440 
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF 
“ In passing the fort we received a shell forward on the berth deck which ex¬ 
ploded, knocking out a dead-light on the port side, starting a fire on the top of the 
magazine. Owing to the presence of mind of Acting Ensign Hall, commanding the 
powder division, and Gunner William Parker, the fire was promptly extinguished, 
and the supply of powder was as rapid as ever before. 
“ All the berths, bulkheads, and furniture in the cabin a total wreck, caused by 
the explosion of a 7-inch shell which entered at the water-line.” 
From Chief-Engineer Hunt,— 
“ A 7-inch Brooke’s rifle projectile penetrated the forward out-board end of the 
starboard boiler, about eight inches above upper tube sheet, carrying away the entire 
sheet through which it entered, and, exploding inside the boiler, inflicted serious 
damage to the entire forward end of the same, destroying all the angle-iron and the 
fore and aft braces thereto attached, starting the tube sheets and all the tubes in the 
two forward tube boxes. Two of the heaviest fragments of the shell were driven 
through the front of the boiler, destroying the upper man-hole plate, the entire sheet 
to which it was attached, and starting the riveting of the adjoining sheets. 
“ In its present condition the boiler is totally unfit for use.” 
From Lieut. Lull, U. S. Steamer “Brooklyn,” August 6th, 1864. 
“ A shell which exploded on the berth deck forward killed or wounded every man 
at the two shell-whips, and those who were passing shell between them, also carrying 
away one whip. 
“Acting Ensign Utter, and his assistant, Sailmaker Brayton, rigged another whip 
and stationed new men to man it, and just as they were recommencing work a second 
shell exploded again, clearing away every man. 
“.Our chain cable, ranged up and down the starboard side, saved our boilers 
from one shot, and the sand-bags upon the berth deck saved them from one if not 
two more.” 
Extracts from Beport of Captain Marchand, U. S. Steam Sloop “ Lackawanna,” 
August 5th, 1864. 
“ Soon after the fleet had passed the middle ground the rebel iron-clad ‘Tennessee’ 
commenced approaching with the design of attacking our vessels, and in obedience 
to your signal, I started under the heaviest headway to run her down, and succeeded 
in striking her at right angles at the after end of the casemate. 
“ The concussion was great, but the effect on her was only a heavy list, whilst our 
stern was cut and crushed to the plank ends for a distance of three feet above the 
water’s edge to five feet below, and causing a considerable leak in forward store¬ 
room and peak. Fortunately our yards and topmasts were down, otherwise they, 
in all probability, would have been carried away by the concussion, which caused 
the ship to rebound and the stern of the ‘ Tennessee’ to recede. Some panic must 
have existed on board the enemy, as they fired but two guns through our bows. 
After striking, the two swung head and stern alongside of each other, and as our 
guns have been pivoted for the opposite side, we succeeded in discharging but one 
9-inch shell, that struck one of the enemy’s port shutters, which was distant about 
twelve feet, destroying it, and driving some of the fragments into her casemate.” 
From Acting Masters MeCurley and Allen, &c.,— 
'* The damages sustained by running down the rebel iron-clad ram * Tennessee ’ 
are as follows :— 
“ The head and cutwater badly injured; the stem, for a distance of eighteen feet, 
and up to wood ends, completely gone; that portion of it comprised between the 
water line and draught-mark eight forced in, causing the planking for distance of 
several feet to be wrenched from fastening, the ends of which, exposed considerably, 
and leaving that portion of the bow in a much exposed condition.” 
