New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-11-02
rRoM OUR NAVAL REPoRrER.

Tho Confederate iron.clad ram Albemarle,
reported to have been destroyed on the 2h u by the
T. s. Picket Boat No was bull. in the Roanoke River
for the purpose ocearng the waters OF North Carolina
Of our naval vessels and driving OFF the United States
troops who located At various posts On several
occasions she has spread terror throughout tho depart
ment and has caused serious annoyance TO our forces
bpih naval and military. On the 5h of May last the
L. y naval foyces consisting OF the wooden ganooa's
Msttabessett. SassaoGs Wyabusing Miami. White
head. Ceres, aud Commodore Hull engaged the AIDE
marie and her consorts Cotton Plant and Bomshel and
after terrible conflict the Albemare was forced to re-
treat having been seriously damaged by the fire OF our
gun5olt'. bus principally by the Sassacus.
The cotton plant escaped. but the Bomoshel which
had been captured short time previous was recap
iured From that time until few weeks since. the
ran has been quietly receiving repairs and has been
strengthened with view 10 accomplishing her object
with fa;al certainty. Lieut.. VIM. Cushing OF our
navy was anxious to have her como out so that he
might test the merits of the torpedo arrangement de-
yised by Chief. Engineer W. ". w. Wood, U. 5. n
II is pe,haps proper 20 state that the Albemarle
Contracted upon the general paineiPes Of the MeFimac
and Tennessee class Of vessels and WAS perhaps much
stronger than either OF those vessels since she was re-
paired Of late.
Shs had the ordinary eesemste in which were placed
four heavy guns; she was probably shotproof against
any projectiles thrown by vessels and the only
hopes Of destroying her. before the advent of the tor
pedo affair was by running her to DEATH but with the
torpedo boat the matter easily accomplished, pro
ydcd always she could get close enough to do the
work without being observed before the guns could be
trained and fred upon her. In this case the little tor
pedo boat did it's duty and but for shot from ashore
battery she would now be ready to perform similar
feat.
PICKET BOAT No. /.
The little vessel which has performed the deed Of de-
stroying this noted Ram, is boat not unlike ships
launch and about the same dimensions. Six of them
have been built under the superintendent Of Captain
c. : Bo5gs L. s. n. Their engines. boilers, &C. were
pnt in them at Schenectady. n. Y aud were brought
down here via canal.
They were designed at first for picket boats e1cu'
syely and for the purpose Of relieving the sesnen nom
the Lurtful and unhealthy work Of pulling boats on
picket in all kinds Of weather Before they were com
nent on them suggested and Immediately adopted.
and is proven already the wisdom OF the suggestion
No officer has abored more faithfully 10 destroy thls
Ahemarl. than has Lieut. Cushing A few weeks since
he visited New York and selected some Of the picket
boats for service in Albcmarc Sound, and we now
have the first results Of his daring ana good judgment
in using this new engine OF naval warfare. which IN
short time will revoluti0nize naval fights The true
plan is being adopted; the bottom of vessel Il It's
most vulnerable part and By this arrangement II Is
reached broken through. and the vessel must sihA VI
be utterly destroyed.