The New York Herald Newspaper, March 10, 1862, Page 1

aN a NEW YORK HERALD. WHOLE NO. 9312, MMPORTANT FROM FORTRESS MONROE The Merrimac Out of Norfolk. The Rebel Iron-Clad Steamers James- ‘own and Yorktown Join Her Of Newport’s News. PREMENDOUS NAVAL CONFLICT The Union Frigate Cumberland Sunk. , About One Hundred Lives Said to be Lost, ®urrender of the Frigate Congress. The Union Ships-of-War Minnesota, Roanoke, St. Lawrence and Mys- tie Engaged in the Fight. THE MINNESOTA ASHORE. arrival of the Ericsson Iron-Clad Steamer Monitor from New York. ANOTHER NAVAL ENGAGEMENT. Whe Merrimac, Jamestown and ‘Zorktown Attack the Monitor. She Beats Them Off and Dis- -ables the Merrimac. SPLENDID SUCCESS OF THE MONITOR. Bketches of the Vessels Engaged on Both Sides, Ye, &e., &e. Wasmmneton, March 9, 1862. ‘The government has received information ftom Fortress Monroe, by special despatches ftom General Wool and Mr. Fox, Assistant Sect getary of the Navy, that yesterday the iron- Glad steamer Merrimac and the gunboats James- ftewn and Yorktown attacked our fleet, sunk the Cumberland, and took the frigate Con- grees. The Minnesota was aground when the Fortrees Monroe boat left, but has since been towed off safely. 2 THE DETAILS. Forramse Mownor, March 8, 1962. ‘The dulness of Old Point was startled to-day by the an- Beuncement that a suspicious looking vessel, supposed to Pe the Merrimac, looking like a submerged house, with gh roof only above water, was moving down from Nor- elk by the channel in front of the Sewall’s Point bate, Plea, Signal guns were also fired by the Cumberland and Gengress to notify the Minnesota, St. Lawrence and Roan. @be ef the approaching danger, and all was excitement in end about Fortress Monree, ‘There was nothing protruding above the water but & Gagetasl fying the rebel flag, and a short smokestack. he moved along slowly and turned into the channel Mending to Newport's News, and steamed direct for the Brigates Cumberland and Congress, whieh were lying at (Be mouth of James river. “ aa 0m a6 she came within range of the Oumberiand the latter opened on her with Deavy guns; but tne bails struck and off, having no mere effect than peas from a pop- gun. Her ports were ail closed, and she moved on in Bilence, but with a full head of steam. In the meantime, 0s the Merrimac was approaching the two frigates on one Bide, the rebel iren-clad steamers Yorktown and James- town came down James river and engaged our frigates @m the other side. The batteries at Newport’s News also On the Congress striking her colors, the Jamestown Spproached and took from on board of her all her officers fs prisoners, but allowed the erew to escape in boats, Ghe vessel, being thus cleared, was fired by the rebels, when the Merrimac and her two iron-clad companions Opened with shell and shot on the Newport's News batte. tee, The firing was briskly returned. ‘Various reports have been received, principally from frightened sutlers’ clerks. Some of them ropresent that the garrison had been compelied to retreat from the bat- tertes to the Woods. Another was that the two smaller rebel steamers had been compolied to retreat from their gone. to the monn time the steam frigate Minnesote, having got up steam, was being towed up to tho relief of two frigates, but did not get up until it was too late asset them. She was also followed up the frigate St. Lawrence, which was taken tow by several of the small harbor steamers. It is, however, rumored that neither of these vessels had pilots on board, and after a short engagement ‘Doth of them seemed to be, in the opinion of the pilots on the Point, aground. ‘The Minnesota, cither intentionally or from necessity, engaged the shroe steamers, at about a mile distance, ‘with only her two bow guns. The St. Lawrence also poured in shot from all the guns she could bring to bear, and it was the impression of the most experienced naval officers on the Point that both had been considerably damaged. ‘These statements, it must be borne m mind, are all based on what eould be seen by a glass, at a distance o, nearly eight miles, and a few panic stricken non-com, peiatlte who fled at almost the first gun from Newport’s jows. In the mean time darkness approached, though the moon shone out brightly, and nothing but the occasional