Sinking Chronology from First-hand Accounts

Bankhead From his report to Acting Rear-Admiral S.P. Lee, Commanding North Atlantic Blockading Squadron from the U.S.S. RHODE ISLAND, January 1, 1863

29 December 1862

Rhode Island Log: At anchor off Fortress Monroe. From 4 to 8 a.m. received on board two boats from the U.S.S. Monitor. From 8 to meridian took a hawser to the Monitor.

2:30 p.m.

John Bankhead: The Monitor left Hampton Roads in tow of the U.S.S. Rhode Island, wind light at S.W., weather clear and pleasant, and every prospect of its continuation.

Rhode Island Log: At 2:30 p.m. got underway and steamed down the harbor, Monitor in tow, in charge of John H. Bean, pilot.

Gilbert Webber, surgeon, USS Rhode Island: Monday Dec. 29th. My dear Nannie. We are at last under weigh. We have just left Hampton Roads I wanted to say a few words more & let you know that we have started. In my next will tell you how many vessels accompany us & tho' I suppose you may learn it from the papers even before you receive this. As to where we are going not even the papers know.

George Geer: We started from Hampton Roads on Monday, about 2 oclock PM in Tow of the side wheel Steamer Rhode Island. We ware secured to her by two Hawsers, one them about as large as your legg and the other very little smaller. I was told by Mr. Green, the first Left, and the Chief Engineer to put the Hatches on, and if poseable get them tight. I put them on with Red Lead putty, and and the Port Holes I made Rubber Gaskets one inch thick and in fat had every thing about the ship in the way of an opening water tight. Around and under the Tower the Captain had Oakum put, but did not put any Pitch over it and the sea soon washed the Oakum out and the Water came under the Tower and down on the Berth Deck in Torents. But our pumps were sufficent to keep the ship free without using any of the extra or large Pumps.

William Keeler: We left Hampton Roads Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock in tow of the side wheel gun boat Rhode Island. We were attached to her by means of two large hawsers, one 11 inches, the other 15 inches in circumference and from 250 to 300 feet in length. Everything passed quietly & pleasantly that afternoon & evening; a smooth sea & clear skies seemed to promise a successful termination of our trip & an opportunity of once more trying our metal against rebel works & making the "Little Monitor" once again a household word.

Grenville Weeks: The turret and sight-holes were calked, and every possible, entrance for water made secure, only the smallest openings being left in the turret-top, and the blower-stacks, through which the ship was ventilated. On the afternoon of December 29, 1862, she put on steam, and, in tow of the Rhode Island, passed the fort, and out to sea under sealed orders.

6:00 p.m.

John Bankhead: Passed Cape Henry at 6 p.m., water smooth and everything working well.

Rhode Island Log: At 5:40 p.m. Cape Henry bore W., distance 4 miles.

30 December 1862

5:00 a.m.

John Bankhead: We began to experience a swell from the southward with a slight increase of the wind from the S.W., the sea breaking over the pilot house forward and striking the base of the tower, but not with sufficient force to break over it. Found that the packing of oakum under and around the base of the tower had loosened somewhat from the working of the tower as the vessel pitched and rolled. Speed at this time about 5 knots; ascertained from the engineer of the watch that the bilge pumps kept her perfectly free, occasionally sucking. Felt no apprehension at the time.

Rhode Island Log: At 6:40 a.m. the Monitor made signal to stop. Stopped the engine for them to pass anew our hawser. Sounded in 20 fathoms. At 7:30 a.m. proceeded on our course.

William Keeler: Tuesday morning cloud banks were seen rising in the South & West & they gradually increased till the sun was obscured by their cold grey mantle. The wind which in the morning was quite light continued to increase till the middle of the afternoon when it blew quite heavy, the sea rolling with violence across our deck rendering it impossible to remain on it without danger of being swept off.

