Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1864-12-08
lies, say they. has ever been TO democrat
isation and decay. Monarchy Is the
thing. What kind OF democracy Is that
The sinking of the Rebel Pirate
Florida,

Florida.
The full particulars of tho sinking OF
this noted pirate steamer, In Hampton
Roads, OF Newport News, are thus CIV
en- by Fortress Monroe correspondent
of the New York World
"ou the 18th November the Florida
was ordered by the Navy Department TO
be taken up the James River and an
chored under the guns of the ram At
lanta, off Newport News. On the 10Th
the Florida went to Norfolk to coal, and
just before starting was run into by the
transport steamer Alliance, and very Sc
riously damaged. The transport struck
her on her bow, knocking or her head
chains and blooms, and otherwise injur-
ing her. She was In very bad condition
when captured, aud all the time since
her arrival here she has leaked SO BADLY
rs to keep the steam pump engaged con-
tinually. The collision with the ALI
ance greatly increased the volume of the
water which constantly poured into her,
causing her TO Gil at the rate of eight
inches an hour. On the arrival of the
Florida At Newport News an additional
pump was secured from the Atlanta, and
the two were kept uninterruptedly at
work. The position Of the vessel was
about half mile from the shore, and
three quarters OF mile below the At
lanta. Here she had remained since the
Goth. A very strict watch had been
kept day and night, rs it was supposed
that measures might be taken by the
rebels to attempt her destruction from
the shore. About 0 o'clock on Sunday
evening one Of the pumps suddenly gave
out, throwing an additional burden upon
the remaining one, though the water
was fora time apparently kept down as
before. At IL O'Clock Acting Master
Baker inspected the pump, and observ-
ing that the water was not then gaining,
retired.
An hour afterward the engineer In
charge reported to him that he could
not keep the vessel clear, and that the
water was gaining constantly. The
commander Immediately called all
hands, the deck pumps were rugged, and
they commenced bailing actively. The
Atlanta was also signaled without de-
lay, and two boats crews were hurried
from the ram to the aid of the sinking
vessel. Before they arrived, however
the water had risen considerably above
the fire,room floor, SO that it was found
necessary to put the fires out. The
pump engine was thus stopped, and the
water kept pouring in at a fearful rate.
1t was impossible at any time, after it
was found the Inflated ship was sinking
to move her toward the shore, as there
was but seven pounds pressure of steam
Just sufficient TO work the pumps.
Neither was there means at hand for
towing her ashore. From the fact that
the boilers Of the Florida were construct
ed for burning soft coal, and there was
only hard coal on board, 1t took, under
any circumstances, long time to get
up sufficient steam to work her engines
But is was apparent that she must
soon sink, and the men were ordered to
save their effects, and prepare to leave
her TO her fate. The Florida kept rap
idly filing, so that at seven O'Clock the
water was foot above the berth deck.
At the same time that Mr.. Baker sig
nailed the Atlanta, he sent a Geographic
message to Admiral Porter, that the
Florida was sinking. The Admiral i'm
mediately ordered the tug Page to steam
up to the Florida, and tow her into
shoal water toward the shore. The tug
came alongside at 7:15, but the Florida
was by this time so near sinking that it
was deemed dangerous to attach it, as
In going down she would take the tug
along with her. A few minutes after,
with eight feet of water in her, she
careened over and disappeared stern
foremost.