| 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.