We amused ourselves for an hour or more by watching two or three large sharks who glided quietly along by our sides observing us apparently with a curious eye as if in anticipation of a feast. We made no water of consequence; a little trickled down about the pilot house & some began to find its way under the turret rendering it wet & cheerless below.

George Geer: Every thing went along finely untill Thursday, about noon, when it commenced to Cloud up and looked as though we would have a rough time before long. Soon the sea commenced to break over us and wash up against the Tower with a fearfull rush, and the sea was white with foam, but I was satisfide she would stand it out unless the storm should increase.

Grenville Weeks: As the afternoon advanced, the freshening wind, the thickening clouds, and the increasing roll of the sea gave those most accustomed to ordinary ship-life some new experiences. The little vessel plunged through the rising waves, instead of riding them, and, as they increased in violence, lay, as it were, under their crests, which washed over her continually, so that, even when we considered ourselves safe, the appearance was that of a vessel sinking.

"I'd rather go to sea in a diving-bell!" said one, as the waves dashed over the pilot-house, and the little craft seemed buried in water.

"Give me an oyster-scow!" cried another,--"anything!--only let it be wood, and something that will float over, instead of under the water!"

Stephen Trenchard, Commander, USS Rhode Island: At 1 p.m. of the 30th made Cape Hatteras light house, bearing W.S.W., 14 miles distant.

George Geer: About 4 oclock we were in sight of Hatras Light House and I thought as soon as we got past the cape it would clear up.

Rhode Island Log: At 4:30 p.m. Cape Hatteras bore N.W. by W., distant 16 miles.

William Keeler: At 5 o'clock p.m. we sat down to dinner, every one cheerful & happy & though the sea was rolling & foaming over our heads the laugh & jest passed freely ' round; all rejoicing that at last our monotonous, inactive life had ended & the "gallant little Monitor" would soon add fresh laurels to her name.

Trenchard: At sunset, when 17 miles S.E. of Cape Hatteras, made the steamer State of Georgia, with the Passaic in tow, to the northward and eastward of us, the wind being light at the time from southward and westward, with indications of good weather.

6:00 p.m.

John Bankhead: Toward evening the swell somewhat decreased, the bilge pumps being found amply sufficient to keep her clear of the water that penetrated through the sight holes of the pilot house, hawse hole, and base of tower (all of which had been well calked previous to leaving).

William Keeler: It was dark when I returned to the top of the turret. We were now off Hatteras, the Cape Horn of our Atlantic coast. The wind was blowing violently; the heavy seas rolled over our bows dashing against the pilot house & surging aft, would strike the solid turret with a force to make it tremble, sending off on either side a boiling, foaming torrent of water.

George Geer: But no, it commenced to blow harder, and by 6 oclock I was satisfide we could not save her, as every time she rased on a sea she would come down very heavy on her over-reaching sides and her bottom would shiver like a leaf, and I made up my mind she would not stand that long before her bottom would give away.

Grenville Weeks: Still she plunged on, and about six thirty P.M. we made Cape Hatteras; in half an hour we had rounded the point, and many on board expressed regret that the Monitor should not have been before the Passaic in doing so. Our spy-glasses were in constant use; we saw several vessels in the distance, and about seven P.M. discovered the Passaic four or five miles astern_ to the north of us, in tow of the steamer State of Georgia.

A general hurrah went up,--"Hurrah for the first iron-clad that ever rounded Cape Hatteras! Hurrah for the little boat that is first in everything!" The distance between ourselves and the Passaic widened, and we gradually lost sight of her.

At half-past seven a heavy shower fell, lasting about twenty minutes. At this time the gale increased; black, heavy clouds covered the sky, through which the moon glimmered fitfully, allowing us to see in the distance a long line of white, plunging foam, rushing towards us,--sure indication, to a sailor's eye, of a stormy time.

A gloom overhung everything; the banks of cloud seemed to settle around us; the moan of the ocean grew louder and more fearful. Still our little boat pushed doggedly on: victorious through all, we thought that here, too, she would conquer, though the beating waves sent shudders through her whole frame. Bearing still the marks of one of the fiercest battles of the war, we had grown to think her invulnerable to any assault of man or element, and as she breasted these huge waves, plunging through one only to meet another more mighty, we thought,--"She is stanch! she will weather it!"

