University of Virginia Library

93. Sinking the Tecumseh
By LOYALL FARRAGUT (1864)

FARRAGUT had fully intended to run into Mobile Bay on the 4th of August; but the non-arrival of the Tecumseh from Pensacola, prevented him from doing so. It was with great satisfaction that he saw her steam behind Sand Island on that afternoon, and take up her anchorage with the Winnebago, Manhattan, and Chicksaw.

On the morning of the 5th, long before day, through the whole fleet could be heard the boatswains' cheery pipes and calls of "all hands"and "up all hammocks"—sounds so familiar on shipboard; and soon after an orderly entered the cabin and called Captain Drayton. While the Admiral, Drayton, and Palmer were partaking of their breakfast, daybreak was reported, but weather threatening rain. The clouds worked round, however, and in

spite of its being Friday, the sailor's day of misgivings, they congratulated themselves on the good omen. The wind, too, was west-southwest, just where Farragut wanted it, as it would blow the smoke of the guns on Fort Morgan.

At four o'clock the wooden ships formed in double column, lashed in pairs. The Brooklyn was appointed to lead, because she had four chase guns, and apparatus for picking up torpedoes.

At half past five the Admiral still sipping his tea,

quietly said, "Well, Drayton, we might as well get under way." In one minute answering signals came from the whole fleet, the wooden vessels taking up their respective positions, and steering for Sand Island Channel, while the four monitors filed out of Monitor Bay, and formed in a single column to the right of the wooden ships, the leading one being abreast of the Brooklyn.

The Confederate vessels had in the meantime taken up their position in single line across the channel, with their port batteries bearing on the fleet. The Tennessee was a little westward of the red buoy and close to the inner line of torpedoes.

At 6:47 A.M. the booming of the Tecumseh's guns was heard, and shortly afterwards Morgan replied. As the fleet of wooden vessels came within shorter range, Farragut made signal for " closer order,"which was promptly obeyed, each vessel closing up to within a few yards of the one ahead, and a little on the starboard quarter, thus enabling such of the ships as had chase guns to bring them to bear. The ball had opened, but the enemy had the advantage, and the Union fleet now received a raking fire from forts and rebel gunboats for fully half an hour before they could bring their broadsides to bear with effect. But at the end of that time the Brooklyn and Hartford were enabled to pour in their broadsides, driving the gunners from the barbette and water batteries.

By half past seven the Tecumseh was well up with the fort, and drawing slowly by the Tennessee, having her on the port beam, when suddenly she reeled to port and went down with almost every soul on board, destroyed by a torpedo.

Craven, in his eagerness to engage the ram, had

passed to the west of the fatal buoy. If he had gone but his breadth of beam eastward of it, he would have been safe so far as torpedoes were concerned.

This appalling disaster was not immediately realized by the fleet. Some supposed the Tennessee had been sunk, or some advantage gained over the enemy, and cheer after cheer from the Hartford was taken up and echoed along the line. But Farragut from his lofty perch, saw the true state of affairs, and his anxiety was not decreased when the Brooklyn, next ahead, suddenly stopped. He hailed his pilot, Freeman, above him in the top, to ask, "What is the matter with the Brooklyn ? She must have plenty of water there.""Plenty and to spare, Admiral,"the man replied. Alden had seen the Tecumseh go down, and the heavy line of torpedoes across the channel made him pause. The Brooklyn began to back; the vessels in the rear, pressing on those in the van, soon created confusion, and disaster seemed imminent. "The batteries of our ships were almost silent,"says an eye-witness, "while the whole of Mobile Point was a living flame."

"What's the trouble?"was shouted through a trumpet from the flag-ship to the Brooklyn.

"Torpedoes! "was shouted back in reply.

"Damn the torpedoes!"said Farragut. "Four bells! Captain Drayton, go ahead! Jouett, full speed!"And the Haqford passed the Brooklyn, assuming the head of the line, and led the fleet to victory. It was the one only way out of the difficulty, and any hesitation would have closed even this escape from a frightful disaster. Nor did the Admiral forget the poor fellows who were struggling in

the water where the Tecumseh had gone down, but ordered Jouett to lower the boat and pick up the survivors.