The New York herald., 1864-05-15
The Union Wooden Gunboat Sassaeus Bucks
the Rebel Iron.Clad and 1t.
tempts to Sink Her.
TERRIBLE HAND TO HAND ENCOUNTER.
The Ram Badly Damaged by the
Weeden Gunboats and
Forced TO Retire.
THE CASUALTIES on BOARD THE SiSSACuS,
&C., xs.s ~.
Our Naval Correspondence.

&C., As., -.
Our Naval Correspondence.
USrKp STATES STEAMER sAssAors,l
ALBENARLE SOUND, N. c., May s, 1854.
The previously received report that the rebels had
iron clad up the Roanoke river and the anticipated
neaciency OF the few small stationed in Abe
marie Sound in OF attack confirmed by the
capture Of Plymouth N. c., short time ago. The
squadron consequently reinforced by four Of the
new doubleenders three OF which--the Matabesett,
Sassacus and Wyausing-wers sent to Albemarle Sound
We had made oil preparations necessary for contest
with almost invulnerabe enemy, ready to do Ut
most IL we could get fair chance at her.
On the 9th instant. at three p NJ, the senior ship,
Ms,aneset made signals for the squadron get under
wav, starting at the time, In lead the Sassacus
followed next then the wyausng. We proceeded farther
up the Sound, and nearer to Roanoke tho hiding
place Of our foe. At four P. N. the Watch was
communicating with our steamer Massasot. whr'h came
down the Sound with news from picket boats The
Matabesett sgnazed 70 prepare for action was
Immediately done. Soon after discovered the long
spoke OF rebel company With two other steamers
oil bearing down to US, and the United States
Miami and picket boats falling back before them We
proceede tho above order, and with full speed our
course The rebels in OF the steamers seemed to
have msgivings In regard to the result OF tho
ram, though, followed by her remaining companion,
kept on her way toward us. The Matabssets passed
closely by the ram. giving her, with coed wil her
whole broadside. We followed at about three cables
length aud renewed the dose; then te wyalusing
practising the same sport but all these halls OF solid
shot from hundred FOUNDER Parrots and nnench
Dahgrsus like pebbles thrown upon an iron plain
Al least damage perceptbe the outside
ram sheering BY the ram, and wheeling ground her
rio9 N hns~
In annoying with her shot and SHE'LL and discharged
upon her our, In the meantime, reloaded .uns Hero
good intentions were crowned by better She
rendered Immediately, and we know that she Is the
famous steamer Bombshel who times changed
We ordered her TO stern and anchor
which she promptly did. We then turned ship and
our attention again to the who had kept up
sant re aud, being at proper d taucs from her
for gathering sufficient headwsy, We down 10 her
with . speed OF ten TO eleven knots, striking fairly
amidships on her starboard side. forcing her
side down, that the flowing over
her deck. We kept thus her, pushing her
before us, and hoping tht might succeed bringing
her open ports under water, at least keep her foul
until Of the other vessels could attack her
the opposite side. II this could have teen done she
would doubtless have been ours; for she could
her guns at ALL II she had trained them the sie
they would all have en- pointing towards sEy. We
kept up constant fire at her forward port gAstng tw,
shots fairly into We nushed before for several
minutes, when she worked herself free from grasp
wsg ng gradually around towards starboaad bow.
THIS gave her chance OF using her against and
she used them with terrific effect In rt shot nred
with her gun almost touching bow. Il entered
feet aba stem. aud about three feet tie cop
per- passing through the yeoman's storeroc crossing
the berth de- aud issuing through the port side at
abou forty feet from It's ap,rance. The second shot
{ao
diasonany through the plankng "nd frames, piercing
two knees. smashing tae dspe.sary, passing through
the forward coal bunker going through the star
board boiler and the engse room, cuttidg oil three
inch iron sancaion, smeshng its further passage the
seer e aud wsrdFoom buKhelds porIoratins the magt
and glancny with spent right angles
from slanchou iato one OF the starboard state
rooms, vi ere IL lodged In locker.
Tue effect OF this shot terrific The steam issuing
from the damaged boiler lei the wboa snip instantly
with sufrocating and scsldug atmosphere for whcn
fact our losses are the proof But Notwithstanding
this a.cdent. which doubtless trying the courage
OF tn best an brtvest, officers and that IS, all
OF III withau. ptens'ood to their duties as
they were made o. m1rble with iron hearts,
1he AIMED close on our star board side, dslg.
ing sarboard wheel and firing her guns iuio as
rarhy AZ they could be loaded. Bot not .alc
eithor We rshcG solid shots through her open ports,
the who gathered 10 rcpel bo,rders. II sloh
attempt should be mad, BY the rebs discharged their
muskets With deliberate aim 1t the loading the hos
tie grs driving iheni from their posts and compelling
the to close her ports. We shot away the nssstaa
bearing the traitors rav and stang slowly ahesd on
vacuum, hred as ions We o,a'! bring guns to
bear wnen the easine stopped were ana,y carried
! out Of notion
Tie ram retrsaied now followed and ortca surrounded
4 .tsf.
| incessant lre Until uigh
| llpk friends Al bono win ha satisfied with wb',
tholr wooden vessels have done this wi
ram who pronounced q be a cas, as formidable as
| the Mcrrmso The hon tue vessel was.
full of scaling stcam, orr -uav almost touchins the
muzzle2 OF The adversary or sdsi or wounded men
| groanng and shrekng with dssp, = and pain, nobody
know ng n our ship would su. srer The collision or
| not-was horrible beyond dsscri,t1n aad every coe
must admire the heroism with Shra every attended
to bs duty. Al no exercise cgaId the guns have oeea
more rapidly or more accurately ed than then,
aud the engineers apd nremcn could 30, oooy
performed any Of their Offices than whom they, potwith-
standng me scading atmosphere, hauled the fires, 10
order 70 Prevent M explosion Of the remaining boiler
Every nlcor on board this shin 10 satisfied with aud
proud Of the crew OF this vessel and every mnn Is con-
cent that lieutenant Commander A. Roe, assisted by
- officers s just the TO lead hs ship into Ggh,
l and 10 take care of her.
Assistant Surgeon Edgar Holden the thanks Of
the wounded fr the faithful assistance he rendered them
l durlag ID, action.
Tho follow lng = list OF the casustcs-
J1e, " Hobby, cbief Engineer, sosised severely
=, VI. bpyle, first class fireman, schldd seysrelf
Inoras Weicl hrst aes fireman, scs.ded dascrourlv
jones iiiCtt hnt eass fireman. tcslded end woundoo
IN 0rtallg died since.
W ! -isud, nrst class fireman. fcalded; died
sirc..
Esvare ., secoud cinss nrcmoa, scalted sevrrey
es .iIkv, s.cvnd class fireman, scadcd teYervy,