The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1898-05-02

SouHN'
go. i. g." in New York Evening Post.)
The seizure of Roanoke Island by the
Federals was serious blow to the
Confederates, that island being the key
to all the rear defences of Norfolk.
envy, General Huger's command was
cut off from the most efficient means of
transportation, and the Gosport navy
yard and Confederates forces at that
point were also endangered. Besides
all this, ten rivers flowed into Pamlico
and Albermarle sounds, affording the
Federals access far inland, and placing
two railroads and several canals large
ly in their power. Several attempts
were made from time to time by the
Confederates to regain possession of
the sounds, and one of these sallies, a
guarding the river side of the town, re-
suited in victory for the Confederates
the UNDERWATER one of the Federal
boats, being overpowered and losing
many of her crew.
1t was at this juncture Of affairs that
word reached the Union lines of the
building by the enemy of huge iron
clad of the Merrimac type, fighter
whose construction was undertaken
and effected under great difficulties,
but which was to prove troublesome
comoatant when once put in service.
This vessel was the ram Ablemarle,
destined to become forceful figure in
naval annals and to give the wise
heads of the navy department at
Washington much concern and much
planning for her capture. Never did
the building of a battleship go forward
under such odds as did this one. The
country was ransacked high and low
for iron with which to armor her, bolts,
bars, and bits of metal in every form
being eagerly taken for the purpose.
The building went on up the Roanoke
river, out of reach of the Federal guns.
Several contracts We're made and brok-
en- off, owing to the vigilance of the
Nationalist, their influence being all
powerful with capable engineers and
shipbuilders. The keel Of the ram was
laid in an open cornfield, and Captain
Cooke, the offer who was to command
the ironclad, gained the sobriquet of
ironrnonger Captain, because of his
vigilance in hunting up iron for cast
ings. An ordinary blacksmith outfit
constituted the building plant. Even
the most enthusiastic supporters hop
ed little from vessel built under such
conditions.
On April II and IS, 1853, the Confed-
crate troops attacked Plymouth. The
Federal gunboats Miami and Southfield
We're in the river, and under the COM
mand of Lieut.. Commander Flusser
did much to check the Confederate on
set. Lieut.. Commander Flusser was
aware that the .Albemarle was nearly
completed, and distractions had been
put across the river a little above the
town to prevent her coming down and
taking part in the attack. On the night
of the 18th, however, the newly com
pleted ship appeared on the scene, the
tide having risen sufficiently to float
her over the Instructions in the river.
1t may be imagined that the wooden
gunboats felt no little apprehension at
llCI dpPlOdSll. puI tllCy lCoOI lOd "
stratagem as the first step for the en-
counter.
Up to the moment of going into ac-
ton the men on the Albemarle were at
work completing their ship and the
ram in this initial voyage down the
river resembled a floating workshop.
Ten portable FORCES with numerous
sledge-h hammers were placed on board
A.. H.. 49,,
On the big casemate that resembled a
turtle back numerous stages were sus-
pended, standing upon which sailors
welded their sledge- hammers, and on
the pilot-house stood the redoubtable
captain giving orders thick and fast
for the finishing off of his craft. AS the
iron-ribbed ship f1oated down the river
there arose from her a perfect babel of
sounds, the shouts of the builder cap
tain being heard above the din of the
hammering. Nor was the completion
of the practical work ali that was be-
ing done at this last minute. At one
of the big guns some of the newly TAX
en-on crew were being exercised ir
loading and unloading. Truly it was g
strange situation for ship just going
into action, and one not calculated tc
Inspire confidence or nope as to the
outcome, but Captain Cooke knew
what he was about, as the seque
proved.
When the companion gun-boats
Miami and Southfield discovered thai
the ram had got past the distractions
and was heading for them, Lieut.. Flus.
ser had the two boats connected by
log spars and chains, with view tt
entangle and hold the ironclad between
them, an artifice which, if 1t had sue
ceeded, would perhaps have counter
balanced the Superior armor- plating
of the enemy. The resourceful Captain
Cooke was too alert, however, to b.
caught in any such trap as that, ant
hugging the southern shore, so as tt
avoid running between the gun-boats
when nearly abreast of them, put on {
full head of steam, and dashing dag.
onally across the river, passed the Mi
ami's bow and rammed the Southfield
The rams iron beak struck the star
board bow of the gun-boat and entered
the fireroom. The chain plates on tn
forward deck of the assailant becam
entangled with the Southfield's hull. Al
the ill-starred Southfield settled ant
gradually sank, she carried down will
her the bow of her attacker, so tina