Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-06-18

lyn halted and began backing and sig
mailing. The Hartford was Immediately
behind and the following vessels, the
Richmond, the Itasca, ana the Others,
were in close proximity, and the sud
den stopping of the Brooklyn threatened
to bring the whole feet into collision,
while the strong infiowing tide was like
" to carry some of the vessels to the
shore under the guns Of the fort.
1.-THE Brooklyns message, The mont
tors are right ahead; we cannot go on
without passing them,' was answered by
Farragut, Order the monitors ahead and
go on but still the Brooklyn halted,
and, TO add to the horror of the situa-
ton, the Union monitor Tecumseh, few
hundred yards in the advance. sudden
" careened to one side and almost In
stantly sank to the bottom, carrying
with her Capt. Craven and the greater
part of his crew.
Finding that the Brooklyn failed to
obey his orders, the admiral hurriedly
inquired of the pilot If there was suf-
fcient depth Of water for the Hartford
to pass to the left of the Brooklyn.
Receiving an affirmative reply, he
said, L will take the Lead and imme
diately ordered the Hartford ahead at
full speed.
"As he passed the Brooklyn a voice
warned him of the torpedoes, to which
he returned the contemptuous answer.
Damn the torpedoesr'
1.-THE Hartford reached the deep water
of the bay and came to anchor, the
other vessels Of the feet meanwhile
having Strengthened their line and
passed the fort.
The thunder of the heavy guns now
ceased. The crews of the various yes
sells had begun to efface the marks of
the terrible contest by washing the
decks and clearing up the splinters.
HURRIED CALL
RAM is COMING"
There came hurried call to quar-
tiers and word was passed, The ram
Is coming
The ram Tennessee after remaining
near Fort Morgan. while the fleet had
made its way four miles above to its
anchorage. had suddenly decided to set
tie at once the question Of the control
Of the bay. Single handed she came on
to meet the whole feet. consisting Of
ten wooden vessels and the three mon
itors.
The Monong hela, ordered to run
down the ram, at once took the lead Of
the union attack. but the Tennessee from
the first headed for the Hartford, and
paid no attention TO her assailants ex-
cept with her guns.
The MonongsheIn going at full speed.
struck the ram amidships-a blow that
would have sunk any vessel Of the union
navy. but which inflicted not the slight
est damage on the solid iron hull of the
ram.
THE Laekawanna was close behiui
and delivered similar blow with her
wooden bow simply causing the ram to
lurch slightly to one side.
The two hagships approached each
other. bow TO bow. iron to oak.
at was impossible for the Hartford
with her lack Of speed to circle around
and strike the ram on her side: her
only safety was In keeping pointed di
rectly for the bow Of her assailant.
ADMIRAL STOOD
ON QUARTERBACK.
THE admiral stood on the quarter
deck when the vessels came together.
and as be saw the result he Jumped on
the port quarter rail. holding to the
mizzen rigging, a position from which
he might have jumped 10 the deck 81
the ram as she passed.
Seeing him N this position and fear
ing for his safety a lieutenant slipped
4 rope around him and secured II TO .he
rigging.
The remainder OF the story IS sooa
told At last the solid shot from so
many guns began to tell: the Tennessee
nagstar was shot away: her smokestack
was rddled with holes and finally dis
appeared. One OF the monitor Chicka