flashing of guns could be seen. The Merrimac was also Delieved to be aground, as she remained] stationary at a distance of a mile from the Minnosota, making no at- tempt to attack or molest her. Previous to the departure of the steamer for Baltimore no guns bad been fired for half an hour, the last one being fired from the Aliunesota, Some perapns deciared that, immediately after this last gun was fired, a dense volume of smoke was seen to rise from the Merrimac, Indicating the explosion of her boiler. Whether this is £0 oF not cannot be known, but it wasthe unanimous opinion that the rebel monster was hard aground. Fears, of course, were entertained for the safety of the Minnesota and St. Lawrence in such an unequal contest ; ‘Dut if the Merrimac was really ashore ghe could do no more damage. It was the intention of the Minnesota, with her picked and gallant crew, to run imte close quar- ters with the Merrimac, avoid her iron prow aud board her. This the Merrimac seemed not inclined to give her an opportunity to do. At eight o’clock, when the Baltimore boat left, a flees of steamtugs were being sent up to the re- lief of the Minnesota and the St. Lawrence, and an endeavor was to be made to draw them off the bar on which they had grounded. In the mean time the fring had suspended, whether from mutual consent or necossi- ty could not be ascertained. ‘The rebel battery at Pig Point was also enabled to join im the combined attack on the Minnesota, and several guns were fired at her from Sewall’s Point as she went up. None of them struck her, but one or two of them passed over hor. The Baltimore boat left Old Point av eight o'clock last night. In about half an hour after she left the wharf the iron-clad Ericsson steamer Monitor passed her, going in, towed by a large steamer. The Monitor undoubtedly reached Fortress Monroe by nine o’clock, and may have immediately gone into service; if not, she would be ready to take a hand early on Sunday morning. ‘The foregoing are all the facts as far ascan at prosent ‘be ascertained, and are probably the wosrt possible ver- sion of the affair. ANOTHER ACCOUNT. Fortress Mowrox, March 8, 1862. About noon to-day the rebel steamship Merrimac and ‘two gunboats were seen coming around Craney Island, headed for Newport's News. Half an hour after the naval lookout boat in the Roads signalized the fact to the Min- nesota and Roanoke, the latter, Capt. Marston, being the flagship. The Minnesota had steam up. The Roanoke having lain four months with a broken shaft, measures were taken to tow her. It was some time before they were under way, the Minnesota leading. The Roanoke, when near the Rip-Raps, was caught by the tide, and halfan hour was spent in getting her head right again. The gunboat Whitehall also got under way. Meanwhile the Merrimac was making good time for Newport's News, where the sailing frigate Congress and the Cumberland were the only naval vessels. As the Minnesota passed within range at Sewall’s Point, that battery opened en her. Its fire was returned vigorously. The fring being at long range, no perceptible effect was produced. In a little more than one hour from getting under way, tho Merrimac was within half a mile of Newport's News, when the firing commenced. Simultaneously with these movements the rebel steamers Yorktown and Jamestown came down James river and joined their fire with that of the Merrimac upon the Congress and the Cumberland. ‘The Merrimac seemed to proceed past the Congress and engage the Cumberland, which was also under the fire of the Yorktown and Jamestown. Our battery at Newport's ‘News opened vigorously on the iron-clad enemy. In about half an heur the masts of the Cumberland, which were visible over the point of land, were seen to list and finally go over, proving that she had sunk. About this time the Congress, with sails spread, was acen to come down a short distance and stop on the Point, ap- parently aground. Soon after the Merrimac reappeared and engaged her at short range ; and, after keeping up the contost fifteon or twenty minutes, the white flag of surrender was seen to float over the Congress’ deck. Meanwhile, as if the day was fated to be one of successive disasters to our ships, the Minnesota had grounded about two miles from Newport's News, where