Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1863-01-14
LOSS OF THE MONITOR.
Official Report of Her Commander.

This famous Iron clad vessel, which
gained such Worldwide renown in her
contest with the rebel steamer Merrimac,
and which was the boast of the American
Navy, was lost OFT Cape Hatteras, on the
3lst December, together with portion o!
her officers and crew. She was proceeding
from Fortress Monroe to some Southern
port, in tow Of the steamer Rhode Island.
Tie following is the official report Of
her loss by her Commander, Capt. Eank-
head:
UNITED STATES STEAMER RHODE
ISLAND, Jan. /, 1862.
SIR-l have the honor to report to you
tha. the Monitor left Hampton Roads in
tow Of the United States steamer Rhode
Island, on the Goth of December, 1852, at
halt-paet two P. NJ, wind light at south.
west, weather clear and pleasant and ey.
cry prospect Of its Continuation. Passed
Cape Henry at six p. NJ; water smooth,
and everything looked well. During the
night the weather continued the same
until five A. NJ, when we began TO eSpe>
rience swell from the southwark, with a
slight increase of the wind from the south
west, the sea breaking over the pilot
house forward and striking the base Of
the tower, but not with sufficient force 10
break over i,. Found that the packing
OF oakum under and around the base Of
The tower had loosendcd somewhat from
the working OF the tower as the vessel
pitched and rolled Speed at this time
about five knots. Ascerlaned from the
engineer OF the watch that the bilge
pumps kept her perfectly free-occasion-
ally sucking. Felt no apprehension at
lhe time. The weather during the day,
and until six p. NJ. was variable, with oc-
cas- onal squalls OF wind and rain. and to
wards evening the swell somewhat de'
creased, the bilge pumps being sound am
ply sufficient to keep her clear of the was
ter hat penetrated through 1he sight
holes of the pilot house, hawser hole and
base OF tower, ali of which had been well
caulked previous to leaving.
Al half.past seven the wind hauled
more to the south, increasing in strength,
and causing the sea to rise. Computed
position at this time about fifteen miles
south Of Cape Hatte,as Shoals. Found
the vessel towed badly ,yawng very much,
and with the increased motion making
somewhat more water around the base Of
the tower. Ordered the engineer 70 put
on the Worthington pump bIlgc IN ecllon
and get the centrifugal pump ready aud
to report to me Immediately if he percei.
we'd any increase OF the water.
ha ,r AZ \
commenced 10 rise very rapidly, causing
the vessel TO plunge heavily, completely
submerging the pilot house and washing
over and into turret, and, at times, into
the blower pipes. Observed that when
she rose to the swell the fiat under sur
face OF the projecting armor would come
down with great force, causing consid-
eIable shock to the vessel and turre,,
thereby loosening still more the packing
around its base. Signalzed several times
10 the Rhode Island to stop, in order that
might ascertain if,by so doing, she wonld
ride easier or decrease the influx of water,
but could perceive no difference, the ves>
sol falling off Immediately into the trough
Of the sea and rolling heavily. The en-
gineer at this time reported that 1t would
be necessary to start the centrifugal pump.
as the Others failed to keep the water un
der. Ordered him to do so Immediately
and report to me the effect. Sea contn>
ued to rise, the vessel striking heavily for.
ward. The engineer reported that The
pumps were all working WELL but produ
ced no effect upon the water. which bv /
this time had risen several inches above
the level OF the engine room floor.
About half>past ten z. NJ, having given
the pumps fair trial and finding the wa
ter gaining rapidly upon us. determine
ed TO make the preconcerted signal orI
distress, which was Immediate answered |
By the Rhode Island. ranged up close
10 her and reported that ine water was
gaining rapidly upon us and requested
Der commander 10 send boats TO take ,ff
he crew. Finding tln' The eayy stream
able, used 70 Tow the Monitor, rendered