7:30 p.m.

John Bankhead: The wind hauled more to the south, increasing in strength and causing the sea to rise; computed position at this time about 15 miles south of Cape Hatteras Shoals. Found the vessel towed badly, yawing very much, and with the increased motion making somewhat more water around the base of the tower. Ordered engineer to put on the Worthington pump and bilge injection and get the centrifugal pump ready and report to me immediately if he perceived any increase of the water.

William Keeler: Word came from the engine room that we were making water, more than the ordinary pumps (which had been kept working) would throw out; it sounded ominously.

Orders were given to start the Worthington pump, which for a time kept the water down, but again the report, "the water is gaining on us, Sir."

As a last resort the large centrifugal pump, of a capacity of three thousand gallons per minute, was started & once more the water diminished, but it was of short duration.

Grenville Weeks: An hour passed; the air below, which had all day been increasing in closeness, was now almost stifling, but our men lost no courage. Some sang as they worked, and the cadence of the voices, mingling with the roar of waters, sounded like a defiance to Ocean.

Some stationed themselves on top of the turret, and a general enthusiasm filled all breasts, as huge waves, twenty feet high, rose up on all sides, hung suspended for a moment like jaws open to devour, and then, breaking, gnashed over in foam from side to side. Those of us new to the sea, and not appreciating our peril, hurrahed for the largest wave; but the captain and one or two others, old sailors, knowing its power, grew momentarily more and more anxious, feeling, with a dread instinctive to the sailor, that, in case of extremity, no wreck yet known to ocean could be so hopeless as this. Solid iron from keelson to turret-top, clinging to anything for safety, if the Monitor should go down, would only insure a share in her fate. No mast, no spar, no floating thing, to meet the outstretched hand in the last moment.

8:00 p.m.

John Bankhead: The sea about this time commenced to rise very rapidly, causing the vessel to plunge heavily, completely submerging the pilot house and washing over and into the turret and at times into the blower pipes. Observed that when she rose to the swell, the flat under surface of the projecting armor would come down with great force, causing a considerable shock to the vessel and turret, thereby loosening still more the packing around its base.

William Keeler: The opening through which the water was rushing was rapidly enlarged by the constant beating of the sea, which was now at times rolling over the top of the turret. Again came the report that the water was gaining & had risen above the engine room floor.

It was the death knell of the Monitor. The storm continued to increase in fury.

Trenchard: Between 8 and 9 p.m. the wind freshened, hauling more to the southward, and attended with rainy and squally weather.

William Keeler: As we were unable to carry our boats at sea they had been sent on board the Rhode Island & nothing whatever remained to support us in the water, were we obliged to trust ourselves to the treacherous element.

But our brave little craft struggled long & well. Now her bow would rise on a huge billow & before she could sink into the intervening hollow, the succeeding wave would strike her under her heavy armour with a report like thunder & a violence that threatened to tear apart the thin sheet iron bottom & the heavy armour which it supported.

Then she would slide down a watery mountain into the hollow beyond & plunging her bow into the black rolling billow would go down, down, down, under the surging wave till naught could be seen but the top of the black "cheese box" isolated in a sea of hissing, seething foam, extending as far as we could see around us. Then as she rose slowly & sullently under the accumulated weight of waters, the foam pouring in broad sheets off the iron deck, a wave would roll over the bow & strike the pilot house with a force that would send the water in torrents on to the top of the turret, where our little company were gathered.

Rhode Island Log: At 8:45 p.m. Cape Hatteras light bore N.W., distant 20 miles.

William Keeler: About this time too it was found our smaller hawser had parted; a disaster which no human agency could remedy; as well might one stand under Niagara, as to attempt to breast the waves which were rolling over our decks.

