Source: Pacific Commercial Advertiser. Honolulu: April 3, 1862
A naval engagement had taken place between the Rebel iron clad frigate Merrimac and a number of United States ships in Norfolk roads, in which several vessels were disabled and sunk. The new United States iron clad frigate Monitor was found a match for the Merrimac. The following is the telegraphic report of this affair:
FORTRESS MONROE, March 9.-The Confederate steamer Merrimac made her appearance yesterday, and with the assistance of two gunboats from Norfolk, made an attack on Newport News and the vessels stationed at that place. The Merrimac was first seen from the ramparts of Fortress Monroe at 10 o'clock. Her sides, wheelhouses and stern are covered with sloping iron plates, extending two feet below the water line, and meeting above like the roof of a house. On her bows, above the waterline, were two sharp iron points, resembling plows. From the boat were seen two guns projecting from long, elliptical port holes. The design of the enemy did not become apparent until after 1 o'clock, by the time the Minnesota got under way for the scene of action. The Roanoke, flagship, being disabled, was taken in tow by two gunboats.
The first shot was fired at 2 o'clock, from the frigate Cumberland. Sewall's Point battery then opened on the Minnesota, which was passing, and fired several guns. The Rip-Raps replied, and the engagement became general. After firing two guns the Cumberland was struck twice by the Merrimac's sharp low armor, making terrible holes in her below the water lines. The Cumberland continued firing until the water entered her holes ports, when she careened slowly and finally sunk. No apparent effect was produced on the Merrimac by the continuous firing of our batteries and vessels. The Minnesota having got around on her way up, could afford but little assistance. Shortly after 3 o'clock the rebel gunboats Yorktown and Jamestown arrived. The former being disabled early in the afternoon, put ashore for repairs.
After sinking the Cumberland, the Merrimac turned her attention to the frigate Congress, and in less than an hour afterwards she surrendered. Her seamen were allowed to escape. The frigate St. Lawrence arrived here during the afternoon, and immediately proceeded up the river, following the example of the Minnesota and Roanoke, firing on the battery at Sewall's Point, but like the rest, the shots fell short. The gunboat Mystic also turned up, but at sundown the Roanoke, Mystic, and St. Lawrence returned.
The conflict between the Minnesota and rebel gun bats continued without apparent effect until dark. At midnight the Congress was burned by the rebels. During the evening the Iron clad steamer Monitor [presumed to be Ericcson's new steam battery] arrived here, and proceeded to take part in the action. Reinforcements of men and ammunition were sent yesterday afternoon to Newport News. During the night only an occasional gun was fired.
This morning the conflict was renewed, until the presence of the Monitor was known to the Merrimac, when they engaged each other for two or three hours, at long shot range, without perceptible effect on either side. They seemed almost to run each other down, once or twice. The Monitor's battery finally succeeded in forcing a large hole in the port side of the Merrimac, in the boiler. The gunboat Houri was seriously damaged, and was obliged to retire. The principal loss of life was on board the Cumberland, where it is thought 180 must have been killed or drowned. According to the report of the officers of the Minnesota, six were lost on her. One rebel gunboat was cut in two yesterday.
CHICAGO, MARCH 10.
[The following is a continuation of the account of the engagement between the rebel iron clad steamer Merrimac and the Federal iron clad steamer Monitor, and the gunboats on each side.]
FORTRESS MONROE, March 9.-One rebel gunboat was cut in two yesterday by the Monitor, without her speed being perceptibly diminished. The Monitor is the new iron-clad vessel just completed by Ericsson. Her first trip was made at the latter part of last week from New York to Fortress Monroe.
FORTRESS MONROE, March 10.- The frigate Congress is supposed to have lost over 100 men, including one officer. Only the opportune arrival of the Monitor insured the safety of the Minnesota and other U.S. vessels, by her (the Monitor) dialing the Merrimac, which, previous to her arrival, was proof against everything.
FORTRESS MONROE, March 10-The Minnesota yesterday returned here. The naval station at the entrance of Hampton Roads is again ready for action. The Monitor came down early to-day.
Gen. Wood and Staff, and the Assistant Secretary of the Navy went aboard. She is found not to be damaged in the slightest degree, and is prepared for another conflict. Her performance on Sunday was perfectly satisfactory. Her officers speak of her in the highest terms.
FORTRESS MONROE, March 10.-The latest estimate of the number killed on the Congress is 50, including 3 officers; 27 wounded, and 40 prisoners. The killed. wounded and drowned on the Cumberland will probably reach 150. On the Whitehall, 4 were killed, and 3 wounded. On the Dragoon, which received a shot in her boiler, 3 were killed. On the Minnesota, 6 were killed and 17 wounded. The Roanoke received only two shots, and was but little damaged. It is now generally believed that the Merrimac is seriously damaged. The testimony of some of the seamen who saw her is, that she listed considerably, as she went into Sewall's Point. She has not made her appearance to day.
The following is copied from Gen. Wool's official report: The Chief Engineer of the Monitor says 3 balls from that vessel passed through the Merrimac. The Monitor was struck 33 times.
FORTRESS MONROE, March 11-All the papers belonging to the frigate Cumberland went down with her, consequently it is impossible to obtain a correct list of the killed, wounded and lost. A flag of truce was sent to Craney Island to-day, and the rebel officers say that the Merrimac was damaged but not seriously. They admit the loss of 4 killed and several wounded. The rebel gunboat Yorktown received a shot in her boiler during the engagement. The Norfolk Day Book gives the total rebel loss in the engagement as 12 killed and wounded. It also makes an exaggerated statement regarding the Federal losses, putting them at 1,200.
NEW YORK, March 12.-The President officially announces the creation of a new army department west of the Potomac and east of the Mississippi, under the command of Gen. Fremont.
By rebel account, Commodore Buchanan, of the Merrimac, died from his wounds received in the engagement on Saturday. Commodore Ap. Catesby Jones commanded her on Sunday.
