Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1912-03-06
a blow, had it been possible to deal

a blow, had it been possible to deal
it, would doubtless have proved
equally fatal to the Minnesota, or in
deed to any wooden ship afoat. It
left the Monitor uninjured. The lit
tie vessel glded nimbly out from un-
der her antagonist; and in doing so,
the two ships being almost in actual
contact, she opened upon her with
one Of her heavy turret guns, strik-
ing her with force which seemed to
crush in her armor. Quick as light
ming the concentrated shot of the
Merrimac ratified against the turret
and pilot-house of the Monitor. The
encounter was terrific; but the armor
OF both vessels was shot-proof, and
for the first time in naval warfare,
heavy and we'll directed cannon were
found to be comparatively worthless
At this stage the Monitor hauled off
for the purpose Of hosting more shot
into her turret. Catesby Jones, i'm
agining that he had slenced his small
but formidable antagonist, made an
other move toward the Minnesota.
Before he had time to open fire, the
Monitor was steaming up towards
him. He changed his course at once;
and it was now noticeable that the
Merrimac was sagging ather stern. A
we'll directed shot from the Monitor
had hit the Merrimac at the junction
of the casemate with the ships side,
and caused a leak. Another shot
about the same moment had penetrat-
ed the boiler Of one of the Merrimac's
tenders, enveloping her in steam, and
scalding large number of her crew.
Latterly the Monitor had been firing
low, and every shot told with great
er or less effect. The Monitor, how
ever, was not to be allowed to escape
uninjured. The last shot fired by the
Merrimac was the most effective. It
struck the pilot-house of the Monitor
opposite the peep-hole through which
! Worden at that moment was look
ing. 1t cut the iron plank in two, in
flcted a. severe wound on Worden,
and knocked him senseless to the
floor, Lieutenant Green who COM
manded the guns, and Chief Engineer
| Steiners, who worked the turret, be-
ing at the same moment stunned and
stupefed, but not severely injured.
Green and Steiners recovered quick
ly enough to keep thegunners atwork ;
but Worden did not for some time re-
cover consciousness. When he did
so, his first question was, "Did we
save the Minnesota9"
The Battle Was Ended.
The battle was now ended. The
Merrimac steered at once for Norfolk.
The Monitor soon afterward steered
for Fortress Monroe, the severe mis-
hap which had befallen her comman-
der preventing her from following up
her victory. Worden was really bad
ly injured. His face was much dis
figured, and he was completely blind.
AS soon as the Merrimac retired, the
Minnesota was got afoat by throwing
some Of her heavy guns overheard.
She was saved. The battle which be-
gan as early as eight o'clock in the
morning was waged with great fer
ocity until after midday. The little
Monitor did the noble work and won
a most decided victory.
During the two days the Minnesota
had fred 247 solid shot, 282 shells,
and more than ten tons Of powder.
; While struggling with the Merrimac,
the Monitor fred Al shots, and was
struck % times. The only serious in
, jury done to the Monitor was the
! SCATTERING Of her pilot-house. The
Y Merrimac suffered considerably. On
board two men were killed and some
n nineteen wounded. She had lost he1
iron prov, her starboard anchor and
n all her boats. Her armor was badly
n damaged; her steampipe and smoke
y stack were riddled; the muzzle of two
of her guns were shot away; thu
+ wood work at one Of her ports was 81
r exposed that it took fire at every
r discharge; and the water was rush
ing in upon her through one ofthe 90
G enings made by the shot of the Mon
4 itor. ~ .-... IT,
f III The Joy of Victory.
,e No battle by land or sea, durinI
le the whole war, created more excite
+ ment or evoked more enthusiasm thai
i the battle at Hampton Roads. At til
IL close Of the first day, victory va
.r q . 81 s. /. X. y 3