It was with the greatest reluctance that our Captain now gave the order to make the signal for assistance.

Every pump was at work & gangs of men had been organized to bail, more however with the design of keeping them employed & preventing a panic, than with the hope of any good result. The water was already a foot deep on the engine room floor & was fast deepening in the Ward Room. From its rapid influx it was very evident that but a short time would elapse before it would reach the fires & then the iron heart of the Monitor would cease to beat.

John Bankhead: Signalized several times to the Rhode Island to stop, in order that I might ascertain if by so doing she would ride easier or decrease the influx of water, but could perceive no difference, the vessel falling off immediately into the trough of the sea and rolling heavily.. The engineer at this time reported that it would be necessary to start the centrifugal pump, as the others failed to keep the water under. Ordered him to do so immediately and report to me the effect.

Sea continued to rise, the vessel striking heavily forward. The engineer reported that the pumps were all working well, but produced no effect upon the water, which, by this time, had risen several inches above the level of the engine-room floor.

Grenville Weeks: The sea, like the old-world giant, gathered force from each attack. Thick and fast came the blows on the iron mail of the Monitor, and still the brave little vessel held her own, until, at half-past eight, the engineer, Waters, faithful to the end, reported a leak. The pumps were instantly set in motion, and we watched their progress with an intense interest. She had seemed to us like an old-time knight in armor, battling against fearful odds, but still holding his ground. We who watched, when the blow came which made the strong man reel and the life-blood spout, felt our hearts faint within us; then again ground was gained, and the fight went on, the water lowering somewhat under the laboring pumps.

Trenchard: At 9 p.m. the Monitor made signals to stop. We stopped the engines, starting them again soon after. During the interval the Monitor appeared to be lying in the trough of the sea, laboring heavily, the sea making a complete breach over her. The steamer was then brought head to wind and sea, under easy steam, and the Monitor rode much easier and made better weather.

Rhode Island Log: At 9 p.m. the Monitor made signal to stop. At 9:15 p.m. proceeded slow.

George Geer: About 9 oclock I went to Mr. Hands, the Engineer, and asked him if I had not bettor get the Large steam Pump ready in cse we should need it, but he thought we would not need it. But Mr. Waters, our Chief (who took Mr. Campbell's place when we sent him to the Hospital) stood by and herd our Conversation and told me to go and get it ready. It took 15 or 20 moments to get the Hose attached, and Waters stood by untill I had it ready to start. He then told me to take charge of it and stay all the time if I had orders to start it. I then went and looked in t the Bilge and saw she was making water faster than the Pumps on the Engine discharged it, so I went on top of the Tower and reported it to the Captain. He told me to go down and start the big Steam Pump. I done so, and the Pump threw a stream as large as your body, and for about one hour the Water did not gain. Nor did we gain on it much.

Grenville Weeks: At ten the engineer had reported the leak as gaining on us; at half-past ten, with several pumps in constant motion, one of which threw out three thousand gallons a minute, the water was rising rapidly, and nearing the fires. When these were reached, the vessel's doom was sealed; for with their extinction the pumps must cease, and all hope of keeping the Monitor above water more than an hour or two expire. Our knight had received his death-blow, and lay struggling and helpless under the power of a stronger than he.

10:30 p.m.

John Bankhead: Having given the pumps a fair trial and finding the water gaining rapidly upon us, I determined to make the preconcerted signal of distress, which was immediately answered by the Rhode Island. I ranged up close to her and reported that the water was gaining rapidly upon us, and requested her commander to send boats to take off the crew.

Trenchard: About two hours afterwards (11 p.m.), when about 20 miles S.S.W. of Cape Hatteras, Commander Bankhead made signals for assistance, and upon hailing we learned the Monitor was in a sinking condition. We lowered our launch and first cutter without delay, and commenced getting her crew on board.

Rhode Island Log: At 11 p.m. she made signal of distress. Stopped and hailed her, and was informed that she was in a sinking condition. Called all hands and cleared away the boats. Lowered launch and first cutter.

