IRON-CLADS AGAINST WOODEN VESSELS.
Hampton Roads,
March 8, 1862.
On the morning of March 8th the Confederate ram Merrimac entered Hampton Roads, where were lying at anchor the
| STEAM FRIGATES. | |
| Guns. | |
| Minnesota | 50 |
| Roanoke | 50 |
| SAILING FRIGATES. | |
| Congress | 50 |
| Cumberland | 24 |
| St. Lawrence | 12 |
Running directly at the Cumberland, the ram struck her under the counter, sinking her in fifteen minutes. Turning to the Congress, which had slipped her cable and run ashore, the ram took a position under her stern at 50 yards distance, and forced her to surrender after a fight of an hour. Possession was not taken of her, and the ship was fired and deserted, blowing up in a few hours. The Minnesota having grounded where the Merrimac could not get at her, these two engaged at long range, the Roanoke and St. Lawrence taking part for about four hours, when the Merrimac drew out of action leaking badly from the effects of ramming the Cumberland. Federal loss: 2 sailing frigates; killed, 247; wounded, 90.
Roanoke River,
April 18, 1864.
At 11 p.m. of the 18th the Confederate ram Albemarle was discovered coming down the Roanoke River. In obedience to previous instructions from the Admiral, the two gun-boats present (Miami, 12 guns, and Southfield, 4 guns) were lashed alongside each other to receive the attack, the intention being to put the ram between the two vessels, and while held by lashings fight her at point-blank on both sides. After lashing, the gun-boats were headed for the Albemarle, going full speed. The arrangement was perfect for a test of the plan. The ram scraping the port side of the Miami with her prow, struck the starboard bow of the Southfield, staving her in forward; the forward lashings were broken, and the gun-boats swung out of the angle of fire after giving but one broadside. The ram backed clear to get room for a blow at the Miami, but the latter, having swung head down stream, escaped. The Southfield sank in about fifteen minutes. Federal loss: killed, 1; wounded, 11; missing, 67; 1 gun-boat sunk.
Albemarle Sound,
May 5, 1864.
The squadron blockading Albemarle Sound had received orders that in case the ram Albemarle appeared, the vessels were to form in double line ahead.
| Guns. | |
| Miami | 12 |
| Ceres | 4 |
| Commodore Hull | 6 |
| Seymour | 4 |
| Mattabesset | 6 |
| Sassacus | 6 |
| Wyalusing | 4 |
| Whitehead | 4 |
At 4.45 p.m. the Albemarle was sighted coming into the sound accompanied by two small gun-boats. The squadron formed and steamed to meet her, the Mattabesset and Sassacus delivering a broadside in passing at 100 yards. The ram attempted to run the Sassacus down, but the latter avoided her, being thrown out of the line in the manœuvre. Being in the vicinity of one of the Confederate gun-boats, the Sassacus gave her a broadside, received her surrender, and sent her out of action to an anchorage. Turning to resume her place in line, the Sassacus found herself in position to ram the Albemarle, and went at her full speed, striking her fairly amidships, and heeling her over considerably. The two vessels were in close contact for about ten minutes, when the Sassacus swung alongside and received a shot through her boilers, partially disabling her. The ram getting clear drew out of action and steamed up the river, chased for some distance by the squadron. Casualties on the Federal side: killed, 4; wounded, 25; 1 gun-boat disabled. Confederates: 1 gun-boat captured; 1 gun on the ram disabled. The bow of the Sassacus was somewhat broken and twisted, but not sufficient to leak.
Black Sea,
July 23, 1877.
On the morning of the 23d the Russian gun-boat Vesta (6 guns), cruising in the sea, made out black smoke on the horizon at early daylight, and steamed towards it. When within less than two miles she discovered it to be the Turkish iron-clad frigate Assav-i-Tefvik (14 guns), and turned to escape; a running fight ensued, lasting for two hours, the Turk slowly overhauling the Vesta. When within about half a mile, a shell from the Vesta exploded in the barbette turret of the Turk, disabling its gun, killing and wounding most of the crew. The latter then hauled on and the Vesta escaped. Action indecisive. Killed and wounded about equal on both sides.
Off Ylo, Peru,
May 29, 1877.
The Peruvian iron-clad Huascar, having been taken possession of by a party of insurgents, and having committed depredations against British commercial vessels, was attacked off Iquique by the British frigate Shah and the corvette Amethyst. The Huascar running into shoal water prevented the close approach of the enemy, and the action was continued for about three hours, during which time neither of the British vessels was struck and no notable damage had been done to the Huascar. Just before dark the Huascar cleared the shoals and ran down the coast followed by the British until dark. One Whitehead torpedo was sent at her, but ineffectually.
After dark a launch was sent into the bay of Ylo with Whitehead torpedoes for the purpose of sinking the vessel, but she had escaped. Action indecisive. Casualties: Peruvian, killed, 1; wounded, 1. British, none. Neither vessel injured sufficiently to affect her fighting power. The Huascar was manned by a raw crew, causing her fire to be entirely ineffective.
Iquique Harbor,
May 21, 1879.
The Peruvian iron-clads Independencia and Huascar appeared off Iquique Harbor on the morning of May 21st, finding there the Chilian gun-boats Esmeralda and Covadonga. The latter on discovering the enemy ran into shoal water, the iron-clads taking a position about 2000 yards away. After a short action, the Covadonga (apparently with the intention of dividing the fire and possibly escaping) attempted to run down the coast, the Independencia giving chase. The Huascar continued to engage the Esmeralda, and notwithstanding the short range, failed to hit her. At length a shore battery drove the Esmeralda into deep water, and before she could commence to manœuvre a shot from the Huascar disabled her engines. The Huascar then rammed her three times, the first two blows being total failures on account of stopping the ship too quick. The third was a success, sinking the Esmeralda with her colors flying. The Covadonga, keeping in shoal water as much as possible, ran for two hours, the Independencia making three attempts to ram her and failing. At the fourth attempt the ship was missed, and the Independencia struck a rock and hung fast. The Covadonga at once turned, and taking a position under the Peruvian’s stern, opened fire on him and forced him to surrender. The Huascar appearing at this time, possession could not be taken, and the Covadonga escaped. Attempts to haul the Peruvian off the rocks proving unavailing, she was fired and burned. In this action the Chilians lost the greatest number of men owing to the sinking of the Esmeralda, but the loss of the Independencia more than counterbalanced it.