Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-11-07

ION cuunecilCn Win lie 'OHitutldAS
navy I'm the capacity OF mldshlpman. Mr..
Newton. after briefly acknowledging
the Introduction. gave a most interest
ing ana valuable history of naval war
fare. COMPARING the naval architecture OF
forty years ago with that OF to-day lie
paid a gloriOus ,r.Dute 10 the achieve
ments OF the Confederate navy, and eulO-
pdzed Admiral buchanan In eloquent
terms.
Mr. Newton referred ia terms of the
highest praise To the achievements Of ting
Virginia. and laid especial stress upon the
victory she won IN Hampton Roads, IN
March, ls52. The speaker was frequently
interrupted by the Outbursts OF applause
ess OF the Confederate navy.
ADDRESS OF COLONEL RAMSEY.
When Mr.. Newton concluded, Colonel
Maury presented Colonel Ramsey. In his
Introductory remarks Colonel Maurt re-
ferred 10 the unreliability OK the engines
Of the Virginia. and spoke OF the herosm
of Acting chief Engineer Ramsey VINO
stuck to his post beside the machinery,
and by his vai0rOus service carried the
boat through her memorable battle IN
Hampton Roads, receiving therefor pro-
motion 10 the office OF chief engineer.
Colonel Ramsey, who was very cor
daily greeted. told In the outset OF the
important part played by the shaft, which
had Just been presented az a relic TO the
Museum After tracing the early history
Of the Virginia when. as the Merrimac
she was in the United States service, the
speaker told Of her being commissioned in
the Confederate navy, and then gave a
graphic recital Of Of the great battle IN
Hampton Roads. lie detailed the various
t.F .l.a
sized the victory she won. calling atten-
ton 70 the fact that the guns ON board
the opposing fleet We're of superior cali
bre 10 those i'm the Confederate navy.
Like ms predecessor. Colonel Ramsey
paid a high tribute to Admiral Buchanan,
whom he characterized as The "St0neWalI
Jackson OF the navy" The speaker ex-
pressed the hope thar at no distant dat
q monument would be erected on the
fats of Hampton Roads 10 commemorate
the great naval night in which the Viz
ginia played 50 conspicuous q part. and
IN conclusion, gave "A most interesting
and thrilling account Of the destruction
or the Virginia, explaining that she was
blown up by her own crew TO keep her
from falling into the hands of the enemy.
RECEIVED BY MRS. ANDERSON.
At the conclusion OF Colonel Ramsey's
aAA'Fh AtAfrAlIs oAAAf1Hf AlAa. AAtAtI
Anderson arose, and, In a word, accepted
the shay on behalf Of the Museum.
THE INSCRIPTION.
The shaft now occupies a position on
the plat Of grass Immediately in rear OF
the Museum and rests on two granite
bases, each of which supports a da4s.
The shaft is TO be marked with a brass
plate. the gift Of Franklin-Buchanan
Camp, United Confederate Veterans. OF
Baltimore, but a HaW being found in the
one originally made. another is being pre-
pared. The plate will bear the following
inscription.
Section of the propeller shaft Of the
famous iron-clad Virginia CIerrimac).
'an essential portion of the machinery fur
nishing motive power for the ship in her
engagement in Hampton Roads, when
she, under command of Admiral Frank
I'm Buchanan, in company with her
tenders, the Beaufort Raleigh. Patrick
Henry, jamestown, and Caesar. DESTROYER
the United states frigatcs Congress and
Cumberland, and crippled and scattered
the remainder Of the fleet. March Sth.
A. D., 1862. and the next day, under the
command Of Lieutenant Catesbv an
K. Jones buchanan having been wound
ed) she engaged the United States IRON
clad Monitor IN close contest about four
Aours. during TINS engagement the Moui-
tor twice withdrew from the action. the
last withdrawal being 20 shoal water.
where the Virginia could not follow. and
the virginia, after waiting due time for
renewal Of the action. returned TO Nor
tolk, and again, April llth and Nav sth
A. D., 1867 under command OF Command
er Josiah Tatt1ul offered basic 10 tha
United states fleet, including the Monitor
Two other iron-cads, and several rams
which was declined.
Tablet contributed by the Franklin
buchanan Camp, L. c. v, NO 7l7. Balti-
more. Nd"
Among those present during the pro-
sentati0n were Governor and Mrs. TYLER
General Page OF Norfolk. Rev. ! p
smith, d. d., Hon. j. Taylor Ellvson
Judge George l.. Christian. Mr.. Charles
=. Boiling, Hon. D. c.. Richardson. AIaior
r. 1. u. Myers, and Mrs. Robert Minor
inc only surviving widow Of ap officer
or the Virginia. Her husband was rho
executive officer on board the boat ,vhen
she had the engagement with the NToni-
TOR ana Mrs. Minor sat yesterday IN the
chalr which had been occupied by Admi-
raj Buchanan