After the great success of the “Merrimac” in Hampton Roads, the Confederates determined12 to construct a vessel13 of similar design for use in the Southern rivers and sounds. Under great difficulties they built the “Albemarle” on the Roanoke River, and carried her into action almost before the last rivet14 was driven. She was a formidable craft in those days, and the shots from the vessels15 of the Northern fleet went harmlessly against her iron sides to break and fly into a thousand pieces. On the 5th of May the “Albemarle” had another fight with a larger fleet of union vessels, which had gathered to hem3 in and disable her. During the action the “Sassacus” saw an opportunity to ram16 her, and, going ahead at full speed, struck the ram a terrific blow amidships. The bow of the “Sassacus” was literally17 torn to pieces by the impact, and the “Albemarle,” though heeling over and in[160] danger of sinking for a time, finally righted and pulled out of the action uninjured, but by no means disabled. All of the vessels of the squadron kept up a heavy fire upon her, but she went on to her anchorage up the river, where a few repairs made her as good as ever.
It looked to the unionists as though the story of the “Merrimac” with the “Congress” and the “Cumberland” was about to be repeated; that the “Albemarle” in course of time would come down at her leisure and destroy all Northern vessels in those waters. To make matters worse, the unionists learned that another vessel of a similar type was nearly completed, and that the two vessels would attack at the same time,—a combination which, with their consorts18, seemed irresistible19. Something had to be done if the command of the sounds of the Carolinas was to remain with the navy of the North.
But during the summer of 1864 two steam launches rigged up as torpedo-boats, the invention of Engineer J. L. Long, were fitted out at New York and brought down through the canals to Albemarle Sound. The bows of the boats were cut under and decked over, and the engines were so built that when covered and moving at a low rate of speed they made little or no noise. A spar ten or fifteen[161] feet long, which carried a torpedo and a firing attachment20, projected forward over the bow, and a small howitzer was also mounted forward where it would be useful to repel21 attack.
The government had decided22 to make a night attempt on the “Albemarle,” and the honor of the command of the expedition was bestowed23 on Lieutenant Cushing, who had half a dozen times before received the thanks of the secretary of the navy for gallantry in action off Cape9 Fear River.
The expedition was favored by the inactivity of the Confederates. The “Albemarle” lay alongside the dock at Plymouth awaiting the completion of her sister-ship, but this needless delay gave Cushing the opportunity he wanted.
The Confederates were fully24 aware of the plans of the unionist’s navy, and a thousand soldiers remained to guard the “Albemarle” from land attack as well as to act as sentries25 for a distance along the river bank. To provide against torpedoes26, a line of great cypress27 logs was boomed off her sides at a distance of twenty to thirty feet, so that it seemed impossible to come within striking distance. Besides this, the smaller guns of the ram were trained up and down the river,—which here was but one hundred and fifty yards wide,—to sweep[162] the entire area over which the attacking party had to pass.
But Cushing, like Decatur, rejoiced at obstacles. He was only twenty-one, but he carried a man’s head on his broad shoulders, and the planning of such an expedition down to the smallest detail was a task which he entered into with judgment28 and enthusiasm, ingredients as rare as they are necessary in such a desperate enterprise.
After a week spent in preparation and experiment, the gunboat “Otsego” brought the launch to the mouth of the river, where Cushing cast off and pointed29 his bow toward Plymouth, towing a cutter full of armed men, who were to capture, if possible, a Confederate guard,—which had been set in a schooner30 near the sunken “Southfield,”—to prevent their giving the alarm. But the expedition started badly, for the launch ran aground on a bar. Before Cushing could float her again it was too late to make the attempt. Cushing and his boat’s crews then returned to the “Otsego.”
The next night was black and squally, with occasional showers of rain. They could only make out the loom31 of the shore by straining their eyes into the darkness. Cushing was as cool as though taking shore-liberty. As he[163] shook hands with the “Otsego’s” officers he paused at the gangway to say, with a laugh,—
“Well, here goes for another stripe or a coffin32.”
They crept slowly up the river, keeping close to the bank, under the shadow of the reeds and trees. The little engine, covered with tarpaulins33, made so little sound that the men in the cutter towing astern could hardly hear it. There was not a sound except the plashing of the gusts34 of rain and the ripple35 of the water as the little craft moved steadily36 on. Cushing knew he must be passing some of the pickets37 now, so not a word even in whispers was spoken. Every man had his duty and knew when to do it. Acting38 Ensign William Howarth was aft at Cushing’s side. Acting Master’s Mate John Woodman, who knew the river, was next to him. The other officers were Acting Master’s Mate Thomas S. Gay, Acting Assistant-Paymaster Francis H. Swan, and Acting Third-Assistant-Engineers Charles L. Steever and William Stotesbury.
