The National tribune., 1894-09-27
A MONITOR AT SEA.
Intensely Disagreeable Situations Durin
Heavy Weather OFF the Atlantic Coast

Intensely Disagreeable Situations During
Heavy Weather off the Atlantic Coast.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: About JAN
2, 1863, / was ordered by Admiral Gregory
to report to Commander John Downs as
Coast Pilot on board u. S. Monitor Nahant,
then on her passage from Boston to the
Maynard at Brooklyn. All | knew at
that time about monitor was that the first
Monitor whipped the Merrimac. The Ma
liant arrived at the Navy-yard.
Now, bad followed the sea for nearly 90
years in every kind of vessel, but when |
saw the monitor as she lay at anchor with
her decks nearly a-wash with the swell of
the tide, the only thing to he seen about her
decks being tuTret and smokestack, was
surprised.
On board I found Commander John
Downs and reported to him. The Execu-
tive Officer was Lieutenant Commander
David b. Harmony. All the officers were
perfect gentlemen, and everything went
agreeably on board.
In the meantime the Weebawken, a sister
monitor, commanded by Capt. john Rodgers,
was ready for sea, and both vessels proceeded
to Sandy Hook, where we adjusted our COM
passes and proceeded down the coast, bound
for Hampton Roads. The Weehawken was
In the advance, and each vessel had a tug
ahead. We had not gone far when the Wee
hawken turned back and passed inside the
Hook, for what cause we knew not
AS night came on the weather began to
look threatening and at daylight next
morning II began TO grow thick, with the
wind northeast. By calculation we were
about abreast Of the Capes of Delaware, and
not caring to battle with a gale 30 early in
the IN, 81 n. L
We made without difficulty, and anchored
under the lea of the breakwater.
The wind increased TO a gale, with rain.
and continued with great fury over three
days. During the storm many vessels
found shelter, such as the stone piles
afforded; but so severe was the gale that
number dragged their anchors and went
ashore. The Weehawken, after some little
delay, followed down the coast, but that
delay prevented her from making the har-
Dors and she continued on her passage
through the gale On the next day the tug
which had her in tow came into the Capes
and anchored under the bTeakwater, bay-
ing had very serious time, aud reported
that she was Obliged to abandon the tow
and make for a harbor for her own safety.
leaving the monitor TO her own devices, and
that there was no doubt that she had found
cred.
This news caused the greatest anxiety on
boad The Nahant
the gale finally died out, and the wind
shifting TO the westward We continued our
passage 10 Hampton Roads, which WAS to be
our destination for time, and after fair
passage arrived at the port, where to our sur
prise and delight, we found the Weehawken
at anchor. One of the IT, S. steamers (the
name have forgotten now had sighted the
monitor just after the tug left her. and had
assisted her into port. And not only had she
not foundered in the gale, but the Commander
IN his report 10 the Secretary Of the Navy
said that she behaved finely all through the
storm, and proved TO be a good sea boat.
As yet we of the Nabant had not had the
experience of our ship i'll gale, but we had
the opportunity shortly after, during our
passage from Hampton Roads TO Port Royal.
With our coal bunkers full, aud well
stocked with ammunition, bearing our ship
down to her loaded line (about four inches
free board amidships her bow and stern
according to sheers being a little more Quit,
with tug ahead to tow, and pilot we passed
the Capes, shaping our course for Hatteras.
Everything as to wind and weather was
favorable until we reached the Cape. When
abreast of the light, about five miles off
shore, and just before dark, / asked the
Sailing-Master how he was going to steer,