The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-11-14

you to tho reports each OF the commanding officers
which VIII forward as they received. As CON-
manding officer OF tho Shamrock becomes my duty to
testify to tho gallant behavior Of the officers and
The Engineer Department under Second istant En-.
gneer W. H. Harrison, was very efficient. The different
spirited and effective manner for which In great
measure indebted to Lieutenant Duer Executive OcOr,
ana me olcers Of the different divisions; Acting A.
tain Clerk, wero with me on the hurricane deck during
the engagement and rendered good service aids the
latter acting US signal olhcer ! am much indebted to
Colonel D. W. Wardrop, commanding subdivision OF
Albemare, Who anticipating our requirements, srrved
here with one hundred aud sixty men from Roanoke
Island to assist in garrisoung the works which had
saptured.
am sir, respectfully, your obedent servant,
w. H. kACOMB, Comm uder,
Commanding District OF the sounds, N. A. b. g
To Rear Admiral d. D. PORTER, Commanding N. A. S.
ADMIRAL PORTER TO SECRETARY wELLEs.
NoRrH ATLANTIC SQUADRON
UNITED STATE FLAGSHIP MALVERN.
HAMPTON ROADS, Nov. IL, 1854
SRI have just received and have the honor TO for
ward to you the following papers from Commander
Macomb commanding the District OF the Sounds
Commander W. II. Macomb, November !. 1864. report
ing the sinking Of the ram a.oemar and enclosing copy
Mallory Secretary OF the Navy" which s evidently the
report Of the commander OF the ram to his Chief.
Copy Of letter found 10 the Post Oaco at Plymouth
on its occupation by the federal naval forces.
Report OF survey on the ram Albemare, made by
order OF Commander Macomb. and drawing or the
RAM showing her c,semate and mode OF plating.
The attack OF Lieutenant Gushing was evidently sur
prise, and the destruction OF the ram complete and i'm
~ DAVID b. PORTER, Rear admiral.
Hon GIDEON WKILrs Secretary Of the Navy.
COMMANDER MACoMB TO ADMIRAL PORTER.
UNIlED STATES STEAMER SHAMROCK, |
Or PLYMOUTH. N. Nov. 4, 1864. (
SIRI have the honor u report that, the night OF
the 9th ut, Lieutenant W. Cushing went up the
Roanoke hts torpedo boat, having tho second
cutter OF this vessel in tow, with crew OF eleven men,
under Gunner William Peterkin and Masters Mate W. d.
n n
He arrived at short distance from the ram before he
perceived. when he cast loose the cutter. aud,
going at full speed, he struck the logs with which the
ram surrounded with such force as to run his boat
them. He then exploded his torpedo, but gun
which fired from the Abemarle At that moment pre-
vented him from seeing what damage he had done; and
his boat being ul Of water, he jumped overheard and
swan down the river Ho will himself suppose, give
Won the account OF his escape, and shall therefore
merely state that he picked up by the United states
steamer Valley City on the night Of the 2sth OF October
enclose copy OF letter found In the Post Office at
Plymouth taxing possession Of that town. report
in my number eight, aud SO copy Of apaper found ia
the town, which be official. of which give
accounts OF the affair. On my arrival found the ram
sunk at the wharf as far as her ports aud the top plat
ing OF the casemae entirely OF. have ordered
vey, and herewith enclose the report.
Lieutenant Cushing's intention in taking the cutter
with him was to land at the wharf In case he was not
discovered casting loose the fasenngs the to
take her out OF the river This he was prevented from
doing but the cutter captured four rebel pkets duty
on the Southheld which they brought OIL As far as
know At this time Lieutenant Gushing and j Horton
ordinary OF Chcopee, tbs only persons
either captured drowned / have private letter.
picked up 10 Plymouth, which states that eleven
captured The names or the missing ones belonging to
ships under my command follows
f. H. Swan Acting Assistant aymaster OF the Otsego;
Thomas Gay Acting Masters Mate. also Of ,be S.ssso
and Jno. Woodman Actirg Masters Mate Of the Commo
dore Hull Bernard Haley, ordln.ry seaman, and VIM
Hamilton, c. H., OF the shsmrock
am, sir, &C., W. Fl. MiCOMB, Commander.
Commanding District Of the sounds.
To Rear Admiral d. d. PORTER, Commanding North At.
laatic squadron.