By half-past two A.M., about a mile below Plymouth, where the “Albemarle” lay, they came upon the submerged “Southfield,” and could just make out the lines of the guard-schooner. The machinery39 of the launch was slowed, almost stopped, for Cushing had decided[164] to get by her if he could without a fight. It was a moment of utmost anxiety, and every man was prepared for the attack. But there was no sign of discovery from the schooners40, and in ten minutes the little expedition had passed up the river in safety.
But only the first danger of discovery was over. Between the “Southfield” and Plymouth the bank was guarded by a double line of sentries, and the men in the boats, now moving more quickly, could see the red glare of the smouldering fires reaching all the way to town. As they came to the point beyond which the ram was lying, they found, to their delight, that the fires which should have been brightly burning were smouldering in the rain. There was no sign of a man to be made out anywhere, and Cushing pushed on directly for the “Albemarle,” which he could now see plainly as she lay at the wharf41, grim and menacing, but without a sign of life.
Suddenly from the shore there came the sharp bark of a dog. To the ears of Cushing and his men in the deep silence and anxiety of the moment it sounded like the report of a Dahlgren. There was a cry from a sentry42 and a challenge, followed by a musket-shot, and the bullet flew over the boats and struck the water fifty feet away with a vicious ping that[165] sounded not less loud than the report itself. There was another challenge, and in a moment the cries came from everywhere. Other dogs began barking, and it seemed as though the whole town was aroused. The sentries on both sides of the stream threw inflammable material on the smouldering fires, and in a moment the river was as bright as day.
Realizing that further concealment43 was useless, Cushing himself cast off the towline of the cutter, and telling the men in her to row for their lives, gave the engineer the order, “Four bells, ahead full speed,” setting the nose of the launch directly for the ram. The sparks flew up from her stack, and the dark water churned up in masses of foam44 under her stern, as like a sentient45 thing she leaped forward on her deadly mission. It was then that Cushing discovered for the first time the line of torpedo booms which guarded the ram. In facing the musketry-fire and the great guns of their enormous adversary46 the task of getting close enough to reach her seemed impossible.
Cushing knew that if he was to get over the log booms he must strike them fair; then perhaps he could slide over within striking distance. He shifted his helm, and making a wide sweep out into the stream, gathered all the headway he could and came down into the[166] very jaws47 of the great monster. A tremendous volley from the shot-guns and muskets48 of the sentries greeted them, and Paymaster Swan was wounded. Cushing received a charge of buckshot in the back of his coat and had the sole of his shoe torn off, but these were the only shots which took effect.
Cushing here shouted, in a loud voice, “Leave the ram; we’re going to blow you up!” hoping to create a panic. But the Confederates continued firing, and succeeded in getting in two howitzer-shots, one of which felled a man by Cushing’s side. At this moment, Gay, up forward in the launch, took careful aim with the howitzer, and sent a charge in the midst of the Confederate crew. Then with a slight jar the sled-like bow rose on the boom. She balanced a second, and slid over within the enclosure, half full of water, but within reaching distance.
One of the great guns of the “Albemarle,” a hundred-pounder, protruded49 from a broadside port directly in front of them, and they could see the gun-crew frantically50 training the gun and trying to depress the muzzle51 enough to bear on them. It was a matter of seconds now. Who would fire first? Cushing had lowered the torpedo-spar, and as soon as he had it well under the overhang he detached it,[167] then waited until he heard the torpedo strike the hull52, when he pulled the trigger-line. He was not a fraction of a second too soon, for the two concussions53 were almost simultaneous. There was a muffled54 roar from below the great vessel, and a column of water shot out from under her as she lifted on the wave. The shock of the hundred-pounder was terrific, and it seemed as if the frail55 launch had been blown to pieces. But Cushing had been too quick for them. The charge of canister passed a few feet over their heads and scattered56 in the river beyond.
The work of the gallant2 crew was done. Cushing had made a hole in the “Albemarle” large enough to have driven a wagon57 through. The great wave of the torpedo rose and went completely over the launch, swamping her alongside and throwing her men into the water. All of them got to the booms safely. Here Cushing paused a moment to throw off his outer clothing, while the Confederates on the banks were shouting to the men to surrender. Several of them, being unable to swim, did so; but Cushing, calling to the others to follow him, plunged58 boldly into the water and struck off down the stream. He was a powerful swimmer, but the night was cold, and he knew that he could not keep up very long. But he[168] swam for half an hour, and he came upon Woodman in the middle of the stream, almost exhausted59. Though almost entirely60 fagged out himself, he tried to help the mate towards the shore. Finding that he was being pulled down and unable to save the other, Cushing struggled on, and reached the shoal water more dead than alive. Here he lay among the reeds until dawn, when he learned from a negro how complete had been his success. At last, after almost twenty-four hours’ exposure, he succeeded in finding one of the enemy’s deserted61 picket-skiffs, and managed under cover of the second night to pull off to the Federal “Valley City,” which he reached at eleven o’clock at night, and was hauled aboard completely exhausted from his labor62 and exposure. Only one other of his crew reached a place of safety. Woodman and Samuel Higgins, the fireman, were drowned. The others went ashore63 and surrendered or were captured.