she lay making fruitless endea- vors to get clear. The Roanoke, by this time, had reached within two miles of her, but, seeing the current of events, turned back. The gunboat Mystic, which had also gone up, being in a disabled condition on account of her boiler giving out, also turned back, towed by a tug. Having accomplished this much, tbe Merrimac and the two rebel gunboats commenced shelling our camp at Newport’s News, with what effect it is of course, impos- sible to say now. “The Cumberland had ® erew of about 600 men, nearly one baif of whom perished when she went down, As yet the Congress has not been boarded, and it is supposed that General Mansfeld, on shore, prevents the rebels from doing it. ‘The Roanoke is also aground half way between the fortress and Newport's News. ‘The Cambridge has just come in, towing the 8t. Law- rence, and both will go to the conflict. General Wool has despatched two regiments by land to Newport's News. . It is reported that the Yorktown is on fire up James river. One of the guns of the Merrimac was disabled early in the action. The Mérrimac and Cumberland were on- gaged at elore quarters when the latter commenced sinking. The Merrimac now lies half a mile below Newport's Newsyand the firing between her and the Minnesota, at about two miles, is kept up briskly. The Congress has not been boarded. Six companies of Harlan’s cavalry and the Mounted Rifles have been (six o’clock) despatched to support General Mansfield, should he be attacked by land. The St. Lawrence bas gene into action, and is engaging the Jamestown. The Merrimac doos not feel disposed to come down to the Minnesota, while the Minnesota can not goto her. The Roanoke bas returned to her station opposite the fortress. A negro just in (seven o'clock) from Newport's News states that the Merrimac ran square into the Cumberland, which immediately went down. The negro states that some of the crew, who swam ashore, said the joss on the Cumberland was about one hundred. ‘There is some doubt about the burning of the Yorktown. ‘The firing is still kept up, the Merrimac still tying near the Congress, which appears not to have been boarded yet. Another person who left Newport’s News reports that the Merrimac did not fire till within two hundred yards of the Cumberland, when she fired and ran into her bow, causing her to eink immediately. She had previously been sot on fire, It is confirmed that about ono-haif of all on board were lost, ‘When my informant left the Congress had beon board’ od by the Merrimac, and the white flag was hoisted over her. Hor guns were then turned on our camp, At the present hour the firing has ceased. When last eon the Merrimac and the rebel gunboats seem to have drawn off towards Craney Island, and it is that she may attempt to go out to sea to-night, Prepa. rations have been made accordingly. ‘The Minnesota js still aground. ‘The St. Lawrenceand the Whiteball is noar here. It is stated that the shells that struck the Merrimac had no effect on her, but glanced off like pebbles. iad NEW YORK, MONDAY, MARCH 10, 1862. THE CONFLICT OFF NEWPORT’S NEWS. Scene of the Fight Between the Rebel Iron-Clad Gunboats and the Union Vessels of War. VERY IMPORTANT. THE SECOND DAY'S FIGHT. Arrival of the Ericsson Iron Gunboat Monitor in Hampton Roads—Fight Between Her and the Merrimac—The Latter Driven Back to Norfolk im a Sinking Condition. . Wasnmaton, March 9—6:45 P. M. The telegraph line to Fortress Monroe is just completed, and a message from there states that after the arrival of the Ericsson last night she was attacked by the Merrimac, Jamestown and Yorktown. After a five hours’ fight they were driven off, and the Merrimac put back to Norfolk in a sinking condition. FURTHER PARTICULARS. Fortress Monnog, March 9, 1862, The Monitor arrived at ten o’clock last night, and went immediately to the protection of the Minnesota, tying aground just below Newport’s News. At seven o’clock this morning the Mer- rimac, accompanied by the two wooden steam ers, the Yorktown and Jamestown, and several tugs stood out towards the Minnesota and opened fire. The Monitor met them at once and opened fire when the enemy’s vessels re- tired, excepting the Merrimac. The two iron clad vessels fought, part of the time touching each other, from eight o'clock