The victory won on the waters of Hampton Roads on Saturday and Sunday last, is one which for eclat, is without a parallel in the annals of naval achievements. One vessel has, in open encounter, destroyed two, perhaps three of the choicest vessels of the enemy, with very slight injury to herself! The Virginia was indeed zealously supported by the Patrick Henry and other slight steamers; but the brunt of the fight fell on her—the blows which won the victory came from her. Some account of this vessel will be interesting in this hour of her fame.
The Virginia—known then as the Merrimac—was burned to the water’s edge by the enemy, and sunk, at the time of the capture by our forces, of the Portsmouth Navy Yard, on the 20th April last. The hull was subsequently raised, and built upon, after a plan conceived and suggested by Lieutenant John M. Brooke, of the Confederate States Navy. This plan was an entire novelty in the history of naval architecture. It provided for the submerging of as much of the structure as possible, including both bow and stern, and making the rest invulnerable to the shot of the enemy, by an iron covering. Armed with the largest guns herself, and with the bow so contrived as to make her very formidable as a ram, the Virginia was sent cut to try her prowess upon the enemy.
Naval Constructor John L. Porter, and Chief Engineer William P. Williamson, deserve also much credit for valuable suggestions, and for efficient services during the construction of the vessel. As showing the amount of labor necessary for the full equipment of this unique vessel, it may be stated that twelve hundred men have been thus employed constantly for six months past. Much of the work was done in Richmond. This simple statement will show how unfounded have been the complaints that the Navy Department was showing no energy in the matter. The trumpets indeed were not sounded nor the bells rung at every step of progress. The Department did not even stop to answer the allegations that the whole scheme was an expensive abortion ; but quietly, and with the energy we have described, it pressed forward the vast work, and today it is permitted to rejoice in a success equal to its most sanguine hopes. Many times over did the Virginia pay for herself on her first day’s adventure!
The crew of the Virginia numbers, in full complement, officers and men together, three hundred and twenty-five. Her armament is twelve heavy guns. It is not believed that her crew was entirely full in her late adventure. She was commanded by Captain and Flag officer Franklin Buchanan. When the gallant captain started on his expedition he addressed his men in a few words, to the effect, that he was bound to say to them that they were going upon an experiment; that he could not tell them whether he was taking them to glory or to death; that it only remained for them to test it; that one thing he could promise them—they should not complain that he had not taken them near enough to the enemy. If the gallant flag officer and his hero followers could hear the joyous acclamations which are rising all over our land as the news spreads of their beautiful achievement, they would realise that the Captain’s doubt is ended now, and that their measure of fame is as full as the gratitude and admiration of their countrymen can make it. It is a victory which will shine on the pages of history, where at present it has not its parallel.
The two frigates Congress and Cumberland, (the latter razeed) which were destroyed the first day, involved a loss to our enemies of over a million of dollars. The Cumberland bore a most formidable armament of heavy guns. It is thought that she was under the command of Commander William Smith, U. S. N. The Congress is thought to have been under the command of Commander Livingston.
The Minnesota, which was greatly crippled, if not destroyed, was one of the very best steamers of the enemy’s navy. She was nearly new and built at cost, for hull and machinery, of $846,000. Armament and stores of all kinds carried her value up to about eleven hundred thousand dollars. She was the flagship of Commodore Goldsborough, and it is to be hoped that he was at his post. This splendid steamer, which had been run ashore and greatly damaged during the fight, was reported to have been blown up by her own officers at four o’clock Monday morning, to prevent our gaining possession. We learned, however, by passengers from Norfolk on yesterday evening that she was tugged off on yesterday morning, and towed to Fortress Monroe.
Thus three magnificent vessels, worth more than two million dollars, have fallen, or been disabled, before the attack of our floating battery ! We rejoice in this result for its material value. We rejoice because it is a victory on the water.—We rejoice because it is a triumph of Southern skill and ingenuity ; we trust it will provoke many imitations by land andby sea.—We rejoice for the fame which our flag has won. Most heartily do we congratulate the gallant men who went forth upon an experiment, with their lives in their hands, but returned with laurels such as naval hero never plucked against such odds before.
Let this triumph not lull us into idle felicitations, but incite us to new energies. The enemy will attempt to retrieve his shame by some desperate endeavor. Let us be vigilant ! And let us be encouraged to fresh diligence!—The sound of the hammer should be heard night and day, in all our ship-yards, and the ring of the anvils in all our factories. Bombproofs and casemates should be provided for every open battery, and our waters should be blocked against incursions of the pirates.—Fling trees into our rivers; drive piles—anything that will bar or delay the enemy. And let our forces on land answer back in deeds to this greeting from the waters, and send meet response to the victors of Hampton Roads !
At the time of writing this, we are without details as to the numbers of prisoners, the killed and wounded, &c. We expect further information before going to press. If obtained it will appear in another column.
Richmond Enquirer, Richmond, VA