William Keeler: At the order our signal flashed upon the darkness, lighting up the tumultuous sea for miles around. Our consort stopped & attempted to come alongside, but with the two vessels connected with the hawser it was found impossible.

John Bankhead: Finding that the heavy stream cable used to tow the Monitor rendered the vessel unmanageable while hanging slack to her bow, and being under the absolute necessity of working the engines to keep the pumps going, I ordered it to be cut, and ran down close under the lee of the Rhode Island, and times almost touching her. Water continued to gain upon the pumps and was now above the ash pits.

Grenville Weeks: The Monitor had been attached to the Rhode Island by two hawsers, one of which had parted at about seven P.M. The other remained firm, but now it was necessary it should be cut. How was that possible, when every wave washed clean over her deck↓ what man could reach it alive↓ "Who'll cut the hawser↓" shouted Captain Bankhead. Acting-Master Stodder volunteered, and was followed by another. Holding by one hand to the ropes at her side, they cut through, by many blows of the hatchet, the immense rope which united the vessels. Stodder returned in safety, but his brave companion was washed over and went down.

William Keeler: At the call for a volunteer to go forward & cut it [the hawser] (a task involving almost certain destruction), one of our officers seized a hatchet & going cautiously forward holing on the life line, which was stretched around the deck, with a few blows severed the connection while the waves were rolling high over his head & returned in safety to the turret.
We hailed our consort as soon as sufficiently near, "Send your boats immediately, we are sinking."

Grenville Weeks: A consultation was held, and, not without a conflict of feeling, it was decided that signals of distress should be made. Ocean claimed our little vessel, and her trembling frame and failing fire proved she would soon answer his call; yet a pang went through us, as we thought of the first iron-clad lying alone at the bottom of this stormy sea, her guns silenced, herself a useless mass of metal. Each quiver of her strong frame seemed to plead with us not to abandon her. The work she had done, the work she was to do, rose before us; might there not be a possibility of saving her yet↓--her time could not have come so soon. We seemed to hear a voice from her saying,--"Save me, for once I have saved you! My frame is stanch still; my guns may again silence the roar of Rebel batteries. The night will pass, and calm come to us once more. Save me!" The roar of Ocean drowned her voice, and we who descended for a moment to the cabin knew, by the rising water through which we waded, that the end was near.

John Bankhead: Two boats reached us from the Rhode Island, when I ordered Lieutenant Greene to put as many men into them as they would safely carry. While getting the men into the boats (a very dangerous operation caused by the heavy sea breaking entirely over the deck), the vessels touched slightly, nearly crushing the boat and endangering the Rhode Island herself, as our sharp bow and sides would undoubtedly have stove her near the water's edge had she struck upon us heavily.

George Geer: about 11oclock the Water rose very fast and I was satisfide it was all up with her. I staid by the Pump untill the water was up to my knees and the Cylinders to the Pumping Engines were under Water and stoped. She was so full of Water and roled and pitched so bad I was fearfull she would role under and forget to come up again. There was not over 15 of us below at this time, and I went on top of the Tower and found that the boats from the R.I. was taking us off.

I can tell you , it looked rather serious to attempt to get in the Boat, but I knew I mint as well be drowned trying to reach the Boats as to go down in the Monitor, so I jumped off the Tower and made for the Boat. A wave struck me and washed me acrost the Deck. I caught the Ridge roap, but some body side of me was swep over board and drowned. I started again as soon as the Wave had passed over, and this time reached the Boat and was Saved, and I can tell you I would not like to try it over again. It is as clost as I care to risking my life.

Trenchard: While so engaged the monitor ranged upon our port quarter, staving in the launch, and to prevent a serious collision, by which the Rhode Island would have been badly injured, it was necessary to forge the steamer ahead a little. While under our quarter ropes were thrown on board the Monitor, but so reluctant did the crew appear to leave their vessel that they did not take advantage of this opportunity to save themselves.