in the morning till noon, when the Morrimae retreated. Lieutenant J. L. Worden, who commanded the Monitor, handled her with great skill, as- sisted by Chief Engineer Stimers. The Min- nesota kept up a continuous fire, and is herself somewhat injured. She was moved considera- bly to-day, and will probably be off to-night. The Monitor is uninjured, and ready at any moment to repel another attack. The Merrimac is understood to have been under the command of Commandant Buchanan, late of the Navy Yard. IMPORTANT DESPATCHES FROM GENERAL WOOL AND SECRETARY FOX. Wasurncton, March 9, 1862. The following was received to-night by Major Genoral McClellan from General Wool, dated Fortress Monroe, at six o'clock this evening:— ‘Two hours after my telegraphic despatch to the Secro_ tary of War last evening, the Monitor arrived. She im. mediately wont to the assistanee of the Minnesota, which was aground, and continued so until a few moments sinee, Karly this morning she was attacked by the Mer. rimac, Jamestown and Yorktown. After a five hours’ contest they were driven off, the Merrimac ina sinking condition. She was towed by the Jamestown, Yorktown and several smaller boats, towards Norfolk, no doubt, possible, to gether inthe dry dock for repairs. Tho Minnesota is afloat, and being towed towards Fortress Monroe. ‘The following despatch was also received to-night:— Fortness Mowros, March 9—6:45 P, M. Gwron Wuties, Secretary of the Navy :— The Monitor arrived at tem o’clock P. M. yesterday, ‘and went immediately to the protection of the Minnesota, lying aground just opposite Newport's News. At seven o’elock A. M. to-day the Merrimac, sccempanied by two wooden steamers and several tugs, stood out to- wards the Minnesota and opened fire. The Moni- tor met them at once and opened her fire, when all the enomy’s vessels retired, excepting the Merrimas. These two iron clad vessels fought, part of the time touching each othor, from eight o'clock A. Mf. till noon, when the Merrimac retired, Whether sho is injared or not it 1s impossible to say, Lieutenant J. 8. ‘Worden, who commanded tho Mouitor, handled her with Groat skill, assisted by Chief Engineor Stimers. Lieut, ‘Worden was injured by the coment from the pilot ouse being driven into his eyes, Dut I trust not se- viously. The Minnesota kept up a continuous fire, and is herself somewhat injured. She was removed considera- Dly to-day, and will probably be off to-night. The Moni- tor is uninjured, and ready at any moment to repel any attack. G. V. FOX, Assistant Secretary of the Navy. THE ASSISTANT. SECRETARY OF THE NAVY A WITNESS OF THE FIGHT. Waenincror, March 9, 1862. Assistant Secretary Fox, accompanied by Captain Wise, of the United States Navy, left here yosterday for Fortress Monroo, to inspect the little iron-clad gunboat Monitor. They arrived just in time to witness her splendid repulse of the rebel stoamer Merrimac and the whole rebel fleet, and to send the news back to Wash- ington over the newly completed telegraph line. THE NEWS AND ITS EFFECTS IN WASH- INGTON. ‘Wasuinatoy, March 9, 1862, ‘This has been a day of alternate gloom and sunshine, Dut has closed with a glorious burst of brightness for the Union cause. The news from Fortress Monroe about noon cast a deep gloom ever the whole community. The achievements of the rebel iron-clad steamer Merrimac wore the topic of! every conversation. Fears were ex- prossod that she would come up the Potomac and wipe out our Potomac flotilla, and perhaps set fire to the city of Washington and retire withjimpunity, as she was represented to be totally invulucrable, This evening the wind sets in the other quarter. ‘A despacth from the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, G. V. Fox, now at Fortress Monroe, shows that the little iron-clad Ericsson gunboat Monitor, with r two guns, is more than @ match for the rebel iron monster that spread such consternation among our wooden ships at Newport's News Point yesterday. The despatch was received here at seven and a half o’clock. ‘The telegraph line te Fortress Monroe was completed at four o?clock to-day. ‘The despatch has created the wildest excitement in tho city, which has been still more inflamed by the intelli- gence that the rebels had burned the steamer Page in Aquia creek, set fire