Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-04-02
TIE SAD FATE or TIE HousAroNrc-RHBRL
TORPEDOES AND IRON CLADs.

TIE SAD FATE or TIE HousAr0Nrc-RRBRL
! T0RPEDOES AND IRON CLADs.
The Washington correspondent Of the 81. Louis Re-
publican furnishes an interesting communication CON
corning the rebel topsdoes and iron clads at CHARLES
ton which we have not met With In any Of cur eoulheIn
exchanges.
REBEL ToRPEDoIe.
Private letters received here from Of Charleston give
come interesting particulars Of the sinking Of the Housa
tonic by rebel torpedo, which do not lppear in the
official account II is not known on our side THAT the
machine carried any the contrary, It is sup
posed the torpedo Of q new kind lately invented
by tie rebels which rendered self-movine by clock
work. and was brought down the harbor directed to-
ward the fated vessel, and started by the internal
machinery, the conclusion being relied upon to explode
II. When frs seen, about hundred yards from the
Housatonic, it looked like O broad plank upon the
water, asd there ws)a no signs Of lie propulsion BY
steam or man power. struck two m nutes after Hrst
seen and exploded IN t6out minute directly under
the stern. The power OF the explosion was terrific
tearing out the stern completely breaking through the
gun and spar decle, and shatteriDg the huge beams
above them The 'Housaton'c sunk Immediately, the
officers and crew being pushed to themselves, by
ascending the rigging as she went down.
II this torpedo Q, moving one, it Is the first
instance where such machines have accomplished prac.
teal results, though much time, labor and expense
have been of late years devoted to attaining in
this peculiar branch Of warfare by nearly all civilized
nations. Under these circumstances the event must
be accepted as evidence Of the energy perseverance
and inventive genius Of the rebels though the app-
cation of these attributes in such manner 10 justly
open to the charge Of barbarousness
TIE REBEL IRON oLADs.
Speaking of rebel torpedoes brings to mind other
features of the situation before Charleston worthy Of
notice Lately we have heard considerable alb tut the
tahe iron adj in h1th Federal
rebel sources There Is no doubt that the officers Of
our iron clad feet expec. to be compelled to accept
challenge to combat some of these fine days from q
feet of Merrimaos which will steam down the Ashley
and Cooper Rivers, out into the harbor, and there
below forth the bold defiance from their srma-
there indications that they do not anticipate
the result Of such CONTEXT certainly to be favorable
TO cur side. The rebels are known to be building two
or three more ron-cads in the above rivers; there 10
good reason TO believe that the Chicora Ladies' Gun
boat and other nondescrps crafts flashed long SINCE
are now being clad with additional iron plates When
tue feet is fni he'd, IL is not likely 10 remain behind
Sumte; and should 1t come out the momentous ques-
ton s can our ironclsds hold heie own against it-
Some Of our eff ;es think NOS They say the old Nsr-
rmac In her frat contest with the little honitor was
provided with nothing but shells; that with these she
could not inure her antago ais while the latter
ceeded in hitting her below Ter iron plating when
grounded and carrened, but I'll Efforts to penetrate her
mail were unsuccessful. Subsequently, the Norfolk
Monster being repaired, came OFT provided With solid
shot, and steamed around in sight Of the Monitor for
three days without getting fight out OF her, Had the
Monitor accepted fight the result ia to be inferred
from the in which the solid shot and stsebo
OF the rebel guns battered up iron-cads in the
subsequent engagem INT before Charleston.
Surprising the rebel ronclads Of the Merimac order
in Charleston LaIbCr are sble TO withstand the ere
the heavy ordnance Of the Monitors 1t follows that the
latter mus! succumb to the terrific power Of the Brooks
guns, with steel pointed proeces, at close quarters
Blu. tn, old Merrmac probably the best ofer class
ever constructed, and though her mail Was strong
enough to resist the missiles of the MONITOR IL does not
follow that those lately constructed by the rebels
as invunerabe. Theoase Of the Fngal is altogether
in favor but the experience gained in that AFFAIR
very probably suggested to the rebels the idea of in
creasng the strength of their craf and when they
TIT with for supremacy in ironclad construc
ton it may be discovered their vessels not 20 easily
disposed OF as the Savannah abortion.