Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-01-18
THE MONITORS AND IRONCLADS.
Interesting Report by Admiral Porter
upon their Performances.

| Before leaving Hampton Roads, and while
| waiting for the army to provide troops for the
| land part OF this expedition, sent the moni.
| tors Canonicus, Mahopac and Saugus up the
| James river TO try what they could do with
| the rebel batteries at Howlet's and above that
| point. At Howlet's the enemy had heavy
Brooke's rifle, which was frequetly fired at the
| monitors, but seldom hitting them. One Of
| their shells or shot, however, struck the Sau-
| gus fair on the turret, and knocked out and
loosened forty bolts.
This was owing to the bolts being driven
| from inside to out, instead OF from outside to
in. The turret was not materially injured and
| was repaired again in about two weeks, and I
have been using the Saugus here, against these
| works, where she has done effective service
| The Canonicus, Mahopac and Monadnock
| left Hampton Roads on the 18th ultimo, the
former two in tow of steamers; the Monadnock
| going under steam, with steamer in compa-
| ny. The weather was quite rough, and at
| times the sea would 90 over the turrets and
| down the tunnels; but passed them while at
| sea, and they were making excellent weather
OF 1t. On asking their commander, afterwards,
how they got along, the answer was, sob,
quite we'll, sir; only a little damp
On arriving at Beaufort, S. g., filled them
up with coal and ammunition l found q de-
feet In pump on board the Canonicus, "a seen.
trifugal pump they called it) which did not
fetch the water until there was foot or more
In the vessel. This was a serious defect and
one for which the constructors were very cul-
pable. The Mahopac's decks leaked consider
ably. and made the officers and crew very un-
comfortable.
The Monitors started from Beaufort on the
18th ultime, the Canonicus and Mahopac being
lowed, the Monadnock declining such assist
ance. Indeed she did not require it, outrun-
ming the largest vessels easily and keeping
ahead OF ell except the vary fastest
On the 2lst ultimo. itss1fne on to blow hard
from the south west, aud q very heavy sea
commenced rolling in. The vessels were ell
anchored in thirteen fathoms water, with a
long scope OF chain out Most of the large
vessels dragged during the gale. The Tusca-
rora and Juniata put to sea Il think unneces-
sarily} while the Monitors rode it out beauti-
fully.
messed their performance. / at first thought
had been imprudent and had unnecessarily
risked the lives Of officers and men, but went
to sleep the first night of the gale quite easy in
my mind, in regard to the monitors / saw
that they were making the best weather. and
riding easier than any OF the other vessels in
the fleet. All the transports cut ard ran,
though l think that was quite unnecessary
After the gale enquired of the commanders of
the monitors, how they passed through the or
deal, and they seemed to think they got along
very well. The smaller monitors, Mahopac
and Cancnicus, at times, almost disappeared
from view, and the commander OF the former
vessel complained CT discomfort, owing to the
decks leaking, but the vessels were in no dan.
ger at any time.
As to the Monadnock, she could ride out a
gale at anchor in the Atlantic Ocean, She is
certainly most perfect success, so far as the
null and machinery are concerned, and is only
defective in some minor details, which in the
tendence Of a thorough seaman, and practi-
cal and ingenious man. The Monadnock is
capable of crossing the ocean alone, when her
compasses are once ad justed property and
could destroy any vessel in the French or
British navy, lay their towns under contribu.
ton, and return again provided she could
pick up cOal) without fear of being followed
She could certainly clear any harbor on our
coast Of 5lockaders, in case we were at war
with q foreign power. AS strong and thick as
the sides OF ibis vessel are, one heavy shot
from Fort Fisher indented the iron On her side
srmor, without, however. doing any material
damage.
These vessels have laid five 81 days under a
fire from Fort Fisher, anchored less than eight
hundred $500 yards off, and though fired at a
great deal, they were seldom hit, and received
no injury, except to boats and light matter
ABOUT decks, which were pretty well cut to
pieces. Compared with the Irensides, their
fire is very slow, and not at all calculated to
silence heavy batteries, which requires
rapid and continuous fire to drive men from
their euns. but they are famous coadjutors i'll
a fight, and put in the heavy blows which tell
On classmates and bombproofs. The smaller
class OF monitors, as at present const cted,
will always require the aid Of a steamer to
tew them and take care of them. In smooth
weather they ought to go along by themselves,
and when towed the tow-rope should never
be less than two hundred (200) fathoms in
length 1t strains them very much to have
short tow line.
do not know yet what their real durability
is or would be in a continuous fire against their
turretS. Solid eleven-inch or two hundred
pOunQef rl1leS are apt 10 break something W0en
they strike, and should be much better salts
fed myself to be behind wooden bulwarks and
take what comes, than to be shut up in an iron
turret, not knowing whether it is properly
a sailor, and should have no weight whatever.
The commanders Of the monitors seem to feel
quite at home and safe in them, and apprehend
no more damage to sea than in any other kind
Of vessel. Commander Senott, of the Monad.
mock, remarked he did not see any difference
between her and anything else.
ha n,a ret Ia usz
fight Off Fort Fisher, and was lowed around
from Norfolk by the Nereas in very rough
weather. The vessel leaked good deal through
her bows, ar0 some uneasiness was fell for her
on that account, but her sea- going qualities
were spoken OF as good. The difficulty was q
mechanical one, and in no way detracts from
the qualities Of the vessel. There is no great
amount OF comfort on board these vessels at
sea, that is conceded on all sides, but they are
a voyage. This is the first time, l believe,
that the monitors have ridden ont heavy gales
in an open sea, at anchor, though they have
ridden out gales in Charleston Roads.
have only to remark that the prin ciple Is q
good one, if the vessels are all built like the
Monadnock. The fire of these vessels con-
tinued with the fire of such vessels as the New
ironsides and heavy frigatss, is very effective,
particularly against heavy plated vessels,
bomb-proofs and stone or brick walls. have
never yet seen vessel that came up to my
ideas Of what is required for offensive opera
tions as much as the 1ronsides. She combines
very many good qualities. The most impor-
tant is the comfort with W hich the people on
board of her live, though she would be no
match for the Monadnock in fight, the latter
having more speed.
The accuracy of fire Is, think, in favor Of
the Ironsides, Judging from what have seen
here. The turrets get filled with smoke, and
do not clear as quicE as the Ironsides, thoagh
that defect could be avoided by not firing both
guns so near together. These Impressions OF
mine are formed from short experience with
monitors, but think they will be found cor
rect, provided the monitors are properly built.
l have the honor to be, very respectfully,
your obedIent servant,
DAVID ID. PORTER, Rear Admiral.
Hon. GIDEON WELLRs, Secretary OF the Navy,
Washington, ID. G..
GENERAL PAINE.-The subject OF General
Paine's acts while in command at Paducah,
Kentucky, was again discussed at length To-
day, upon a proposition by Mr.. Powell to take
the matter from the hands OF the Military Com
mIttee and bring Gen. Paine before court
rial No nnpclnSiOn