Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-07-08
Value of IroncladS.

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nations through the exploits Of the Eir-
ginia (Merrin a:) in Hampton Roads
and of the Tennessee in Mobile bay the
power of ironclads. And then she
taught the Weakness of the ironclads
when torpedoes defend the harbor.
After these lessons it seems an lntatu-
alton to continue the construction OF
armored ships. But still the great duel
goes on and with increasing disastrous
results. In eeking to float armor which
no canr IN can penetrate the limits OF
buoyancy have long been passed, and
unless we can substitute for iron some
material as light as wood and hard as
iron we may wisely return to the wood
en- ships.
In the course of two hours the Hart
ford received over 20 shots in her hull
many from 10-inch and S-inch cannon,
but still she sailed and fought with no
visible impairment of her bouyancy or
activity.
In re; sonably smooth seas it is easy
and quick work to stop shot holes in
wooden hulls, even when below the wa
ter line.
Let us try and pass in review the me-
morable events of naval history during
the past SO yeaiS
During tne war between the States
| IS Federal vessels were reported sunk
hv ;orpedces. III e total number sunk
in Mobile bay is stated at II. One only
was: unk bv cannon. The others were ali
sunk by torpedoes, and very rude
sort OF torpedoes. The best were beer
casks anchored by mushroom anchors.
Captain Boutelle, now an able member
of Congress, informed the writer that
it was his duty, more exciting than
agreeable, to sweep the torpedoes out
of the way: that in one week nine boats
were sunk. The writer saw two go
down one day on Appala,hee bar. An
officer. who after the war raised these
wrecks, said ~ hey all had hole in
their bottom al out S feet by 10, and
all Int one were sunk while backing.
Colonel Won Shelhia, formerly of the
PlusSlan army, was for a considerable
time engaged n preparing these sub
marine dcieucts. After the Confeder-
ale war he r, turned to Prussia, was
upon the staff of Won Moltke, and was
charged with the topeio defence of the
Baltic ports. 1t will be remembered
that Mt that time the French Emperor
had caused an iron-clad fleet to be con-
structed which seemed terror to all
maritime powers. This great arma-
ment attempted to enter German
port. The leading ship was struck by
a torpedo and so damaged that no 9TH
er attempted to enter. The whole
squadron returned to Cherbourg, where
it has lain rotting ever since.
Prior to the last war between Russ a
and Turkey the Turks bought in Eng
land an iron-clad fleet of great power.
1t was commanded by one of the most
daring British sailors then living. But
the Russian torpedoes paralyzed the
whole of its action, and, like the
French, it retired into a safe harbor
and did no harm at all to the enemy.
AT the taking of the Pinho forts in
China the French torpedoes destroyed
the whole Chinese fleet, lately bought
from England. The flagship was hi,
| orally blown to pieces and not soul
escaped.
Armor has provided no defence
against torpedocs. The heavier the
plating the swifter the destruction.
In truth, the history of the heavily
| ironed ships has been very calamitous
and more destructive to their own peo-
pie than to the enemy.
The Virginia (Merrimac) did great
damage to hostile fleet. The Moni-
tor, after escaping from her by running
into shoal water, made no other hos
tile efIo.t and went down off Hatteras
in q gale of wind. Her captain, Bank
head, "srt of her crew escaped IN
boats to the steamer sent along to tow
her and rescue the crew, as she did.
In Charleston harbor the iron-clads
Jared badly.
The great Ironsides was struck and
disabled by Lieutenant Glassell, the
Keokuk was sunk by the guns of Fort
Sumter, and the gallant Lieutenant
Dixon, of the Twentyiirst Alabama,
sunk with his torpedo-boat David the
fine new corvette Housatonic.
But it is not alone in war these ships
have been so unfortunate. The dread
iul catastrophe of the Captain, about
twenty years ago, was signal but un'
needed warning.
That ship was the beast of the British
navy. The iron-clad fleet, built with
great energy to eclipse, if possible, that
of France, was cruising in the British
Channel. The wind was freshening
The order to shorten sail was signalled
by the admiral but too late for >the
luckleSs Captain. She careened, cap
: sized, and went down, carrying neal
six hundred officers and men. She went
down bottom up and full of air like q
diving-bell, so that many of those
unfortunate men may have lived
many hours, in full consciousness O
their hopeless condition. Amongst
them were Captain Cooper Coles, the
pride of the English navy, and other
officers of high culture. No doubt they
) wrote and securely enclosed the mem
oranda ofthose fearful hours, believing
that in progress of science means would
be found of reaching their tomb ant
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