Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1912-03-06

p. :. p
sells, as we have shown already, were
heavily armed. The Merrimac had
on each side two 7112-inch rifles and
four 9-inch Dahlgrens. The Monitor
had in her turret two 11-inch guns,
each capable Of flinging a shot of
1913 pounds. The turret kept revolv-
ing; but the ponderous shot Of the
Monitor ratified in vain against the
mail-clad sides Of the Merrimac.
Broadside followed broadside in rap
id succession; but the. heavy metal
discharged by the guns Of the Merri-
mac made no impression on the
wrought-iron citadel Of the Monitor
Unlike as were the two ships, it was
really battle of giants. "Gun af-
ter gum" says Captain Van Brunt
of the Minnesota, twas fred by the
Monitor, which was returned with
whole broadsides from the rebels,
with no more effect apparently than
so many pebble-stones thrown by a
child, establishing the fact that wood
en- vessels cannot contend with iron
clad Ones" After the first vigorous
onset there was some maneuvering
for positions, the Monitor seeking
the port holes Of the Merrimac, the
latter all the while pouring her heavy
shot on the invulnerable turret of he1
plucky little antagonist. One bolt
from a rife-gun struck the turret
squarely, and penetrated the iron. I'll
then broke short off and left it's head
sticking in" Five times the Merri-
mac attempted to run the Monitor
down; but, on each occasion, she re-
ceived, at the distance of few feet
the heavy shot Of the 11-inch guns
In one Of these encounters, the Mer-
rimac got aground, and the Monitor
being light of draught, steamed east
ly around, moving and hitting like g
skilled pugilist, her lightning-like fire
striking her antagonist at every vul-
nerable point. The Merrimac began
to show signs Of punishment. He1
armor plate was bending and starting
under the heavy blows.
Again Attacks Minnesota.
As if despairing Of accomplishing
anything definite or satisfactory will
the Monitor, the Merrimac turned
away from her agile and rather dan
gerous antagonist and renewed he1
attack on the Minnesota. Van Brunt
as he himself tells US, was on hi!
guard, and gave the monster warn
reception. He opened upon her al
his broadside guns, with a ten-incl
pivot gun besides. So terrific wa:
the broadside that. ut was enough,
to quote Van Brunt's language, IT.
blow out Of the water any timber shi]
in the world" It produced, however
but very little effect. The Merrima'
gave a hearty response. From he
riaed bow gun she flung one Of he
terrible shells, which went crashin.
thru the side Of the Minnesota, ex
ploding on it's way two charges O
powder, and finally bursting in tn
boatswain's apartments, tearing fou
rooms into one and setting the shi1
on fire. Another shell burst the boil
er Of the tugboat Dragon, which la.
alongside the Minnesota. During tn
encounter, which was brief, the gun
Of the Minnesota had hit the Merri
mac at least fifty times, producin
little or no impression.
Merrimac In Desperate Struggle.
A second time the Monitor come
to the aid Of the Minnesota. TIL
Merrimac finds it necessary to chang
her position, and in doing so, agai
gets grounded. The Minnesota agai
finds her opportunity; and her heav
guns are opened on her stranded fo<
The broadsides are now telling o
the thick armor-plates Of the Merri
mac. Catesby Jones, who was
command, Buchanan having bee
wounded the previous day, evidentl
regarded his situation as critical
and, accordingly, as soon as he e
the Merrimac afoat, he turned he
PROV toward Norfolk. The Monte
gave chase. Irritated by the perth
acity of the little ship, the Merrims
turned round on her pursuer an
rushed upon her at full speed, as
resolved to run her down. The hus
beak Of the Merrimac grated on Il
deck Of the Monitor and was wrencl
, ed. Such blow had sent the Gun
berland down on the Saturday. Su,