The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1906-12-27

was no ventilation, so that whenever they
fired at us the smoke from their own guns
nearly smothered them and when they got
out of the fight they were in bad condition
altogether. Had we fought her as we
should have done not one of them would
have escaped with their lives. Therefore
it was great disappointment to us to see
the flagship with her helm to port passing
around the ram, when common sense would
seem to dictate that the helm should have
been put to starboard, for in less than
twenty minutes time the Union fleet in
firing at the ram were at the same time
firing into each other. AS soon as the flag
ship had passed around on the port side Of
the ram, which still continued on her course
down the sound, she came directly opposite
the Seymour, which was the last ship in
the line and both firing at the ram were at
the same time pelting each other. No. 3 in
the line was the Wayalusing, which when
rounding the ram was directly opposite US
in the Commodore Hull, which was No. 8.
We were both intent on fighting the ram,
but we soon learned that we were fighting
each other. Up went 1888, which was our
ships number, on board the Wayaluslng
with the signal to us to cease firing as we
had already hit them three times. 10
which we replied by signal that the Waya-
lusing had put four shots through our
smokestack. At this time all the ships were
compelled to cease firing, as the ram was in
the center of the circle of the Union ships
that surrounded her and not one OF our
ships could fire at her without hitting one
of our own ships; and for ten or fifteen
minutes there was simply nothing done.
The ram continued on her course down the
Sound and there appeared to be nothing
that one could do, for we We're SO mixed
that we had no line and the flag officer IN
trying to get us into line only made the
matter worse. The BOmbsheil had Surren-
dered at the beginning of the engagement
and the Cotton Planter had turned to run
for the Chowan river. Seeing this, ana
there being nothing that we could do to-
ward the capture of the ram under existing
conditions, we started in pursuit OF the Cot
ton Planter, which we could haze over
hauled and captured in half hours time
for we could 90 two rods to her one But
as soon as we had got well underway IL
the chase up went our number, $50, iron
the flagship which Signalled us to take
our place in the line. At this time there
| was no line, but we returned to our place
| at the rear of the Miami and We all APP
| peared to be sucking our thumbs anC
| awaiting orders, but none came. At thi;
time Captain Roe, being tired Of the mac
| tiyty and well knowing that something
| should be done, ran on to the ram and made
gallant attempt to sink her; and perhap!
| he would have succeeded had his ship been
going at full speed, but starting from d
| Standstill, and having but about 400 yard,
| TO 90 before striking the ram, She had but hit
| tie more than Steerage way when she strucE
the ram. She was not going over fOul
| knots, but slow as she was going she strucE
| the ram powerful blow which caused he
| to careen so that she took water into one o
| her ports and the Sassacus pressing aheat
! caused the ram to swing around alongside
| the SaSSacus and as she did SO she righted
and as she righted the ram put a shot into
| the Sassacus which penetrated one of he
| boilers and the escaping steam scalded sew
| ersl of her men and demoraized the rest o.
| the officers and crew, She then backed of
| from the ram and signaled that she wa
sinking. When the Sassacus ran on to .tht