Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-02-28
ale either fears his fate too much.
Or his deserts are small
That dares not put 1t TO the touch,
10 gain or lose IL all"
THE DESTRUCTION OF THE SiEBRIMAo BY THE
CONFEDERAIEs-

The conference in Norfolk of May 9th as
TO the disposal of the lIerrimac had re-
suited in the decision that 1.-THE Merrimac
was then employed to best advantage, and
that she should continue for the present
TO protect Norfolk. and thus AFFORD time TO
remove the public property" Commodore
Tatnall upon this joined his ship. at anchor
near Sewell's Point. On May 10th, about
10 A. NJ, 1t was observed that no Confede-
rate flag was flying at Sewell's Point bat
terry and that the fort seemed to be aban-
doned. Flag-Leutenant j. Pembroke
Jones was Immediately sent TO Craney Is
land, and there learned for the first time
that a large force of the enemy had landed
al Bay Shore and were rapidly marching
on Norfolk, and that our troops were re-
treating. Lieutenant Jones was then sent
to Norfolk TO confer with Gene
raj Huger, in command at that
place, aud with Captain Sidney 5.
Lee at the navy-yard. At the hayward
he found everything In flames, and that
all the officers had left on the railroad. At
Norfolk he was informed that General
huger and all his officers had left and that
the enemy were in half mile of the city
IN treaty with the mayor for its surrender.
At about Z =. NJ. he reached the Merrimac
with his report, and at this hour oil the
batteries on the river and Craney Island
had been abandoned by our troops. The
night was fast approaching, and what was
TO be done must be done quickly. 1t
had been decided previously that the
Merrimac could accomplish nothing IN
York river by reason Of its width and many
creeks Of refuge. The ascent of the Poto-
mac 70 Washington, except In good wes-
Their was Impracticable. A venture out-
side the capes was an imposslbllity. Battle
with the Federal fleet III the Roads on their
own terms gave no encouragement. liz had
been previously declined. and now, with
our base OF supplies in the hands of our
enemies. they had out to keep out OF our
way and ten DAYS or week would bring
the crew of the Merrimac face TO face with
starvation and capitulation.
In the emergency and under the assu-
rance of the pilots that If the ship were
hghtened To eighteen feet she could be
carried To within forty miles of Richmond,
Commodore Iatnall called his crew TO
quarters and informed them Of his pur-
pose. With cheer they set to work To
tighten ship. dumping overheard all heavy
stones. ballast, and pig-iron which had
been put aboard to bring Ter down in the
water TO fighting trim. Commodore Tat
nall being unwsll, had retired to rest.
Between and z A. NJ. of the 18th he
was aroused by Lieutenant Catesby Jones,
with the report that after the crew had been
at WORK some iye hours, and had lightened
the ship so as TO expose her hull, aud rem
der her unit for action, the pilots now
SAID the ship could not be carried with
eighteen feet above jamestown Flats.
Some distance above this point the river
was in possession of the enemy on both
banks. Tatnall demanded of his pilots the
reason for their deception or change Of
opinion. They replied eighteen feet could
be carried over jamestown Flats during
the prevalence of easterly winds, but as
the wind had been westerly for several
days they were unwilling TO make the at
tempt.
The wooden hull was now above water
and entirely defenceless against shot and
shell. Her ballast had been thrown over
board and nothing was at hand TO bring
her down in the water again. To engage
the Federal fleet was now hopeless aud
shorn OF every prospect OF success. The
attempt must meet with certain destruc-
ton and great sacrifice OF life.
BURNED.
A hasty conference with his officers de-
cided Tatnall that the wisest course now
open to him was to abandon and burn his
ship aud save his crew for service In Rich
mond. He was therefore put on shore ~
near Craney Island as possible, and having
but two boats, 1t took three hours to land
her crew. She was set FIRE to fore and aft
and was soon in full blaze. At
about $50 o'clock on tho morn
ing of the 18th Of May. 1862, her
magazine exploded. and the Merrimac
was thing OF the past. In the blaze of
the burning vessel the crew were marched
to Suffolk. twenty-five miles distant, when
they took train for Richmond. arriving
there In time to render valuable service in
our land batteries ct Drury's Bluff. whore
they had the pleasure Of again meeting
and foiliug their old adveraariss, the Mon