The Black Republican., 1865-04-29
THE RAM ". Il. WEBB.

THE RAN ". Il. WEBB,
HER BEGINNING AND END
This remarkable vessel has had singu-
lar and eventful career. Built for use
as a tugboat in New York Harbor
where she was employed for a short
season in towing some of the i'm
mense ships that visit the metropolis up
from the Narrows; in this capacity she soon
acquired reputation for unsurpassed power
and speed. In 1853 or '59 she was purchased
for similar service on the Mississippi river,
and was lying in this port at the breaking
out Of the war At that time the rebel naval
fever extended to the seizing of every YES
sci that was strong enough to mount gun
and with sufficient steam power to resist the
current Of the river. The Webb was the
most useful craft they had at that time in
their improvised navy
After our fleet arrived the Webb was taken
above the city, and has been used as a trans
port, a mail and passenger steamer, a gun
boat and ram, and finally in the last act of
her career was made to play the part of a
blockade runner.
On last Saturday she left Shreveport
| with a cargo Of more than 200 bales cotton,
with the reckless design on the part of her
officers to run the gauntlet ofthe Mississippi
| feet. In this enterprise she. seems to have
| met with no serious opposition until
came within range of the guns of that noble
ship Of war the Lackawana. As she sped
by the latter with the speed Of racer two
heavy shots struck her near the water line,
and both passed entirely through her. The
| holes made through by these shots admitted
water into her mold, and her speed was
| checked just before she came within range
Of the Portsmouth, which vessel showed in
dications of paying compliment to the fly
ing rebel. It appeared as though it was the
intention of her commander to surrender:
but his irresolution, if he had any such inten-
tlOn, soon gave place to determination to
run along as long as he could float. More
steam was crowded on, and she sped on her
way round the Point, having, since passing
the Lackawana, hauled down the United
States flag and raised the rebel emblem.
When she passed the Lackawana she was
going at the rate Of about sixteen knots an
hour, according to the judgment Of some of
our naval officers, whose opinions in such
matters we rely upon. The reports that she
ran thirty or forty miles an hour at any
time must have originated with men who
are liable to allow themselves to be excited
AS soon as possible some Of our gunboats
al. n
Com. Gehrardi, taking the lead. After
leaving the city she was unable to keep up
her extraordinary speed, and our gunboats
were able to gain slowly upon her. The ex-
citing race was kept up for distance Of
about twenty-four miles, when the nnlucky
rebel raE upon an old familiar foe of hers
an unexpected danger,-the good sloop
Richmond, with her sides bristling with
heavy guns. After having shown a reck-
lessness and daring worthy of good cause,
the commander of the Webb at last allowed
his heart to sink within him. He ran his
ship ashore, set her on fire, and abandoned
her 1t is quite likely that the two shots
from the LackaWana made the Webb un-
seaWorthy, and led to her abandonment
without risking the chances of passing the
Richmond.
1t was the intention of the commander.
Reed, to take this ram, with her cargo of
cotton, into Havana, sell the cargo, and
then follow the bent ofhis piratical inclina-
tions il the direction that promised the best
returns in the shape of plumber. But his
career is closed.
It is not little remarkable that our sail
ors can recognize a craft they have once
seen. Such was the case yesterday. Some
of the officers OF the Lackawana, who had
seen the Webb, detected her at once,
although she vas disguised by being white
washed, and having cotton bales lashed to
her sides. But the eye of an old salt is
unerring, or at least vas in this case.