THE "MERKIMAC." 21 



by the point of the ram, through which the water rushed in. As the Merrimac rounded 

 and rapidly came up again, she once more raked the Cumberland, killing or wounding 

 sixteen more men. Meantime the latter was endeavouring to defend herself, and poured 

 broadside after broadside into the Merrimac ; but the balls, as one of the survivors tells 

 us, bounced " upon her mailed sides like india-rubber, apparently making not the least 

 impression except to cut off her flagstaff, and thus bring down the Confederate colours. 

 None of her crew ventured at that time on her outside to replace them, and she fought 



THE ORIGINAL " MERRIMAC." 



thenceforward with only her pennant flying."* Shortly after this, the Merrimac again 

 attacked the unfortunate ship, advancing with her greatest speed, her ram making another 

 hole below the water-line. The Cumberland began to fill rapidly. The scene on board 

 is hardly to be described in words. It was one of horrible desperation and fruitless 

 heroism. The decks were slippery with human gore; shreds of human flesh, and portions 

 of the body, arms, legs, and headless trunks were scattered everywhere. Below, the cockpit 

 was filled with wounded, whom it would be impossible to succour, for the ship was sinking 

 fast. Meantime the men stuck to their posts, powder was still served out, and the 

 firing kept up steadily, several of the crew lingering so long in the after shell-room, 



* The pilot of the Cumberland. 



