The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-11-07
ON THE MONITOR WITH WoRDEN.
A Veterans "Reminiscences OF tho Monitor
Merrimao Battle in Hampton Roads.
FSom the Trou Daily Times,

A Veterans "Reminiscences or the Monitor
A1errimao Battle In hampton Roads.
From tho Troy Daily Times.
1.-THE important part which opportunity plays
in the lives of men ia we'll illustrated by the
career of the late Admiral Worden." remarked
Capt. Louis N. Stodder of the United States rev.
enue cutter service and United States Super
visor of Anchorages, port of NewlYork, as he sat
ono day last week In his room in the Barge Of
fice. Capt. Stodder has the distinction Of being
the last survivor OF the officers who werc as
signed to duty on the Monitor when 1t began its
career. and who remained in constant service
on tho vessel until the end off Cape Hatteras.
BY q singular coincidence Capt. Stodder's
room almost overlooks the statue erected In
Battery Park to the memory of Ericsson. once
his intimate friend.
"You see," continued the Captain, naval Of
fcers were not over plentiful at the beginning
of tho war, and the officials at Washington had
to make the bost use of the material thew had in
hand. In fact a lreat many officers were en-
rolled from tho merchant marine service. l
went into the service from the merchant marine
myself. I think tho fact that Worden. then
ranking only as Lieutenant, was placed in COM
sci was looked upon as rather a doubtful expert
ment by the Goyernment.a and that the selection
OF a man to take m was not made by
lit was Worden's good luck that he was as
signed to the Monitor, for the result OF the light
ulAU0I De NtsStl hIlu ulA va oOhih ilio
"The brave part that no played in the fight
| was recognized by Congress. and he was rapidly
promoted to high rank, which other officers oh
tanned only after twenty years OF service.
al remember him well when he first came on
| board the Monitor about a month before the
fight. He had just been released from prison,
| ard looked thin and sallow. He had the appear
ance OF one dying from fever complaint. Inever
thought IL possible for him to live long.
During the fight he. was cool ana collected.
] recall an Incident which / do not remember
| ever seeing publishe 1. Tho pilot house was sit
uRted In the bow of the Monitor. quite away
from the turret. During the fight l was in tho
turret with other officers. when suddenly we
saw Lieut.. Worden climbing up where we were.
Without saying anything he opened one OF tho
turret doors and stepped out on tho deck In full
"'Why, Captain. what's tho trouble = ex-
claimed several OF the officers in establishment
~ can't SEQ well enough from the pilot
house, came the quiet reply. i wanted to get
out here for a moment to take in the whole stu
alton Then, looking around for u few mo-
ments. he came inside.
"Lient. Worden was very popular with OFF,
Gers and men alike. They all worshlpped him.
Although only AS years old at the time of the
Monitor.M errimRc fight. he looked almost go.
He wore a long beard at the time, and looked
Just AS the recent pictures made him appear.
last saw Admiral Worden at the ceremonies
attending tho removal OF Erlcsson's body 10 its
final resting place. Only II handful Of persona
were admitted to the ceremony. They were
those who survived from the officers and mon
OF the Monitor. Admiral WOrdcp was in n car
rlago with Secretary Tracy. lie was very feeble.
and his end even then seemed but a short way
on, and yet that was several years ago."