The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-04-22
The Attack on the Minnesota.
MARROW ESCAPE FROM DESTRUCTION.

NORFOLK, Va, April 10.-A most dar-
ing, but fortunately unsuccessful attempt
was made about two O'Clock on the morn
ing of yesterday, to blow up the steam
frigate Minnesota, lying in Hampton Roads,
near the mouth of the James river, with a
rebel torpedo. The night chosen for the
bold deed was very dark, so much.so that
from the picket boat scarcely anything as
small as boat could be discerned, and it
was not until the rebel craft was within q
very short distance of the frigate that her
presence was disclosed by the lookout on
deck.
THE REBEL RAM OR TORPEDO,
is variously described by some as a com.
mon boat, and by others as small steam,
er. The latter opinion prevails, however,
inasmuch as the majority declare that af-
ter the explosion she steamed away rap
idly in the direction of the Chickatuck
river. Her presence was not discovered
until she was within few yards of the
Minnesota. The deck officer hailed her,
but no reply was elected She was hailed
again, with threat to fire if she did not
stop. Reply was made, "a boat from
the Roanoke; fire and be -" In an
instant after the boat was struck, and
the torpedo exploded with tremendous vi
olence, and some .,..
DAMAGE TO TIE SHIP.
when it was found that the torpedo had
been located just abaft midships, and the
deck and walls of the engineers steerage
were badly torn up. The shaft alley Of
thu nrnnol1nr mo oh Ao,oo~nI
prevent the working Of the screw. 1t is
not yet known how seriously her hull is
injured, but perhaps not beyond the start
ing of the tuttocks and planks the latter,
however, not so much as to cause an ex-
tensive leak. Had the presence of. the
craft not been SO early discovered, and
had the terrible engine of war been Sc
curely placed where il was intended to OPP
crate, tie ship would undoubtedly have
been blown up and sunk. The designs of
the enemy were happily frustrated by their,
timely discovery. The frigate was to have
been sent North for repairs in few days.
Now her propeller shaft is so much dam
aged that it is doubtful if she will be able
to make the trip alone.
-. THE CHARACTER OF THR CRAFT. g..
It is supposed that the boat which guild
ed the torpedo was very dimiEutive craft,
and capable of easy land transportation
That it was built in Richmond, and that
preparations were made for its foray by
circulating within our limits the story that
the rebel rams were coming down the
James river to make foray-thus draw
ing attention from the real means by which
the attack was to be made. That it was
transported overland to the headwaters of
the Cnuckatuck and there launched and
sent on its mission. The machinery for
its attachment to the intended object,
and detachment from the propel,ing
craft must have been Of the incest con-
structi-n; as scarcely an instent elapsed
between the final hail, when she was close
upon the frigate, and the explosion of the
torpedo, and then the craft moved off ap
parently unframed. A more extended
survey of the ship will doubtless reveal
further particulars with reference to the
character Of this infer y machine.
ANAvAL EXPEDITION
is in preparation, and will be d dispatched
Immediately up the Obuckatuck and James
rivers, and hopes are entertained that it
will succeed in discovering the rebels who
have been engaged in this enterprise. 1t
seems time that enough territory on either
side of these streams should be acquired
to render it possible for our fleet to ride
here in perfect safety from any such dem
Onstrations as the above.