This service, because of the great benefit to the union cause and the daring manner in which it had been performed, made Cushing the hero of the year. Congress passed a vote of thanks and promoted him to the rank of lieutenant-commander, which he held until 1872, when he became a commander.
He did not long enjoy his honors, for two[169] years later he died of brain fever, in Washington, at the age of thirty-two. Had he lived he would have been but fifty-six years of age at the outbreak of the war with Spain, and would have been one of the ranking officers in active service of the new navy.
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1
conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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2
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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hem
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| n.贴边，镶边；vt.缝贴边；(in)包围，限制 | |
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4
torpedo
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| n.水雷，地雷；v.用鱼雷破坏 | |
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lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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6
naval
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| adj.海军的，军舰的，船的 | |
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7
sentimental
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| adj.多愁善感的，感伤的 | |
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8
hazardous
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| adj.(有)危险的，冒险的；碰运气的 | |
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9
cape
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| n.海角，岬；披肩，短披风 | |
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10
imprisonment
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| n.关押，监禁，坐牢 | |
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11
seaports
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| n.海港( seaport的名词复数 ) | |
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12
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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13
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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rivet
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| n.铆钉；vt.铆接，铆牢；集中(目光或注意力) | |
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15
vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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16
ram
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| (random access memory)随机存取存储器 | |
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literally
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| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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18
consorts
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| n.配偶( consort的名词复数 )；（演奏古典音乐的）一组乐师；一组古典乐器；一起v.结伴( consort的第三人称单数 )；交往；相称；调和 | |
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19
irresistible
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| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
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20
attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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21
repel
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| v.击退，抵制，拒绝，排斥 | |
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22
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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23
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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24
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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25
sentries
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| 哨兵，步兵( sentry的名词复数 ) | |
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26
torpedoes
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| 鱼雷( torpedo的名词复数 )； 油井爆破筒； 刺客； 掼炮 | |
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27
cypress
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| n.柏树 | |
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28
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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29
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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30
schooner
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| n.纵帆船 | |
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31
loom
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| n.织布机，织机；v.隐现，(危险、忧虑等)迫近 | |
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32
coffin
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| n.棺材，灵柩 | |
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33
tarpaulins
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| n.防水帆布，防水帆布罩( tarpaulin的名词复数 ) | |
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34
gusts
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| 一阵强风( gust的名词复数 )； （怒、笑等的）爆发； （感情的）迸发； 发作 | |
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35
ripple
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| n.涟波，涟漪，波纹，粗钢梳；vt.使...起涟漪，使起波纹； vi.呈波浪状，起伏前进 | |
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36
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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pickets
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| 罢工纠察员( picket的名词复数 ) | |
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38
acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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39
machinery
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| n.(总称)机械，机器；机构 | |
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40
schooners
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| n.（有两个以上桅杆的）纵帆船( schooner的名词复数 ) | |
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41
wharf
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| n.码头，停泊处 | |
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42
sentry
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| n.哨兵，警卫 | |
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43
concealment
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| n.隐藏, 掩盖，隐瞒 | |
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44
foam
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| v./n.泡沫，起泡沫 | |
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45
sentient
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| adj.有知觉的，知悉的；adv.有感觉能力地 | |
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46
adversary
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| adj.敌手，对手 | |
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47
jaws
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| n.口部；嘴 | |
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48
muskets
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| n.火枪，（尤指）滑膛枪( musket的名词复数 ) | |
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49
protruded
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| v.（使某物）伸出，（使某物）突出( protrude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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50
frantically
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| ad.发狂地, 发疯地 | |
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51
muzzle
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| n.鼻口部；口套；枪(炮)口；vt.使缄默 | |
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52
hull
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| n.船身；(果、实等的)外壳；vt.去(谷物等)壳 | |
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53
concussions
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| n.震荡( concussion的名词复数 )；脑震荡；冲击；震动 | |
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54
muffled
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| adj.（声音）被隔的；听不太清的；（衣服）裹严的；蒙住的v.压抑，捂住( muffle的过去式和过去分词 )；用厚厚的衣帽包着（自己） | |
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55
frail
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| adj.身体虚弱的；易损坏的 | |
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56
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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57
wagon
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| n.四轮马车，手推车，面包车；无盖运货列车 | |
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58
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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59
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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60
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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61
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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62
labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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63
ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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