The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-05-11
Brilliant Naval Fight in the Vicinity
of Roanoke Island.
RecaptUre OF the GunbOat
E0mbsbeil.
A NUMBER or PRISONERS TAKEN.
Retreat Of the Ram Up the
Roanoke,
IT,. &c.. H.
mr. Goo. II. Harris Despatch.
NawBgRs, N. c., May 7. 1884


NAVAL FIGHT.
Great the rejoicing North Carolina. Simultaneous
iy and authenticity the made that the
rebels have retired from the siege OF and that the
rebel destroyed discounted The boat that has
lust arrived from Roanoke Island brings pleasing
tegence OF terrific naval combat between tho rebel
ram Albemarle and Union guuboats In which the
gunboats triumphant. o. thursday, the 9Th inst ,
at half past O'Clock p M the ram, accompanied by
its satellite. the Cotton Plant, and the army gunboat
Bombshel captured by Thorn Plymouth, appeared at
The mouth OF the Roanoke river. The gunboats Miami,
Whitehead, Ceres and Commodore Hull were lying close
to the river, in the Sound. On perceving the de-
signing the Sound they made of as II fearful o
an encounter but only anxious to draw the ram into the
Sound. The and followers pursued for about twelve
miles when the gunboats Sassacus Wyausng and Malta
besett double euders appeared our gunbos seven in
number, Immediately opened fire, and terrific engage
unent ensued, lasting from five until eight O'Clock ~
ESCAPE PLAINTIFFS b MB;ilLL RKrAKEN
During the early part of the battle the Cotton Plant
succeeded making her pc, and the the RAM firing
rapidly slowly and steadily, rereaed up the Sound The
gunboat Bombshell retaken, with all board
some thirty-four in number.
ATTACK sAssAcUs. AND RESULT.
The Sassacns, having iron prov, steamed at full
speed and into the RAM striking abaft the centre
but apparently without INJECTING any jury on II. The
Sassacus however, compelled to retire, having the
forward rudder Knocked or and hundred pound
PARROT shot fred by the ram through It's boiler.
RETREAT RAM-cAsUALrEs
Night had set In. and the movements Of tho ram
could not be accurately discerned. Closely pursued by
the gunboas and under OF the Darkness the ram
succeeded in gaining and entering the Roanoke river
where gunboats could not venture TO follow. The
Whitehead pu, shot, and the firing from all the
boats is described excellent but to what extent tho
ram is injured yet be ascertained Our loss Is
sliebt-two killed on board the Mattabesett, the
engineer Yeoman and the other a boy. Each one had
q leg shot of, and shortly Afterwards died. One man
died on Sassacus the effect OF scads received by
the water thrown Of the boiler by the rams shot.
regret TO add quite number severely and dan
cerousy scaded on this from the cause and
| lie 10 a critical condition.
DAMAGE DoSR ~ TEE RAN
The only gunboats struck the wyalusing Malta.
beset sassacus but the injury done thereby very
slight The carried least four hundred FOUNDERS,
probably those captured Plymouth. but believed by
some English Blakey guns The shot are Steel and
| well pointed.
The has not been since the engagement but
active viii be taken to capture destroy It,
Rerorts from Kinston that eiabe, represent that
rebel Neuse Is high aground. II draws sever
and half feet Of water aud the river only four and
haM in Depth The rebels have. for the present. aban
\ doned It, and taken the engine out.
Thus ends the ram panic. All glory 10 the navy.
| will forward further particulars when known.
SMITHS DESPATCH
A later despatch from Captain Alexander Smith, In
command OF tho naval fotlls In the Sound person
ally in command Of the gunboats during engagement
with the ram. has been received.
lie states that he captured the Bombshe with thirty
prisoners, officers and that shot had no
percepbe effect upon the ram close alongside but yet
he thinks it is somewhat damaged Our loss in the large
vessels Ave killed and twenty wounded The gallant
Captain able maintain himself against any force the
rebels send.
Captain Smith and command merit the hqhes, com
mendaon; and, though the ram il not destroyed the
prestige OF lost TO IL, and this constitutes
its formidabiity This encounter has had excellent
moral effect, serving to inspire both the army navy
with renewed confidence in the gallantry ability OF
gunboat service.
In addition, the intelligence has had a happy
influence the property holders and residents in this
vicinity, in the assurance u affords that where the tag
floats protection 70 themselves ana property is guar
auteed.