The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1865-12-14
The MOnadnOck at Sea--The Sea-
EnInu nnnIirIn. NJ The NInnSrnr


To the Editor the Army and Navy Journal
srs-The Monadu5ck arrived here on
Saturday last, her appearance in the harb5r
Batura ly causing great sensation among
the people Of the island, who soon began to
crowd Our decks and view with wondering
curiosity every feature Of the vessel.
The people have turned out eH HtGssc,
from the Governor down 20 prsttling chill
dren. Il is amusing 10 witness h ir ex-
pressions of amazemsnt at the strange look
ing craft, which is now, for the first time
introduced 10 them.
Our voyage from Hampton Roads to So.
Thomas mas afforded another iudubita5le
proof Of the sea worthiness Of the Monitlr
10 has demonstrated what, indeed, has been
proved often enough before, though not
enough TO convince those who will not be-
level that a vessel only few inches out Of
water without bulwarks, and, Of course,
with the openings in the deck made water
tight, is, Of all others, the very craft to con-
tend with a heavy sea without injury 10
herself.
The Monaduock left Hampton Roads on
the morning Of the 81 Of November. in
company with the following vessels as CON
vov: o. g. s. Vanderbilt (bearing the
broad penusnt OF Commodore Jno. Rodgers],
POwhatan captain Daniel B. Didgely). Tus-
carora Commander Fabius StaalyI. Tue
usual sailing orders having been issued,
the vessels started on their long journey
20 ean Francisco. Nothicg Of consequence
occurred until the morning Of the 9TH Of
November We experienced heavy weather
from the 3D., but the night Of the 4th, and
the morning Of the 5th, heavy gales were
encountered. The wind was " n W,
with heavy sea running. At I o'cloek, a.
m, Of the 5th, we parted our eeriug
gear, and for five hours lay 70, for the pur-
! pose Of repairing This afforded an admir-
able opportunity for again proving the due
sea-going qualities Of the vessel. ! can
| truly say, better sea boat does not exist
| The whole time we luy %, the vessel rolled
so easily that 1t could hardly be felt below
| decks. Meanwhile the beautiful corvette
| Tuscarora, rolled 50 shat she shipped a
heavy sea, putting out her fires.
The Tuscarora parted cOnpsny with us,
and we did not see her again until our
! srrival in 50 Thomas. The other vessels
/ had come 10 the conclusion that we had
| gone down, but the Al0nadnock rode out the
/ gsle better than any Of them. The test Of
| her has been a thorough one. She goes
easily in rough weather, and rides as well
a. any wooden ship. She does not Ia Dor or
strain like anv other vessel; but rides grace
| fully TO the sea, throwing toe water OF the
decks like q monster or the deep With
| 20 pounds Of steam, We average sixty revO-
lutous, and nine miles an hour With
heavy sea on We have never averaged less
than three knots, making only 40 revolu-
tioHs. We are all confident that We shall
make the voyage safely, and are perfectly
! satisfied with our gallaat craft There Fss
not q moment when either officers or men
| showed any unessiness regarding the vessel,
during the different gales we encountered
J We leave here on Monday next Tor CAYENNE.
IR0E CAD.
L. S. Monitor Mousdnock,
s.. Thomas, Nov. Is, 1855.