The National tribune., 1882-03-25

institution was about to follow in the same
direction. The forward iron overhang or
projecting deck, which presented a flat sur
face to the water, struck the water at times
with such tremendous force that it seemed
almost certain that the hull and deck would
part and that both would go to the bottom.
Sometimes the rear end of the vessel was
entirely out of sight in the water. The
slapping of the forward overhang on the
water loosened great many iron bolts, and
leaks developed with increased rapidity. Ihe
crew worked with desperation. The firemen
waded knee deep in water on the tireroom
deck. The hull had never been properly
cleaned out at the navy yard, and loose
debris choked up the pumps. The sailors
would plunge head and shoulder under
water, and claw at the pump valves until
nearly suffocated. Then they would come
up and take breath or two and plunge
down again. The water dashed against the
heated bars of the engine-room, and created
most dangerous gas. One line of men
passed buckets of water up through the
turret, and another line passed up shot and
shell to be thrown overheard. We all ex-
pected the vessel would sink. Invent below
at the expiration Of my watch, first request
ing brother officer to send me word when
the crisis appeared at hand, not desiring to
be drowned in my coffin. / found every
thing in perfect order below. Two or three
seamen had to be dragged out of their hid
ing-places, but the rest behaved nobly. The
officers were cool and selfpossessed. All
that could be heard of the storm was the
subdued washing Of the seas. The Paymas-
ter asked me how things looked outside.
Bad I answered. WELL he rejoined, if
I've got to go, think I'll put on my best
suit of Clothes and he Immediately donned
a new and more snowy uniform. We were
then running against the wind, but feared to
got into the trough of the sea our massive
iron turret should roll off, and the black
waters pour into the large hole thus thrown
open, and instantaneously engulf us.
THE SINKING OF THE ORIGINAL MONITOR.
1.-The Monitor, with ninety men on board,
had already signaled for assistance Boats
went to it from the steamer towing it, and
rescued all of the crew but eleven. These
latter feared to make the transit from the
turret to the lifeboat, owing to the fury Of
the surges, and by their hesitation lost their
lives. With one lurch the gallant iron-clad
disappeared in the roaring midnight billows.
BY signal lights we now communicated with
the steamer towing us, and desired to be put
about. The perilous movement was imme-
diately attempted. Hardly man in the
ship drew breath when we swayed in the
trough of the sea. That moment of intense
anxiety was like an age. We came around
all right, however, and Immediately set to
work to clear the vessel of water, which we
succeeded in doing After fruitless attempt
to return to Fortress Monroe which was
baff1ed by the stormy weather, we finally
completed our voyage by safely reaching
Beaufort, S. c. The news had been tele-
graphed all over the country that both
monitors had been lost, and when the Passdic
came steaming in her appearance was greeted
with loud cheers from the awaiting feet"
ITO be continued.