Lesson 61: An Account of Our First Iron Clad, The Virginia
There had been building in the Navy Yard at Norfolk a strange nondescript kind of sea-monster, which had by turn excited the fear and ridicule of our enemies. Wonderful accounts of what it was to be and do had from time to time appeared in both the Northern and Southern newspapers.
But month after month rolled by, and still inactive slept this monster, a dull, dead, inanimate mass. At length, tired probably of occupying one position so long, and desirous of enlarging its experience of life, the creature one fine morning slipped its cables and glided quietly into the river on whose bank it had so long peacefully reposed. As a matter of course, this change of position was the signal for renewed descriptions and surmises, while all unconscious of the hubbub it was creating, the stranger floated lazily to and fro in its new and watery home, evidently pleased with the change and content to remain where it lay. But days and weeks passed on, and time, which changes all things, wrought curious changes in this creature too.
Its appearance, from being light and irregular, had become black and smooth, while at intervals along its sides gaped ugly holes which the curious and speculative asserted must be mouths. Its appetite, too, was singularly varied. On some days, those who had it in charge would feed it exclusively on great black balls, which, though indigestible in appearance, were readily assimilated by its wonderful organs. On other days, it swallowed great long black-looking articles resembling huge lamp-posts, which, it was said, had been prepared expressly for its palate. But time would fail to enumerate the numerous articles of its diet. Suffice it to say that its wants were attended to with the greatest care. Thus, in the quiet enjoyment of its existence and the natural developement of its organs and powers, the monster passed many days. The world still talked and commented, sometimes with ridicule and sometimes with terror. But this creature began at length to grow restless, as if weary of inaction and longing for another change. At times, it would heave and sigh as if for liberty, and in its groanings breathe out great volumes of discolored air, which in appearance resembled smoke.
Thus the days passed by until about the 11th of March, 1862, when, one calm afternoon her cables were cut, and the "Virginia," for it is our first iron-clad that we have been describing, steamed forth on her terrible errand. As to her construction, little need be said, as repeated descriptions have, from time to time, appeared in the papers. Suffice it to say that she was the hull of the steamer Merrimac, which had been burnt to the water's edge, repaired and remodelled so as to present the appearance of a long, narrow, floating ark, whose eaves extended beneath the water. Her smoke stack, steam-pipe and pilot-house were the only things visible above the roof, if we may give it that name. She was entirely encased in an iron armor composed of plates six inches wide and four and a half inches thick. Her armament was ten very heavy guns, and her bow was provided with a huge iron nose or ram. The shore of the river was lined with spectators as she steamed down toward Newport News, off which point lay the Cumberland and the Congress, two of the enemy's first-class ships. The Cumber-land carried 22 guns and the Congress, 44. The distance between Norfolk and Newport News was about ten miles, and as the Virginia moved but slowly, she was several hours in reaching her antagonists. When within a few miles of them, everything on board was seen to be making ready for the reception of their ugly visitor. The men were beat to quarters, the decks cleared for action, and the guns loaded and run out. It was afterwards learned from several of the prisoners that they looked with contempt upon the Virginia as she moved sluggishly along, and that jest after jest went round at her expense while she was approaching. When within a mile of them, both of the ships and the batteries on shore opened upon her at once. Many of the shot and shell struck, but glanced harmlessly from her sides. Onward she bore in silence, not returning a single shot, until, under a perfect storm of balls, she had approached to within two hundred yards of the Cumberland. She then opened upon that vessel with her immense bow gun, the shell striking, and passing diagonally through her. After another shot from the same gun, the Virginia, keeping steadily on, ran into the Cumberland's bow, driving her iron nose into the enemy with terrible effect. Though the ship was surrendered immediately after this catastrophe, her injuries were so great that she sunk in about ten minutes, carrying down with her nearly all of the ill-fated crew.
Having thus effectually dispatched one, our gallant vessel turned her attention to the other of her antagonists, the Congress, whose crew, terrified at the fate of their comrades, had run her ashore, and were escaping as rapidly as possible. The Virginia opened upon her with a broadside, and the white flag was immediately run up. While our noble ship had thus been contending with these two, a third vessel, the Minnesota, almost the finest steam frigate of the Yankee Navy, had been pouring in a heavy fire at the distance of about a mile. The Virginia now gave her the honor of a few moments consideration. Unfortunately the water was so shallow that our boat could not approach nearer than a mile, but, as the Minnesota was aground, our gunners had a fine mark. They fired until they had completely riddled the Minnesota, and finally ceased, leaving her almost a wreck. She would have sunk had she not been aground. Night was now fast drawing her sable curtain over the scene of destruction, but that scene was soon to be illuminated again. With their usual disregard for the obligations imposed by the white flag, the enemy, under the cover of night, set fire to the Congress as she lay near the shore, and she was soon wrapped in flames. The old frigate made a glorious bonfire, the wild flames leaping from rope to rope, and spar to spar, as if exulting in their work of ruin. The light was seen for miles and miles around.
Many of the guns were left loaded by the crew in their hurry to escape, and as they became heated, one by one they boomed forth with sullen roar their last and farewell salutes over the wreck of the burning ship, and the watery grave of the Cumberland's crew. Thus perished the Congress and the Cumberland. But the night wore on, and shortly after daybreak a small but peculiar looking vessel, resembling in shape a flatboat with a huge Dutch cheese upon it, was seen steaming in towards the Virginia, from Old Point. It proved to be the first of the monitors, which had arrived, luckily for the enemy, the evening before. Though leaking badly from a twist of her iron nose, the effect of the tremendous blow she had given the Cumberland, the Virginia had no idea of declining the challenge thus boldly given, and slowly advanced to meet her adversary. Neither fired a gun until within a few hundred yards of each other, when they opened almost simultaneously. Their iron sides fairly rang as the huge projectiles dashed against them. Closer and closer they drew until there was scarcely thirty yards between them, and yet, though sustaining such a terrific fire, neither was materially injured. The pilot-house of the Monitor was partially crushed, killing several, and putting out the eye-sight of the commanding officer, who was in it at the time, while, on the contrary, a shell from the Monitor entered one of the Virginia's port holes, killing and wounding eight or nine persons. It was evident that the pair were quite equally matched, and after a fierce contest at the closest range, they drew off, mutually satisfied.
The Monitor steamed back to Fortress Monroe, and the Virginia returned to the Norfolk Navy Yard for repairs. Our whole loss during the series of engagements was trifling, being not more than twelve in killed and wounded. Thus ended the first practical experiment with iron-clad vessels. The experiment was eminently successful, and the result has been to cause a complete revolution in the art of building ships of war.