Semi-weekly news., 1865-05-06
The Ram w. H. Webb---Her
Beginning and End.

singular anu eV6nt1Ol Career
Built tor use as tug boat in New
York Harbor, where she was employ
ed for II short season in towing some
Of the immense ships that visit the
Metropolis up from the Narrows; III
this capacity she soon acquired a
reputation for unsurpassed power
aud speed. In 1858 or SO, SHE was
purchased for similar serv ce on the
Mississippi river, and was lying in
this por, at the beginning Of the war,
At thar time the rebel naval frvtrrA.,
tended to the seizins of every vessel
that was strong enough to moust a
gun. and with sufficient stea,npow-r
to resist the current Of tho river
The Webb was the most useful craft
they had at that time in their i'm.
poverished navy.
After our feet arrived, the Webb
Jwas taken above the .ci-y, and has
been used as transport, mail and
passenger steamer. \ gunboat and a
ram, and finally in the last part OF
her career, was made to play the
part of blockade runner.
A week ago. Sac7dav, she left
Shreveport with a cargo Of more than
200 bales Of cotton, with the
reckless design on the part Of her Of
ticers, to run the gauntlet Of the Mis-
sissippi feet. In this enterprise she
seems TO have met with no serious
opposition until she came within
range Of that noble ship of, war. the
Lnckawana. AS shc sped by the
latter with the speed Of n racer, two
heavy shots struck her near til. wa
ter line. and both passed entirely
through her. The holes made
through by these shots admitted wa
ter into her hold, and her speed was
checked just before sh" ca,r. within
range Of the Portsmouth. which YES
sci showed indications OF paying a
like compliment to tn" flying rrb.'l.
1t appeared as though it was the in.
trntion Of her commander to snrr-n-
der; but his irresolution, if he had
any such intention. coon gave place
to a determination to run AS long as
he could foat. More steam was
crowded on. and she sped on her
way round the Point, having, since
passing tho Lakawana. hauled down
tho United States dng, and raised
the rebel emblem
When she passed the 1ackawara,
she was going at the rate Of about
l6 knots An hour. according 70 tn"
Judgment Of some OF our naval o+ii-
GERS, whose opinions in euch matters
We rely upon. Tn. reports that she
ran thirty or forty miles al hour a;
any time. must have originated with
men who are liable to allow them
selves 10 br excited.
AS soon as possible some of our
gunboats gave chase, the little Hol-
lyho"k, Lieut.. Com. Grhrarui. taking
the lead. After leaving the city she
was unable to keep up her cxtraordi
nary speed, and our gunbcats were
enabled to gain slowly upon her
1h. exciting race ~as kept NJ FOR
u distance of twrn,y-four miles. hen
the unlucky rebel ran u|on AN old
familiar foe of hers, au unexpected
danger. the good soo2 Ri hnond.
with her sides bris,lnS with heavy
guns. After having shown r.ck
lessnes, and daring worthy Of good
cause, the commaast+r Of the Webb
ut last allowed his heart TO sink
within E:r1. He ran his ship p ashore
Set her on fir. and abandoned her.
1t is quite likely that the two shots
from the Lackawana made the Webb
unseaworthy. and led to her abandon
ment without risking the chances Of
passing the Richmond.
1t WAS the intention Of the com
mander, Reed, to take this ram, with
her cargo Of cotton. into Havana.
sell the cargo, and then follow the
bent Of his piratical inclinations. in
the dir, ction that promised the best
returns in the shape Of pluuder.-
But his career is closed.
It is not littl. rpmarkab BILE that
our sailors can recognise 81 craft they
have once seen. Such was the cas..
yesterday. Some of the officers OF
the Lackawana. who had seen the
Webb, detected her at once, although
she was disguised by being white
washed, and having cotton bales
lasbed to her sides. But tn. eye Of
an old salt is unerring. or at least
was in this case.
We have been able to learn the
following correct details Of the last
great wonder that has astonished all
our citizens-the attempt Of the reb-
el ram Webb, to run the long gaunt-
let of our naval batteries and escape
to sea with cargo of cotton.
Lieut.. Commanding. y. w. Reed.
Lieut.. VIM. H. Wall.
Lieut.. Stephen Billips.