The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1864-11-08
The Sinking OF the Albemarle.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 2-Admiral Por.
ter has communicated to the Secretary
of the Navy the following, from Lieut..
Cushin, as to the sinking of the rebel
ram Albemarle:
ALBEMAnLE SOUND Oct 20
Sri have the honor to report that
the rebel iron clad Altemarle was sent
to the bottom of the Roanoke on the
night of the 9th. Having prepared my
steam launch, l proceeded towards
Plymouth with Is officers, partly vol
unteers from the squadron. The dis
tance from the mouth of the river to the
ram was eight miles. The stream, av-
eraging in width some 200 yards, was
lined with the enemy's pickets for a
mile below the town. The wreck of
the Southfield was surrounded by
schooners. 1t is understood that guns
were mounted there to command the
bend. therefore took one of the Sham
rocks cutters in tow, with orders to
cast off and board at the point we were
hailed. Oar boat succeeded in passing
the pickets, even with the Southfiehl
within 20 yards, without being discov-
cred. We were not hailed until by the
lookouts on the ram. The cutter was
then cut off and ordered below, while
we lay for the enemy under fnll head of
steam. The rebels opened their rattle,
rang their bell, and commenced firing,
at the same time repeating their hail,
seeming much confuse |. The light of
the fire ashore showed me the iron-clad
made fast to the wharf, with logs around
her 80 feet from her side. Passing her
closely we made a complete circle, so
as to strike her fairly, and went into her
bows. BY this time the enemy's fire
was severe, but close, with canister, ut
short range, and seemed to direct their
aim at Paymaster Swan, of the Otsego.
Many were wounded near me, but how
many know not. Seven bullets struck
my clothes, and the air seemed filed
with them. In moment we had struck
some logs just abreast of her quarter
port, breaking them in some feet, orr
bows resting on them. The torpedo
boom was then lowered, and succeed
ed in drawing the torpedo under her
and exploding it at the same time. The
Albemarle's gun shot went through my
boat, and dense mass of water rushed
in from the torpedo, filing the launch
and completely disabling her. The en-
emy continued his fire ut Is feet range,
and demanded our surrender, which
twice refused. Ordering the men to
save themselves, and removing my over
coat and shoes, we sprung into the wa
ter and swan into the middle of the
stream, the rebels failing to hit us.
Most of our party were captured, some
drowned, and only one escaped besides
myself, he in another direction. Com
pletely exhausted, managed to reach
the shore, but too weak to crawl out of
the water till daylight. I managed to
creep into the swamp close to Fort
Whiting, hiding close to the path where
the Albcmarle officers passed. judg-
ed from their conversation the ship was
destroyed. Some hours travelling in
the swamp served to bring me out be-
low the town, when / sent a negro to
gain informatian and found it was sunk.
Then proceeding through another
swamp, came to creek, and captur-
ed skiff belonging to picket, and
with this, by III o'clock the next night,
made my way to Valley City. The ram
is completely submerged in the river,
and obstructs the passage of our ships.
!! am, respectfully,
W. B. CUSHING, Lieut.. u s. Navy.