New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-16
Washington. p. G.. June II, 1898.
AMERICAN DEEDS OF DARING.
THE CONFEDERATEs GLAssE.L AND DIXON
COMPARED WITH CUSHING AND IIOBsoN.

THE CONFFDERATEs GLASSE.L AND DIXON
COMPARED WITH CUSHING AND HOBsON.
To The Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir II is n mistake to suppose that Lieutenant
Cushing's attack on the Abemarle is tho only deed
in American naval annals worthy OF comparison
with Lieutenant Hobson's daring action a, San
tlago.
The wear before Cushinrs attack the Abe
marie Commander W Z. Gasaell Of the confed-
crate States Navy. made similar attack on th"
New Ironsldcs Of the blockadiag feet. or Charles
ton Harhor Cushings attack was made In
steam launch equipped with a torpedo and brass
howitzer His crew consisted OF thirteen officers
and men, most OF whom were 'dp'ufcn' pu' ne
escaped.
GasselTs attack was made n steam launch.
eouipped with a torpedo and manned by himself. an
engineer. pilot and fireman. No as fortunate
as Cushing. his approach was discovered, and ne
was hailed By the lookout. but he steered straight
on for the Ironsidcs TIL he struck her y terrific
FIRE WAS at once opened on him. his little boat was
covered with the immense volume Of water thrown
up by tho explosion. and It's engine was MADE I'M
manageable by falling timber. and there was noth-
ing left for him but to swim for life and liberty. lie
did not escape and his daring act was not as com
petely successful as il might have been had his
snproach not been discovered soon az IL was.
The Ironsides escaped destruction 10y the narrow
est margin, being made useless for long time by
the terrible and well-ngh fatal blow she had re-
ceivod She was doubtless a stronger, moro power
full ship than the Confederacy. with it, limited re-
sources had been able TO make Of the Albcmafle.
and was the pride Of the blOckading Meet, which.
nj the time Of Glassells attack numbered thirteen
large ships ana ironcads, with more than score
Of other vessels
II was against the monarch Of that powerful
feet that G.assell and his three comrades drove
tLer lille boat on tho night Of October D. 1863.
shall not their names 20 on tho scroll Of fame
along with Hobson's and Cushngs?
And fhen let those who rccOunting patti
o,ic deeds OF devoted daring forget the story Of
the submarine bOat-the only one or rs character
that won n record during the war between the
statee-constructed by the Confederatcs for the
ourpose OF attacking and destroying the ships Of
;ho Federal fleet then blOckading the Southern
hnrbor Her crew consisted Of nine men. Three
trials made with her resulted In the death OF
wentv-thrce men VINO had undertaken the desper-
ste work for which she was designed Then Lieu
tenant Dixon. OF the Confederate States Navy,
Win a fourth crew. stepped into The places made
~acanf hy the death Of those who had preceded
,hen and the boat sailed out Of the harbor at
,ncEed and sunk the IIOusatOnic. and disappeared
forpver with her crew. every man Of which was 4
ynIunteer as was every of those who had
ro,,c 10 death before them In that little boat.
Now while the world IS ringing with praise Of the
Gallant Young Albanian and the comrades he led
IN his glorious exploit under the Stars and Stripes.
Vii THE New York Tribune admit TO its columns
MS brief recital OF heroism under the stars and
Bars? ,eoo a. ~ O'i''Shi'