Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1890-08-28
4 wIAmtAa oxlAN,s rlRr.
He Was the First 10 Bring the Mer
rfmac's PiaSs 10 the Notice o

He Was the First 10 Bring Ihe Mer-
rfmac's Piaas 10 the Notice OF
United states Engineers.
A carpenter of this CITY, David II.
Branberry, Of No. IL East Seventh street
lays claim TO certain historical Importance
which, in its oirnumstantiallty OF nara.
ton would entitle him to no mean credit
among those who are esteemed for worthy
deeds during the war of the revolution.
Mr. cranberry tells the g that he
was the man who first brou9h t tine plans
OF the Merriinac to the United States
authorities by which Ericsson and the
northern gineers were enabled to build
the Monitor and subsequently other iron
clRds which turned the tide OF warfare at
the Particular occasion referred to.
Mr.. BiRnberry's story is that he went
to Richmond in the fall of '6l, where
his wife aud child were, ard got detained
there when hostili.ies commenced.
He is Pennsylvania and was brimful
OF Yankee sentiments" He made several
unsuccessful efforts to get away. In order
not 70 be drafted into the Southern army
be obtained employment for himself as a
gun tongue maker in the Tredegar iron
works o. Joseph X. Anderson, in Rioh-
mond. Here large quantity Of cannon
was being made for the rebel army. He
was kept nj work there six months. All
the time he was on the lookout for an op-
portunity to &c. himself and his family TO
Norfolk. The espionage upon anyone
suspected of Northern proclivities was
extreme, The greatest caution was neces-
sary. At length he managed to obtain q
pass for himself and family. 1t was
signed by Governor Letcher. Here be was
detained two weeks Ut the expense of S4
day.
While waiting around Norfolk he got
an opportunity Of rowing around tne
Marrmac, which was. then being con-
stTucted right in front Of Gosport Navy
Yard. Bcanberry's friend was man
named Lyons, machinisl, employed in
the shipysrds. Lyons YVES we'll acquainted
and knew everything going on in the
yards. He made construction plan
OF the Confederate ram upon a
sheet Of rown packing paper. This
he gave to Cranberry, who always kept
il concealed in his boot. The Mer-
rimac vas large three masted schooner,
cut down almost to the waters edge. He
could not get to see her any closer than
by boating around her. The sketch was
la pencil. II showed the outside huil
vita the ram. Ths ram was cast IN
Richmond aud then brought 20 Norfolk.
1t Was not at all like anything in modern
war vessels. II was simply stout steel
rod, bent to an upward curve. II was
then strongly bolted by heavy metal
Il lnges placed to either side OF the bow.
IL was this ugly spike that tore into and
ripped open the Union vessels at the
mouth of the James river.
Mr.. Cranberry got from Norfolk by
applying to General Anger. AT Fortress
Aouros he was stopped by Confederate
| officer but his pass was sufficient even
without his baggage being examined. He
remained until tho 40 days. proclamation
! announced by Jtf Davis had TRANSFERRED
! Th9n he with others was placed on thu
rebel boat Kahookis, when they stopped
In front OF the Ripraps and q northern
| boat ran out from Fortress Monroe aud
took the northerners aboard. This was
MI accomplished under flsg Of truce.
Ga landing Mr.. BrAnberFy acc=sted a
| Young United states ofiiper whom lie told
that he wss de4irOus to see General Wool.
| He was conduct ed within the fort to that
officer.
The general was small man but quite
| active md smart. He had grea. dsal
to say to cranberry on learning that the
latter had inat come across the lines He
| questioned him closely as to all he had
seen along Elizabeth river He wa told
all that B;anoerry had noticed at Sewelis
Point.
"Oh," interjected the general, II could
pass that il two hoursn
well, general, ais visitor added, "it
you nave booC.ck handy could per.
hsps SHOW you something more interest
ing"
Chs old sod a jumped to his feet and
rummAged Er mud for the toilet article
which he handed to Mr cranberry. TIT
latter made mmad late uhe OF it and drey
from the sole nf his boot the sheet 0
brown paper aud presented it to tit
officer.
lIo laughed all over his face" Mr.
Branberry la.ss, "a5 he gradual.
seemed to recognize what vas in hi
hands.
s'He kept it. Aud that is all eve
heard Of the matter from General Woo
or anyone else"
Mr.. Branberry was not In the Unite
States army. All the service he did dur
ing the war was while on a raidiug exps
dition to Gettysburg as militiama
ander Captain Ham Of Chester county
Pennsylvania.