REBEL REPosT CAPTURED IN THE POST oPPrcz At
rlTsou1H. N c., Oct 2slssa
Hon. s. R. MALLORY, Secretary OF the Navy
SiR-The night OF the 9th inst.-a dark and rainy
night had the watch OH board doubled and took extra
precauton At or about three O'Clock A. NJ on the 2sh
the officer OF the dock discovered small boat 10 The
river, hailed her received unsatisfactory answer
rang this alarm bell, and opened fire her with the
watch. The officers and at thor quarters In
as quick time a. It was possible under the circusn.
Stances but the vessel close that could rot
bring guns TO bear and the shot fred from the after
gun, loaded with grape, failed 70 take eject The boat,
running obquey, struck US under the port bow run
ming the BOOM, exploded tordedo and smashed
large hole just under the water line Under heavy fire Of
take charge OF her, manDed the pumps and ordered
TO IRE up to the donkey pumps The water gained
the vessel went down in few minutes, merely leaving
her shield and snokestack out OF water In justice TO
myself must cay that the pckets be gave no notice
OF her approsch, and the artillery, which was stationed
by the protection gave assistance, manning
only piece and that at too late time to be OF any
service.
Having condensed this report as much as possible I
respectfully request q court to establish whose
shoulders rest the loss OF the Albemarle.
N. B.-This report not signed, but appears 10 be
official, probably tho draft OF tho report OF captain
Marley, @. s. N.
CORY OF LETTER FOUND IN TIM POST OFFICE At
PLYMOUTH, n. c., NOV. l, 1864.
g. j. SrKAMRR ALsEMARIR,
PLYMOUTH, N. G. oct. 20, 1854. !
Esr,xssD FRgyp-T received your kind, interesting
.sDlgA AcA
severe attack OF the fever. am now up and about
again. nearly as well as ever. They are sending out sx
yasi beat. is said killed riy all her crew. con.
stog of shout eight ner. But the most awful thing Of
all terbas you viii bear Of u before this reaches you)
rs that Yankee torpedo up the riyof
Thursday night, and about three O'Clock on Friday
ing she ran into the AloeInsre ine torpedo burs blow
ing hole to her some elk feet long. sinking her i'm
med stey. She is lying at the bottom OF the 2oa
noke rivor. The crew los. everything thcy had,
bed clothing, every thing; como lost their hats shoes
out IN their shirt sleeves aud
drawers bareiooted. We arc In IN awful condition. I
believe hcy are gong to hold the place 10 the bitter end
Captain Warcy says ne intends TO fight long
Is leIt. This 10 all gas never did witness such an
uproar before In my ie troops were hurrying 70 snd
fro expecting every rnuto To inset Ia battle dread
but fortunately there has been attack though
tscro rs no telling how soon We my see map-of war
career carrying in her front the token Of devasao
and ruin Wo are going 70 lake command OF one OF the
herr / can but inform you that have not received
word from her aimee have been In the service Is not
this provokng2 have nothing moro to write Excuse
the bad writing, as very nervous Write Nc all tho
news. Direct your letter TO Plymouth n t., care OF
Captain wArlcy. remain, ever, your Sincere friend,
Il. X. L.
fHE ENGINEERS REPORT TO COMMANDER uAooxB.
UNITED STATES SrEA.ra WyALTsiSG,l
Orr PLYMOUTH, Nov IL, 1864
HR--ln obedience to your ere OF thH date have
examined the late rebel ironclad Abemare snd
epec,fuy submit the following report
shc Is suokeu a. tho wharf and beading down stream.
Keeling OIL shore 1T sogle Of about ten degrees the st
part OF the casemae the port twenty two inches
out OF wafer.
We hnd The entire top Of the casemats Ia blown or Tho
angles marked A. b, and IN the drawing are complete
~ dsconueclcd, the unRle marked quite ten inches
"A twas reror,ed that che again blown up acr she
was sunk oy Lieut. Cushing, 1t impssiblc 10 say now
much OF tue dainago wss done by him. Her Armament
cJnsists OF two eight Inch rr worked on pvots,
so rs 70 tire either from the sire ahead. Orc o those
gnns " rsrtiy ont q ws,er the ether entire nncrs'd
Her mo cnnery y entirely submerged, 50 tfst " IN.
possible TO examine a. The dimensions tho nun ani
senaes We oncoae with ihF report Wo arc respect
inly, Il. H. sIGWAHr, CDi,f Engineer
1H0s VI. Nh EilARr. ii.st asst. kng