to their camp equipage, and aban- doned all their batteries along the Potomac. Our flotilla has landed forces and taken possession of the batteries, and the Stars and Stripes are now floating ever them. THE UNION VESSELS LOST. THE CUMBERLAND. ‘The Cumberland was a sloop-of-war of 1,725 tons Dorthen, and carried twenty-four guns. She was built in 1842 at the Charlestown Navy Yard, and was conse- quontly twenty years old. Sho. was lately attached to the Home squadron, and has done most effective service in helping to preserve the blockade. She was sunk, ac- cording to our advices, by being run down by the Merri- mac, What portion of her officers, if any, have been lost we have as yet reecived no positive information. ‘The following is the tast list of the officers that we have received — THE CONGRESS. ‘The Congress is one of the wooden frigates of the line. Sho was built at the Kittery Navy Yard in the year 1841, and is consequently twenty-one years old, She was of eighteen hundred and sixty-seven tons burthen and car. ried Ofty guns, Previous to her baving been placed on the blockading squadron she was in commission off the coast of Brazil, from which station she was recalled when the rebellion broke out. When she arrived ia August last, four of her officers acted in such # manner as to @ause them to be sent to Fort Lafayette. At last advices the vessel was under the charge of Commander Smith, ut whether any change has since taken place in the commander we have not yes learned. Our advices re- port that the vessel was surrendered after some beavy fighting. ‘The Minnesota is a screw frigate ef three thousand two hundred tona burthen, and carries forty guns of heavy calibre. She was built at Washington in the year 1866, and at the time when she was placed on her present station she had been for some time laid up in ordinary at Boston. Sho is the flag-ship of the North Atlantic squadron, and was stationed in Hampton Roads. The following is most recent list of her officers that wo have received: Commander and Flag Oficer.I.. M. Goldsborough. (Now absont with Gon. Burn- side in Pamlico Sound.) Lieutenant J.C, Howe! ‘Win, Gibson, Temporary Commander Second Licutenant, Colin Haverly. THE ST. LAWRENCE. The St, Lawrence is a first class frigate, carrying Afty- two guns, eight of which are sixty-eight pounders, forty” two thirty-two pounders, and two boat howitzers. She draws about twenty-five feet of water, and is une of the fastest sailers in the navy. The following is a correct list of the present officers of the St. Lawrence, numerous changes having been made since our last publication of the list:— Captain. . H, Y. Purviance, of Ma. First Liout, and Ex. Oificer.. William G, West, of N. ¥. Sur Robert Woodworth, of N. Y. Master... ‘Heary ¥. Pickings, of Penn. Assistant Surgeon: .Fdward A. Pierson, of N. J. ‘Acting Masters. 5 Acting Mastor's Mat Theoph, Grifith, ‘The St. Lawrence has rendered effective service during the present war, having taken several prizes and sunk the privateer Petrel, and capt her entire crew, ex- copting some nine persons, who were either killed or drowned, She is manned by five hundred brave fel- lows, who are eager fora fight. Her commander, Capt. . Y. Purviance, has been some forty years in the naval service, and is highly respected by all the officers and men of the ship, as he is by all people who are acquaint- ed with his merits as aman and an officer. Though from the doubdtfully loyal State of Maryland, Captain P. is known to be as true as steel in his love and loyalty to the Union and the old flag. THE ROANOKE. ‘The Roanoke is a steam screw frigate of 3,400 tons burthen, and carries forty guns. She was built at the Gosport Navy Yard in 1855. She has been lying at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, previous to the blockade, but has, like the others, been in active service ever since. Her oMcers at last advices were:— 'W. N. Jeffers, . 