20 THE SEA. 



Minnesota , and Roanoake were frigates carrying an aggregate of over 150 guns and nearl3 

 2,000 men. They, however, were wooden vessels ; and although, in two cases in particular, 

 defended with persistent heroism, had no chance against the ironclad, hastily as she had 

 been prepared. There is little doubt that the officers of the two former vessels, in 

 particular, knew something of the nature of the " forlorn hope " in which they were about 

 to engage, when she hove in sight on that memorable 8th of March, 1862. It is said 

 that the sailors, however, derided her till she was close upon them so close that their 

 laughter and remarks were heard on board. "That Southern Bugaboo," " that old Secesh 

 curiosity," were among the milder titles applied to her. 



The engagement was fought in the Hampton Roads, which is virtually an outlet ot 

 the James River, Virginia. The latter, like the Thames, has considerable breadth 

 and many shallows near its mouth. The Merrimac left Norfolk Navy-yard (which holds 

 to the James River somewhat the position that Sheerness does to the Thames) hurriedly 

 on the morning of the 8th, and steamed steadily towards the enemy's fleet, accompanied 

 by some smaller vessels of war and a few tug-boats. 



*' Meanwhile, the shapeless iron mass 



Came moving o'er the wave, 

 As gloomy as a passing hearse, 

 As silent as the grave." 



The morning was still and calm as that of a Sabbath-day. That the Merrimac was 

 Hot expected was evidenced by the boats at the booms, and the sailors' clothes still 

 hanging in the rigging of the enemy's vessels. " Did they see the long, dark hull ? Had 

 they made it out ? Was it ignorance, apathy, or composure that made them so indifferent ? 

 or were they provided with torpedoes, which could sink even the Merrimac in a minute ? " 

 were questions mooted on the Southern side by those watching on board the boats and 

 from the shore. 



As soon, however, as she was plainly discerned, the crews of the Cumberland, Congress, 

 and other vessels were beat to quarters, and preparations made for the fight. " The engage- 

 ment," wrote the Confederate Secretary of the Navy, " commenced at half -past three p.m., 

 and at four p.m. Captain Buchanan had sunk the Cumberland, captured and burned the 

 Congress, disabled and driven the Minnesota ashore, and defeated the St. Lawrence and 

 Roanoake, which sought shelter under the guns of Fortress Monroe. Two of the enemy's 

 small steamers were blown up, and the two transport steamers were captured." This, 

 as will be seen, must, as regards time, be taken cum grano salis, but in its main points is 

 correct. 



The Merrimac commenced the action by discharging a broadside at the Congress, one 

 shell from which killed or disabled a number of men at the guns, and then kept on towards 

 the Cumberland, which she approached with full steam on, striking her on the port side 

 near the bow, her stem knocking two of the ports into one, and her ram striking the 

 vessel under the water-line. Almost instantaneously a large shell was discharged from 

 her forward gun, which raked the gun-deck of the doomed ship, and killed ten men. 

 Five minutes later the ship began to sink by the head, a large hole having been made 



