Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1865-04-18
Tho Impending Naval Engagement
'-'-r OHthe Coast of Spain.

OH Nhe CoA1L OF SPAIN
From q correspondent, Of the London Herald.
therein hand you particulars and infor.
nation concetning the Confederate steam
ram StonewRu, and the United States
frigate Niagara and sorew corvette Sacra.
mento, about to take part in a naval en-
gagement' off this port! The two last
namedrVessels arc at present in Corunns,
distant about eleven miles from here. They
have both had stesm up on board for some
weeks past, watching night and day for
the appearance of the, Stonewall. The ex-
citement here and in Cor1nna is immense.
The sympathy of the Spaniards is entirely
with the confederates. i'
Tho Stonewall put into Corunna on the
2lst OF February last, from Bordeaux, hav-
ing experienced bad weather, and sprung
a leak aft, about the Sd of February. She
came to Ferrol for repairs in the govern
ment arsenal here. About ten days after
her arriva! here, the Niagara came in, be.
ing followed by the Sacramento the fol-
lowing day. After they had been here for
some five days, the Admiral commanding
requested the federals to leave the port,
which they accordingly did, making for
Corunna, where they remained at anchor
with steam up until the I4th inst, when
they weighed anchor and cruistd about
outside the port for about two days, bad
weather coming on they again entered Co.
runna, and are now awaiting the depart
ure of the Stonswall from this place, which
would have taken place this morning but
for the strong wind that is blowing from
the southwest. OOe ofthe officers of the
Stonewall has just Informed me that they
are TO steam out to morrow morning, if
weather permits. Capt. Page, commanding
the ram, arrived here from Paris two days
ago, and Immediately requested the
permission of the Admiral to al
low him to leave the port at any mo-
ment. The Stonewall is an iron plated
vessel OF about nine hundred tons, having
ram, or PROV, forward about twenty two
feet long. Her armament consists of one
three hundred FOUNDER Armstrong guu,
worked from an armor plated turret, right
in the bows of the ship. She has also an
other armor plated turret aft; in which are
two seventy FOUNDER Armstrong guus.-
These three are the only guns she carries.
She is built on the twin screw principle;
engines about three hundred and twenty
horse power; nominal speed of vessel about
ten miles. Her crew consists of about six
teen officers and eighty men, all told. The
greater part of them are men who belonged
TO the Ala6Hma aud Florida. Captain Page
s4SRissHp aSs Rshs s'sS RA asS s sad 1if5 ssi5
that as the confederacy had no longer any
ports in the Northern States, 1t was useless
going to America; so they have n nade up
their minds to conquer or be conquered
All the yards and topmasts have been low
cred, aud everything on board put in fight
ing trim. The men would not turn in last
night, but were up the whole night singing
patriotic songs. All on board are sanguine
of success from the captain downwards-
1t is intended only to FIRE shells from the
large gun. The federals rely entirely on
success by running the ram down or board
ing her.
The Niagara is commanded by Commo-
dore Craven. She carries twelve two hun :
dred.pounder Parrot guns. Her tonnage
and horse power you have probably by you
She steams about twelve miles, but is very
leng, and cannot turn round in less than
halfa mile, whereas the ram can turn round
in her own length.
The Sacramento carries eleven two hun.
dred. pouuder Parrot guns, and has q crew
of about three hundred men the Niagara
has a crew of four hundred and fifty men,
1t is the general opinion of people here
that if the Stonewall can but lodge one of
her three hundred pound shells in either of
the federals it will sink them in five min
utes.
There are two Spanish frigates waiting
to accompany the ram out 10 sea, in order
that no fighting may take place in Spanish
waters. Tho guns in the forts have been
got ready for action in case the federals
should attempt to break neutrality.
The Admiral of the station sympathizes
with the South, aud when taking leave of
the captain of the Stonewall yesterday said
he wished him success from his heart.
The wind is blowing very strong at pres.
ent; almost fear the ram cannot leave to-
morrow, but will write and advise you
later if anything fresh occurs.