to the Alabama,
have personally no reason to believe that any
officer failed In his duty. To the men of the
hatseras cannot give too much praise. Their
enthusiasm and bravery were OF the highest
order. inclose the report of the Assistant
surgeon, by which you will observe that five
men were wounded and two killed.
am, very respectfully, your ob't serv's,
K. &C. BLAKE, 1t. Comm andinR.
To Hon. GIDEnn WrIIra-Sao,u A,o