8. Fillebrown, R. W. Scott, D. Dodd. C. Spear, Hi. Linkham, . J. Cahoone, «Robert Given, . Bennet. B. Venable, W. Paul. SUrZOODS, .4044 seveeeerees A al. J. B. Chief Engineer. First Assistant Engineer....H. B. Nones. Second Assistant Engineers.R. A. Copeland, ‘Third Assistant Engineers. e5 in ineers..G. J. Buri W. H. G. West, A. Jackson, A. Hendricks. THE MYSTIC. ‘The Mystic ig a third class screw steamer, of four hun- dred and sixty-four tons burthen, and was built in the year 1858. She was purchased for the use of the navy, and her armament consisted of five guns. Previous toher ‘boing placed in the present squadron she was in eommis- sion on the coast of Africa, from which station she was brought home whon the present troubles conimenced. Her last received list of officors is as follows: Commander... . Arnold. First Lieutouant. .N. H. Farquahar. Acting Masters.... ++++-Rolando Coffin, ‘Samuel B. Meader, H. N. Blackiston, Acting Master’s Mates......G. B. Durand, Wm. R. Morton, Joseph B. Swett, Second Assistant Fngincer..John B. Lowell, ‘Third Assistant Engineers... H. B. Lovarie, G. W. Shank Jonn B. A. Alloa, J#i Assistant Surgeon..........Wm. F. Brown, THE IRON-CLAD GUNBOAT MONITOR, OR ERICSON BATTERY. ‘This fine war vessel has been described at length in this journal, but as everybody will naturally desire to know something about her, we will refresh the public memory with another brief description. The Monitor is also known as the Ericsson Battery, and was built upon a new and highly successful design, as has been proved in her fight with the Merrimac. This new gunboat is a long, wide and flat-bottomed vessel, with vertical sides and Pointed ends, requiring but a very shallow depth of water to float in, though heavily loaded with an improg- nable armor on her sides, and a bombproof deck, on which is placed a shotproof revoiving turret, that will contain two very heavy guns. She is 80 low in the water as to afford no target for an enemy, and everything and everybody is below tho water line, with the excep- tion of the persons working the guns, who are protected by the shotproof turret. To give the upper portion of the vessel the proper powers of locomotion, there is sus- pendod beneath it another one ef less strength, suffi- ciently narrow and sloping at the sides, that if the enemy’s balls should pasa below the shot-proof upper ‘vessel these sides can only be hit at such an angle that no harm shall ensue, and in its length approaching the bow only so far that its vaking stem may receive the shot fired from directly ahead in the same way, and at the stern giving sufficient space to permit the shot eoming from directly aft to pasa under the shotproof end with- out hitting the rudder, which is abaft the propelier. The sides of the vessel are first formed of plate iron, half an inch thick, outside of which is attached solid white oak twenty-six inches thick, outside of this again fs rolled fron armor five inches thick, The bomproof deck is supported by heavy braced oak beams, upon which is laid planking seven inches thick, covered with rolled plate iron one inch thick. ‘The turret consists of @ rolled plate irom skeleton, one Inch thick, to which aro rivetted two thicknesses, of one inch each, of relied iron plates. Outside of this again are six plates of rolled iron, all firmely bolted together with nuts inside, #0 that if «plate ie startet it can be at once tightened again. The top is covered with a bomd- proof roof perforated with holes. The lowor part of the gun carriages consists of solid wrought iron beams, ‘These are planned perfectly true, and are placed parallel in the turret, both of the guns pointing im the same direc- tion. The ports through the side of the tunnel are only large enough to permit the muzzle of the gun to be thrust through. Inside of thom are wrought iron pendulums, which close them against the enemy as soon asthe gua recoils, She is armed with two of the largest Dahlgren guns, made to revolve by @ pair of steam engines placed beneath the deck. ‘The lowor verse! is of iron, one-half inch thick, and made in the usual maaner. Sho carries her machinery» coal, &c., aft, and forward the officers’ quarters, ammu- nition, and stores. The two partitions of the vessel are separated by a wrought iron bulkhead, The officers quarters are very roomy and handsome, and are venti- sted and lighted by openings from the deck, Her {machinery consists of two horizontal tubular PRICE TWO CENTS. ‘The folowing is a table of the size of the different por. tons of the vosge!:— Length of upper Beam of upper vessel. Depth of upper vessel. Lougth of lower verse Beam of lower