The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-06-05

craft. manned by himself and three others.
and propelled just above the water. The
torpedo was detached from q spar on the
bow OF the little boa, when close under
our vessels stern. the mine being explod-
ed by battery which had wires leading
to X. After the explosion, the boat be-
coming disabled and unmanageable, he
had put on life preserver and jumped
overheard. endeavoriug TO swim to the
shore. but becoming exhausted. he had
swum alongside the schooner and been
picked up.
Following il an account of the venture
some undertaking published in
Charleston newspaper some time after
ward.
Charleston. 5. g., Oct. 10. 1868.
1.-The torpedo steamer David. with a
crew OF four volunteers. consisting of
Lieut.. William T. Glassell. J. III. Toomhs,
chief engineer. and James Sullivan. fire
man OF the gunboat Chicora. with ]. w.
Cannon. assistant pilot OF the gunhoat
Palmetto State, left South Atlantic
wharf Monday evening. October the 9th.
instant. for the purpose or running out 10
the Ironsides exploding a torpedo under
that vessel near amidships. and II possible,
blowing her up. The weather being dark
and haZy. favored the enterprise. The
boat. with IT'S gallant little crew. proceed
ed down the harbor. skirting along the
shoals on the inside of the channel until
nearly abreast OF their formidable antag-
onist, the New Ironsides.
They remained in this position for a
short time. circling around on the large
shoal near the anchorage Of the object of
their visit. Lieut.. Glassell. with double
barreled gun. sat IN front OF Pilot Can
non. who had charge of the helm. Toombs
was at the engine with Sullivan, when
something like the following conversation
ensued.
Lieut.. Glassesl-It is now nine o'clock.
Shall we strike her?
Pilot Cannon-That is what we came
for am ready.
Engineer Toombs-Let US so at her
then and do our best.
Sullivan am with you all. and wait
ing. Go ahead.
1.-The boat was now put bow on and
aimed directly for the Irons.des. The next
moment they had struck her and explod-
ed the torpedo about fifteen feet from the
keel. on the starboard side. An immense
volume OF water was thrown up. covering
the little boat. and going through the
smokestack. entered the furnace, CON-
pletely extinguishing the fires.
I'm addition TO this, pieces OF the bal
last had fallen into the works OF the en-
CINE. rendering 1t unmanageable at this
time. Volley after volley of musketry
from the sentries on the lronsides began
to pour in upon Them Lieut.. Giassell
gave the order TO back. but II was found
impossible. In this condition, with no
shelter. and hope of escape, they
thought 1t best to surrender. and hailed
the Ironsides TO that effect. but no at
tention was paid to the call. 1t was then
proposed to put on life-preservers. jump
overheard. and endeavor 10 swim ashore.
All but Pilot Cannon consented. The
latter. being unable To swim. said no
would stay and take his chances In the
boat Lieut. Glassell, Engineer Toombs
and Sullivan left the boat. the first two
supporting himself on one of the matches
thrown to him by the pilot. Toombs, be-
coming embarrassed with his clothing In
the water, got back TO the boat and was
assisted in by Cannon. The boat was then
rapidly drifting from the Ironsides. He
now fortunately found match and light
ing a torch. erept back to the engine.
discovered and removed the cause of its
not working and soon got il in order.
Toombs and Cannon reached their wharf
in the city about midnight. fatigued and
presenting WORKOUT appearance. but re-
Joicing at their fortunate and narrow es-
cape. The fate OF Lieut.. Glasseli and
Sullivan is unknown; In all probability
they were drowned
An official report was sent by Comma
iore Rowan TO the navy department, and
divers were sent from Washington TO re-
pair the damage to our vessels bottom,
which fortunately was but slight.
As for poor Mr.. Howard, he died from