Year: 1875

AN ACT PROPOSED GRANTING AN AWARD FOR THE


DESTRUCTION OF THE MERRIMAC-GREATNEss OF


THE SERVICE PERFORMED BY THE VESSEL


70 the Edtfor OF The Tribune.


SIR: In common with every lover of justice,
i much gratled to hear that bill Will shortly be
Introduced in Congress which should receive the cordial
unanimous approval of both Houses. allude to
the proposed for granting award TO RearAdmral
John l. Worden and the officers and of the famous
and historic Monitor, for their heroic achievements in
Hampton Roads in March, 1862 by which the Rebel ram
Merrimac deemed almost impregnable. efectually
checked In their Of destruction and practically
disabled for all offensive operations as vessel of war
This bill will afford opportunity too long deferred,
OF substantially rewardng the gallant Admiral and the
brave officers and men who served under his command
In that memorable conflict, ana will prove that our
people fully appreciate devotion to duty dlunfater
ing heroism In danger


The Admiral bases his petition very justly, upon the
precedent established by the allowance of przemoney
officers and Of the Kearsarge for destroying
the Alabama, aiming that the two cases are almost
paraeI-tbe only difference being that in tho former.
the enemys vessel sunk while in his own his iron
clad antagonist completely icrippled IN their
fierce encounter Of five hours that she rendered
entirely useless and shortly aferward blown up TO
avoid capture by forces The simple facts coD
peced with this great in the history of civil
stand forth irresistible arguments in favor Of
prompt passage ofths act Even casual reflection upon



plead "trumpettongued," for just and sui able
reward the fearless actors engaged in It, Indeed
everything associated with from it's inception to Its
close enhances the vaue OF this claim upon the Amer
people, and nensies Its Of Justice II should
borne in mind that when Admiral WOrden took COM
mand Of the Monitor, she was regarded simply as
experiment Her sea-goiDg qualities were unknown
aud had not been tested, and her capabilities for oen-
warfare were matters OF conjecture which the
future alone could decide. Her trip to the Capes OF
Virginia of constant accidents and dangers,
and at times 1t was doubted whether she could
be kept ahoat even in an ordinary sea.


None but the sLoutest hearts would have yentured in
such uurled vessel at such stormy season OF the
year, and her oppOrtune arrival In Hampton Roads
the afternoon OF the day when two OF our hnes gate
the Cumberland and Congress- had been easily de-
stoved 10y the Merrimac seems TO have been directed
by Providence TO arrest tue destruction awaiting
the other vessels OF unable TO contend against
this mailclad monster. Had not the MOUitOr reached
her destination at that ca period the consequences
30 country at large would have been disastrous In
the extreme. Nineteen vessels OF would have been
captured destroyed and uHnaYal supremacy lost
defeDses would have been at the mercy of
almost Invunerabe ship, and our Northern cities
posed TO mercess bombardmeUt and destruction. Tue
officers OF the Inflated Cumberland and Congress had
done all that bravery conld accomplish, but their
wooden bulwaTks were uuayaling against the hull Of
disaster and humiliation, ana Admiral Worden aud his
devoted command, who fought tue great monster for
nearly five hours and then forced her crippled
dOn To abandon the contest and retreat TO her anchor
age deserve not only the lasting gratitude OF the Amer
lean people, but every substantial recognition re-
repeat that every lover OF justice and herOsm will
1oiee IN the passage OF tbis truly wel-merted act for
the benefit OF The heroes OF the historic little Monitor


hev York, Jan. 3, 1875. ny.