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board； and there's nothing to prevent her going out this evening if
she wants to。〃
〃It will be worth seeing when she does go out to fight the
Northerners；〃 Vincent said。 〃It will be a new experiment in
warfare； and； if she turns out a success； I suppose all the navies in
the world will be taking to cover themselves up with iron。〃
The next morning； which was the 8th of March…a date forever
memorable in naval annals…smoke was seen pouring out from the
funnels of the Merrimac； and there were signs of activity on board
the Patrick Henry； of six guns； and the Jamestown； Raleigh；
Beaufort； and Teazer； little craft carrying one gun each； and at
eleven o'clock they all moved down the inlet on which Norfolk is
situated。 The news that the Merrimac was going out to attack the
enemy had now spread； and the whole population of Norfolk
turned out and hastened down toward the month of tbe inlet on
horseback； in vehicles； or on foot； while Vincent rode to the
batteries on Sewell's Point； nearly facing Fort Monroe。
He left his horse at a farmhouse a quarter of a mile from the
battery； for Wildfire was always restless under fire； and it was
probable that the batteries would take a share in the affair。 At one
o'clock some of the small Federal lookout launches were seen to
be at work signaling； a bustle could be observed prevailing among
the large ships over by the fortress； and it was evident that the
Merrimac was visible to them as she came down the inlet。 The
Cumberland and Congress men…of…war moved out in that direction；
and the Minnesota and the St。 Lawrence； which were at anchor； got
under weigh； assisted by steam…tugs。
The Merrimac and the fleet of little gunboats were now visible
from the battery； advancing against the Cumberland and Congress。
The former opened fire upon her at a distance of a mile with her
heavy pivot guns； but the Merrimac； without replying； continued
her slow and steady course toward them。 She first approached the
Congress； and as she did so a puff of smoke burst from the forward
end of her pent…house； and the water round the Congress was
churned up by a hail of grape…shot。 As they passed each other both
vessels fired a broadside。 The officers in the fort； provided with
glasses； could see the effect of the Merrimac's fire in the light
patches that showed on the side of the Congress； but the Merrimac
appeared entirely uninjured。 She now approached the
Cumberland； which poured several broadsides into her； but
altogether without effect。 The Merrimac； without replying；
steamed straight on and struck the Cumberland with great force；
knocking a large hole in her side； near the water…line。 Then
backing off she opened fire upon her。
For half an hour the crew of the Cumberland fought with great
bravery。 The ships lay about three hundred yards apart； and every
shot from the Merrimac told on the wooden vessel。 The water was
pouring in through the breach。 The shells of the Merrimac crushed
through her side； and at one time set her on fire； but the crew
worked their guns until the vessel sank beneath their feet。 Some
men succeeded in swimming to land； which was not far distant；
others were saved by small boats from the shore； but nearly half of
the crew of 400 men were either killed in action or drowned。
The Merrimac now turned her attention to the Congress； which
was left to fight the battle alone； us the Minnesota had got
aground； and the Roanoake and St。 Lawrence could not approach
near enough to render them assistance from their draught of water。
The Merrimac poured broadside after broadside into her； until the
officer in command and many of the crew were killed。 The
lieutenant who succeeded to the command； seeing there was no
prospect of help； and that resistance was hopeless； hauled down
the flag。 A gunboat was sent alongside； with orders that the crew
should leave the Congress and come on board； as the ship was to
be burned。 But the troops and artillery lining the shore now
opened fire on the little gunboat； which consequently hauled off。
The Merrimac； after firing several more shells into the Congress；
moved away to attack the Minnesota； and the survivors of the 200
men who composed the crew of the Congress were conveyed to
shore in small boats。 The vessel was set on fire either by her own
crew or the shells of the Merrimac； and by midnight blew up。
Owing to the shallowness of the water the Merriruac could not get
near enough to the Minnesota to use her own small guns to
advantage； and the gunboat was driven off by the heavy ten…inch
gun of the Federal frigate； and therefore at seven o'clock the
Merrimac and her consorts returned to Norfolk。 The greatest
delight was felt on shore at the success of the engagement； and on
riding back to Norfolk Vincent learned that the ram would go out
again next morning to engage the rest of the Federal fleet。
She herself had suffered somewhat in the fight。 Her loss in men
was only two killed and eight wounded； but two of her guns had
the muzzles shot off； the armor was damaged in some places； and
most serious of all she had badly twisted her ram in running into
the Cumberland。 Still it appeared that she was more than a match
for the rest of the Federal fleet； and that these must either fly or be
destroyed。
As the general had given him three days' leave； Vincent was able
to stay to see the close of the affair； and early next morning again
rode down to Sewell's Point； as the Merrimac was to start at
daybreak。 At six o'clock the ironclad came out from the river and
made for the Minnesota； which was still aground。 The latter was
seen to run up a signal； and the spectators saw an object which
they had not before perceived coming out as if to meet the ram。
The glasses were directed toward it； and a general exclamation of
surprise was heard。
〃What is the thing？ It looks like a raft with two round turrets upon
it； and a funnel。〃 A moment's consideration； and the truth burst
upon them。 It was the ship they had heard of as building at New
York； and which had been launched six weeks before。 It was
indeed the Monitor； which had arrived during the night； just in
time to save the rest of the Federal fleet。 She was the first regular
ironclad ever built。 She was a turret ship； carrying two very heavy
guns； and showing only between two and three feet above the
water。
The excitement upon both shores as these adversaries approached
each other was intense。 They moved slowly； and not until they
were within a hundred yards distance did the Monitor open fire；
the Merrimac replying at once。 The fire for a time was heavy and
rapid； the distance between the combatants varying from fifty to
two hundred yards。 The Monitor had by far the greatest speed； and
was much more easily turned than the Confederate ram； and her
guns were very much heavier； and the Merrimac while still
keeping up the fight made toward the mouth of