710
THE FIRST FIGHT OF I RON-CLADS.
would have been the certain loss of tlie vessel. On the other hand, the pilotssaid repeatedly, if the ship were lightened to eighteen feet, they could take herup James River to Harrison’s Landing or City Point, where she could have beenput in fighting trim again, and have been in a position to assist in the defenseof Richmond . The commodore decided upon this course. Calling all hands on
deck, he told them what he wished done.Sharp and quick work was necessary;for, to be successful, the ship must belightened five feet, and we must pass thebatteries at Newport News and the fleetbelow before daylight next morning.The crew gave three cheers, and went towork with a will, throwing overboard theballast from the fan-tails, as well as thatbelow,—all spare stores, water, indeedeverything but our powder and shot.By midnight the ship had been light-ened three feet, when, to our amaze-ment, the pilots said it was useless todo more, that with the westerly windblowing, the tide would be cut down sothat the ship would not go up even toJamestown Flats : indeed, they wouldnot take the responsibility of taking herup the river at all. This extraordinaryconduct of the pilots rendered some other plan immediately necessary.Moral: All officers, as far as possible, should learn to do their own piloting.
The ship had been so lifted as to be unfit for action; two feet of her hullbelow the shield was exposed. She could not be sunk again by letting inwater without putting out the furnace fires and flooding the magazines.Never was a commander forced by circumstances over which he had nocontrol into a more painful position than was Commodore Tattnall. Butcoolly and calmly he decided, and gave orders to destroy the ship; deter-mining if he could not save his vessel, at all events not to sacrifice threehundred brave and faithful men; and that he acted wisely, the fight at Drew-ry’s Bluff, which was the salvation of Richmond , soon after proved. She wasrun ashore near Craney Island, and the crew landed with their small-armsand two days’ provisions. Having only two boats, it took three hours to dis-embark. Lieutenant Catesby Jones and myself were the last to leave. Set-ting her on fire fore and aft, she was soon in a blaze, and by the light ofour burning ship we pulled for the shore, landing at daybreak. We marched22 miles to Suffolk and took the cars for Richmond .
The news of the destruction of the Virginia caused a most profound feelingof disappointment and indignation throughout the South, particularly as somuch was expected of the ship after our first success. On Commodore Tattnallthe most unsparing and cruel aspersions were cast. He promptly demanded
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