Rhode Island Log: Launch was badly stove by being caught between the Monitor and Rhode Island, but succeeded in bringing off one load of men. Started with her the second time, but she became unmanageable, being half full of water, and was forced to return. The first cutter made two trips, bringing off about twenty more. The port hawser parted and the starboard was cut on board of the Monitor.

John Bankhead: The Rhode Island steamed slightly ahead and the vessels separated a short distance.

Trenchard: The vessels now being separated, a third boat was then lowered to assist the others in getting the crew on board.
 

11:30 p.m.

John Bankhead: My engines working slowly, and all the pumps in full play, but water gaining rapidly, sea very heavy and breaking entirely over the vessel, rendering it extremely hazardous to leave the turret in fact, several men were supposed to have been washed overboard at this time. While waiting for the boats to return, the engineer reported that the engines had ceased to work, and shortly after all the pumps stopped; also, the water putting out the fires and leaving no pressure of steam.

Joseph Watters, Second Asst. Engineer: the amount of water in the ship increased, until it reached the fires and gradually extinguished them. The pressure of steam in the boilers at that time was 5 pounds per square inch, and the main engines stopped, the Worthington and centrifugal pumps still working slowly, but finally stopped. I reported the circumstances to Captain Bankhead. A few minutes later I received an order to leave the engine room and proceed to get in the boats. It was then between the hours of 12 p.m. and 1 a.m., and the fires nearly extinguished.

31 December 1862

John Bankhead: A bailing party had been preciously organized, not so much with any hope of diminishing the water, but more as an occupation for the men. The engine being stopped, and no longer able to keep the vessel head to sea, she having fallen off into the trough and rolling so heavily as to render it impossible for boats to approach us, I ordered the anchor to be let go and all the chain given her, in hopes that it might bring her up. Fortunately it did so, and she once more swung round head to the wind. By this time, finding the vessel filling rapidly and the deck on a level with the water, I ordered all the men left on board to leave the turret and endeavor to get into the two boats which were then approaching us. I think, at that time , there were about twenty-five or thirty men on board. The boats approached very cautiously, as the sea was breaking upon our now submerged deck with great violence, washing several men overboard, one of whom was afterwards picked up by the boats. I secured the painter of one of the boats (which by the use of its oars was prevented from striking the side) and made as many get into her as she would safely hold in the heavy sea that was running. There were several men still left upon and in the turret who, either stupefied by fear or fearful of being washed overboard in the attempt to reach the boats, would not come down and are supposed to have gone down in the vessel. Feeling that I had done everything in my power to save the vessel and crew, I jumped into the already deeply laden boat and left the Monitor, whose heavy, sluggish motion gave evidence that she could float but a short time longer.

William Keeler: Upon the order from Capt. B. to "lead the men to the boats," I divested myself of the greater portion of my clothing to afford me greater facilities for swimming in case of necessity & attempted to descend the ladder leading down the outside of the turret, but found it full of men hesitating but desiring to make the perilous passage of the deck.

I found a rope hanging from one of the awning stanchions over my head & slid down it to the deck. A huge wave passed over me tearing me from my footing & bearing me along with it, rolling, tumbling & tossing like the merest speck.

I was carried as near as I could judge ten or twelve yards from the vessel when I came to the surface & the back-set of the wave threw me against the vessel's side near one of the iron stanchions which supported the life line this I grasped with all the energy of desperation & drawing myself on deck worked my way along the life line & was hauled into the boat, into which the men were jumping one by one as they could venture across the deck.

Grenville Weeks: the captain said,--"It is madness to remain here longer; let each man save himself." For a moment he descended to the cabin for a coat, and his faithful servant followed to secure a jewel-box, containing the accumulated treasure of years. A sad, sorry sight it was. In the heavy air the lamps burned dimly, and the water, waist-deep, splashed sullenly against the wardroom's sides. One lingering look, and he left the Monitor's cabin forever.

