The Calumet news., 1912-07-25
rHs MONITORS GRAVE.
She Lies on the Ocean Bottom South
east Of Hatteras.

She Lies on the Ocean Bottom South
east OF Hatteras.
Tho last moments oi the Monitor aye
described by Rear Admiral p. w. Wat
son, u. s. n, VINO was an eye witness
of her end, ia a chapter Of "The don-
tor and the Merrimac, recently pub
!ished by Harper & Brothers. He SAYS.
"On December 20. 1862. nine months
after her memorable combat with the
Merrimac. the Monitor Commando
John T.. Rankhead. LETT Hampton
toads in tow OF the Rhode Island.
commanded by cant stephen Decatur
Trenchard for Beaufort u c. The
weather AT ire time of starting looked
favorable for the, trip buy on the FOL
lowing day when nearins cape Hat
teras the wind came ont from the
southeast ana gradually freshened until
by evening il was blowing a moderate
gale. with 2 toleraply heavy sea run
ming. II was soon seen that the Mon
itor was MAKING heavy weather OF il
and the engines were slowed down,
hut the course was still kept head t--
he wind and sea.
This was "A mistake, for experience
ater on la towing other vessels o. ne
class proved that the safest way u
handle them in heavy weather Is 20 lc,
Them lie la the trough of the sea- when
| he waves would wash over their decks
lnd the roll would not bee excessive
| rhc Monitor was closely watched, 3iI
IN board the RHODE leland feeling AN
Nious for her safety. Toward the end
If the FIRST watch-hetween j.. IN.
and midnight the signal Of distress, q
red lantern, was hoisted on the Mon
itor and, unknown 20 these on III
Rhode Island the hawser was cut ana
anchor Of the Monitor let go.
THE Rhode Island lmmediateN
istopped her engines and three boat
were called away, with an officer ia
haree Of each. and were sent to take
off the Monitors people. With the
heavy set running i, was a difficult
matter Ia go alongside of her and
the first boat to reach her vas thlovn
by wave upon the deck ana hJl"
stove in her The next wave washed
the boat OFF, and with considerable
ditHculty she took on as many men As
could make the return trip safely.
When the boats came alongside OF
The Monitor her captain ana executive
officer went upon the deck. ami. Gins
ng to the life lines with the waves
washing over them, called to the crew
10 come down from the urret and get
into the boats which they We're reluo-
| tant To do at first. Some were able e.
Jump into the boats and some landed
n the water and were hauled n. Se b.
ng an oil duartcrmastcr with a large
bundle under his arm. the executive
Ulcer. thinking that II was his clothes
lhae. told him thai thar was no Tins
to be trying 20 save his effects. he
said nothing. Jui threw it into the boat
When the bundle was passed up owe.
the side of the Rhode Island i: proved
20 be a little messenger boy-probdbh
The smallest and Youngest one in the
service. The three boats were finally
loaded and made their way back tJ TIA,
ship '"
In the meanwhile the Rhode island
n backing her cngineS, had fouled thC
hawscr. with her port paddlewheel and
being directly TO windward of the Mons
tor, with her engines helpless driited
down upon her IL looked at one tim
as il sne would strike the bow Of tn,
Monitor but fortunately she just
missed it and scraping along her siGr
drifted off To- lceWard,-s
Another boat was sent to hring on
the remainder Of the Monitors crew
but beinE To leeWard now she could
make only slow headway against Tic
-eas, and before she got to her the men
saw the Monitors light disappear and
knew that she had gone down. Tie