vessel Beam at bottom... as of jomey vessel Hoight of ny eee Diameter of pilot house. Height above deck... oe ‘The pilot house is only a few fect above the deck, the helmsman standing on @ platform"below it. This, with the turret, are the only things abeve the surface of the deck. ‘The trial trip, after the vessel had bean finished, was anxiously looked for, not only by the public, but by Captain Ericsson and Alban C, Stimers, Chief Rugineer United States Navy, together with Isaae Newton, First Assistant Engineer United States Navy. Under the care and superintendence of thage two last gentlemen the en- tive veesel and machinery were built. On Thursday the 26th of February, she left the Navy Yard, Brooklyn, on her first trial trip, but ber steering apparatus, not working satisfactorily, she put back to have the necessary alterations made, These were ar- ranged in a short time, and on the 3d instant she went om a trial trip to test her steering qualities; having on board a Commission composed of Commodore Gregory, Chiet Engineer Garvin and Naval Constructor Hart. She le’t tho Navy Yard at half-past ten o’clock in the mornirg, and proceeded down outside the Narrows, where her guns were fired and the verse] manwuvered, The Com- mission reported verbaliy to Commodore Paulding that they considered the boat very successful. One man steered her with perfect ease and facilliy’ She mae a complete revolution with the helm hard over in a space of three times her own length, the time re- quired being four minutes and three-quarters. It had ‘been feared by many navaloflicers that when the guns were fired the concussion within the turret would be too great for the men to bear; but it was found that, on the contrary, the concussion within was less than it was without the turret, nor was it at all severe upon the ear in any part when @ charge of cannister, weighing one hundred and thirty-five pounds, was fired with the full charge of fifteen pounds of powdor. Her speed by the chip-log was six and a quarter knots an houg, with sixty five revolutions of the engines. The boilers, being new and greasy, foamed so that the engines could not be worked up to their maximum speed. ‘The Commission expressed themselves agreably disr appointed in the performances of the vessel in every re- spect. The only difficulty they mentioned was that the iron pilot house affects the compass, but this can be easily adjusted. The officers of the Monitor are as follows :- [}idellllel? tevant Commanding... ... Liout, and Executive Officer.S. Acting Masters........0606+ ‘Acting Assistant Surgeon. First Assistant Enginee Second Assistant Engin Third Assistant Engineers. Acting Master's Mate. . ‘The Monitor left here last Thursday for Hampton Roads, SKETCH OF THE REBEL IRON-CLAD MEN-OF- WAR. TEE MERRIMAC. ‘The Merrimac, the iron plated steamer, was formerly the United States frigate of the same name, which was scuttled and sunk at the Norfolk Navy Yard, at the com- mencement of the rebellion, by the officers of the Union government, in preference to her falling into the hands of the rebels, She was built at Charlestown in 1865, ‘and was pierced for forty guus. Her last ser- vice had been im the Pasifio squadrom. After the rebels took possession of the yard she was raised converted into a man-of-war for their own . Her hull was cut down to withia three feet of her water mark, and a bomb-proof house built on her gundeck. She was also inon plated, and ber Dow and stern steel-clad, with a projecting angle of ircn for the purpose of piercing a vessel. She has no masts: and there is nothing to be scen over her gundeck, wh the exception of her pilot house and smokestack. Her Dombproof is three inches thick, and is made of wrought won, Her armament consists of four eleven-ineb Davy guns om each side, and two one bun- dred pounder Armstrong guns at the bow ané Stern. Last November she made a trial trip from Norfolk, running down so close to Fortress Monroe as to Be seen by the naked eye, but ventured no nearer. Although she was looked upon by the rebels asa very tough customer for a vessel or vessels not protected as she is, she remained inactive, anchered off Norfolk, unt} her prosent engagement. ‘The commandant of the French steamer, who arrived at Fortress Monroe from Norfolk on Friday