Time was precious; he hastened to the deck, where, in the midst of a terrible sea, Lieutenant Greene nobly held his post. He seized the rope from the whale-boat, wound it about an iron stanchion, and then around his wrists, for days afterward swollen and useless from the strain. His black body-servant stood near him.

"Can you swim, William↓" he asked.

"No," replied the man.

"Then keep by me, and I'll save you."

One by one, watching their time between the waves, the men filled in, the captain helping the poor black to a place, and at last, after all effort for others and none for themselves, Captain Bankhead and Lieutenant Greene took their places in the boat. Two or three still remained, clinging to the turret; the captain had begged them to come down, but, paralyzed with fear, they sat immovable, and the gallant Brown, promising to return for them, pushed off, and soon had his boat-load safe upon the Rhode Island's deck.

Rhode Island Log: Midnight to 4 a.m.: Lowered Scorpion, succeeded in getting the crew off except sixteen men and officers. Sent first cutter in charge of Mr. Browne for them.

William Keeler: Other boats soon came alongside bringing the remainder of our officers & crew & a little before one o'clock on the morning of the 31st the Monitor disappeared beneath the surface.

Trenchard: Acting Master's Mate Browne, the officer in charge of the first cutter, deserves special credit for the skillful manner in which he managed his boat, having made two trips to the Monitor and rescued a number of her men. Encouraged by the success attending them, Mr. Browne started on another trip, and soon after was hailed and directed to lie on his oars, or drop astern and be towed up, as the Rhode Island would steam for the Monitor, as soon as the men could be got on board from the boats alongside and the boats hoisted up. Mr. Browne, perhaps, not understanding the order, proceeded on in the direction of the Monitor whose red light from her turret was still visible, but by the tie the steamer was ready to turn her wheels, the light had unfortunately disappeared (1:30 a.m., 31st ultimo).

Rhode Island Log: At 1:30 a.m. lost sight of the Monitor's light, we being unable to turn our wheels on account of the boats discharging the crew of the Monitor.

John Bankhead: Shortly after we reached the Rhode Island she disappeared.

Grenville Weeks: For an hour or more we watched from the deck of the Rhode Island the lonely light upon the Monitor's turret; a hundred times we thought it gone forever,--a hundred times it reappeared, till at last, about two o'clock, Wednesday morning, it sank, and we saw it no more.

Trenchard: The steamer proceeded slowly in the direction in which the Monitor bore when last seen, and endeavored to keep her position as near it s possible throughout the night, burning Coston's night signals at intervals.

Rhode Island Log: Hoisted up Scorpion and launch and proceeded to windward in search of the first cutter and monitor, but not finding them steamed to windward to hold our position until daylight. Burned Coston's signals every half hour.

William Keeler: Another chapter has been added to my eventful life. The Monitor is no more. What the fire of the enemy failed to do, the elements have accomplished.

Date Hour Wind
Direction Wind
Force * Weather Air
Temp Water
Temp Barometer
1862
Dec 29 6 p.m. S. by W. 1 b c 58 -- 30.11
29 8 p.m. S. by W. 2 b c 50 -- 30.12
29 12 midnight S.W. by S. 2 b c 53 -- 30.11
30 4 a. m. S.S.W 1 -- 56 50 30.12
30 8 a.m. S.S.W. 1 b c 57 52 --
30 12 m S.W. by W. 1 b c 65 -- --
30 4 p.m. S.W. by W. 2 -- 68 69
30 8 p.m. S.W. by S. 4 o 70 74 29.95
30 12 m S.W. by S. 6 r q -- -- 29.90
31 4 a.m. S.W. 7 -- -- 29.40
31 8 a.m. S.W. 7 o 64 68 29.92
31 12 m N.N.W. 6 -- 50 68 29.99
31 4 p.m. N.N.W. 6 -- 52 -- --
31 8 p.m. N.N.W. 5 b c 55 70 30.18
31 12 m N.N.W. -- -- -- -- 30.20