Shreveport news., 1865-05-09
The. Ram W. H. Webb---Her
Beginning and End.

This remarkable vessel :si las had
a singular and eventful career
Built For ,ise rs a tug boat in New
York Harbor where she was employ
ed for short season 10 towing some
of the immense ships that visit. the
up from the Narrows; in
this capacity she soon acquired a
reputation for unsurpassed power
and speed. In 1858 or 80. she wac
purchased for similar service on the
Mississippi river, and was lying in
this port at the beginning Of the war.
At that time the rebel naval fever OK
tended to the setting of every vessel
that was strong enough to mount a
gun, and with sufficient steampower
to resist the current Of the river
The Webb was the most useful craft
they had at that time in their i'm
After our feet arrived, the Webb
was taken above the city, and has
been used as a transport, a mail and
passenger steamer, a gunboat and a
ram, and finally in the last part of
her career. was made to play the
part of blockade runner. .o
A week ago, Saturday,, she left
Shreveport with a cargo Of more than
200 bales of cotton, with the
reckless design on the part Of her Of
fcers, to run the gauntlet Of the Mis-
sissippi feet. I'm this enterprise she
seems to have met with no serious
opposition until she came within
range of that noble ship-of. war, the
Lackawana. As she sped by the
latter with the speed of a racer, two
heavy shots struck her near the wa
ter line, and both passed entirely
through her. The holes made
throug III by these shots admitted wa
ter into her hold, and her speed was
checked just before she came within
range Of the Portsmouth, which YES
sci showed indications of paying a
like compliment to the flying rebel
1t appeared as though it was the in.
tention of her commander to surren.
der; but his irresolution, if he had
any such intention, soon gave place
to a determination to run as long III
he could float. More steam was
crowded on. and she sped on her
way round the Point, having, since
passing the Lakawana, hauled dowr
the United States flag, and raised
the rebel emblem.
When she passed the Lackawana
she was going mt the rate of about
lG knots al hour, according to tho
judgment Of some Of our naval offi
GERS, whose opinions in such matters
we rely upon. The reports that sh'
ran thirty or forty miles an hour a
any time, must have originated will
men who are liable to allow them
selves to be excited.
AS soon rs possible some Of oul
gunboats gave chase, the little Hol
lyhock, Lieut.. Com. Gehrardi, taking
the lead. After leaving the city sh,
was unabl. to keep up her extraordi
nary speed, and our gnnboats wer
enabled to gain slowly upon her
The exciting race was kept up 70
distance of twenty-four miles, whel
the unlucky rebel ran upon an oil
familiar foe of hers, an unexpected
danger, the good sloop Richmond
with her sides bristling with heavy
guns. After having shown n reck
lessness and daring worthy of goo
cause, the commander Of the Web
at last allowed his heart to sin,
within him. He ran his ship ashor
set her on fire and abandoned he
1t is quite likely that the two shot
from the Lackawana made the Web
unseaworthy, and led TO her abandon
ment without risking the chances {
passing the Richmond.
1t was the intention of the con
mander, Reed, to take this ram, wit
her cargo of cotton, into Havan;
sell the cargo. and then follow tn
bent of his piratical inclinations,
the direction that promised the be:
returns in the shape Of plumber
: But his career is closed.
1t is not little remarkable tn;
, our sailors can recognise craft the
, have once seen. Such was the ca:
yesterday. Some of the. officers
, the Lackawana, who had seen II
r Webb, detected her at once. althoug
she was disguised by being whit
$ washed, and having cotton bal
I dashed to her sides. But the eye
t an old salt is unerring, or at lea
a was in this case.
We have been able to learn II
following correct details of the In
t great wonder that has astonished :
}. our citiyens--the attempt of the he
=. el ram Webb, to run the long gaur
!. let OF our naval batteries and esca
:, TO sea with cargo Of cotton.
y Lieut.. Commanding, Z. w. Reed
q Lieut.. WIN. II. Wall.
Lieut.. Stephen Billips.
81 Acting Master, S. 2. Blanc.
t. Passed Assistant Surgeon, W.
y Addison.
% Masters Mate, Ben Lewis.