last, states that the greatest excitement prevailed at Norfelk in expecta- tion of an attack and the destruction of the city by the Burnside expedition, and that the Merrimac was csowded with men, ready for action. THE ¥ORKTOWN. The rebel steamer Yorktown was formerly used on the New York and Virginia line of steamers. She is a side- wheel steamer of fourteen hundred tons burthen, and was built in New York in 1860. Her length is two hun- dred and fifty-one feet, breadth thirty-four feet and depth clghteen feet. She has been“tompletely fitted out at Norfolk, hor sides having been plated with iron,and other means taken to strengthen her and render her for- midable, She is commanded by Captain Parrish, the samo who eommanded her when she was more peaceably inclined, She carries eight guns—two pivot and six broadside guns. ‘THE JAMESTOWN. ‘The rebel steamer Jamestown was built in New York about the same time as the Yorktown, and was ateo cm" ployed in the New York and Virginia line of steamers, Bhe is a sidewheel steamer, about 1,500 tons bur: bes Bho was fitted out at the Norfolk Navy Yard at the com. mencement of the rebellion, her sides Raving been ireo plated. THE EVENT ANTICIPATED. the New York Henatp, Oot. 3, 1861.) ‘We have received information from Norfolk, by way of Fortress Monroe, of a most important character. It ap- pears that great preparations are being made by the rebel euthorities 2t Richmond, along the James and York rivers, and at Norfolk, for some purpose of an offtasive character. It ie their intention to send down the James and York rivers a strong body of treops, aceompanied by heavy ordnance, for the purpose of occupying Yorktows ‘and other positions on both rivers, and for siege opera- tions, Indeed, accounts have already been published of the arrival of troops and columbiads at Yorktown. They are also putting tho steamers Jamestown and Yorktown ia fighting condition. The Merrimac has been undergoing thorough repair, is nearly completed, i tron-eled, and powerfully armed. Two sailing which had becn sunk at the Navy Yard at Norfolk atthe tims of the evacuation by the Union forces, have been raised ‘and put upon a thorough war footing. It is also stated to be their purpose, when all this is ready, to throw @ large land force upon Newport News, with heavy artil- jery, at the same time the Merrimac and the two sailing ‘vossels are to leave Norfolk, and the two steamers James- town and Yorktown will come down the James river. ‘Tho rebel vessels-of-war are to engage the fleet while the army areattacking Newport News by land, preventing the aasistance expected from the Union vessels-ofwar, In case of any such attack, reaching the troops. If these plane dotiers, containing 3,000 square feet of fire surfage, and two horizontal condensing engines of forty inch diamoter of cylinders and twenty-two ineh atroke of piston. The propeller is nine fect in diameter and sixteen feet stroke Bay, the baso iporevagpds Aaycnmnscargl A be Mont can most effectively carry out its course 7 bela, however, intend ‘long the Fouthern coast. The otavy ons ‘ : it} Tt has four blades. to wait for such an opporsee be For the better ventilation of the vessel there are two Freee a ia will be at OF Point, and these they ex:, fan blowers drawing air down through bembproof this \@uvre soon to conquer, Doubtl se gratings in the deck. Though not exactly intended for a son vessel, sho can proceed to sea, or to any poiat along | gyro, the recent movements before «The rebele the coast, without fears of the least injury. She ear. | have found that the ae eee aitcan Fe ries gonerally three months’ provisions, and is supplied | capital; they Inve nee Or ne recent equinoetial tomac river with @ condensing apparatus for supplying fresh wator, ‘torms and Creshets, aud the prosence of General Banka’ Aa an evidence of the rapidity with which this vessel column, nor can they. eal ‘cross into Mai bop has been completed, we may state that her keel was Jaid | Aquie Crook. They saopted ‘attack, as it would doubtiess sivieg ‘them a maoro probable chance of of Washington, and also checking the government along the Southern on the 26th of October, 1861, and steam was first applied on the 8ist of December the same year, She was launch. od on the 30th of January last.