| Navy O.R.-- Series 1--Volume 23 [S# 23] pg 552-5 Naval Forces On Western Waters. From April 12 To December 31, 1862 |
| Reports of Lieutenant Getty, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Marmora, of destruction of U. S. S. Cairo. U. S. GUNBOAT MARMORA, Off Yazoo River, December 13, 1862. SIR: In obedience to your orders, I herewith subjoin the particulars of the expedition up the Yazoo River yesterday for the purpose of destroying the enemy's torpedoes, together with your orders to the commanders of the respective vessels composing the expedition the evening prior to its execution. At 8 a.m. on the 12th instant this vessel, followed by the Signal, the ram Queen of the West, gunboats Cairo and Pittsburg, all under command of Lieutenant-Commander Selfridge, got underway and steamed up the Yazoo River for a distance of 18 miles until reaching the point where the torpedoes obstructed their further passage, this boat continuing to lead and steam on, by orders of Commander Selfridge. While steaming slowly on, I lowered my cutter and made it pull along the shore to reconnoiter and destroy the lines and cords which held the torpedoes. The officer in command of the cutter had succeeded in cutting the lines of one and was towing it back to this vessel, when I heard a loud report and concussion in my rear, and on looking back I discovered in a glance that a torpedo had exploded under the Cairo, and that she was rapidly sinking. I immediately stopped the headway of my vessel, which at the time was in the midst of the torpedoes, and, working cautiously ahead (in accordance with the repeated orders of Commander Selfridge), and stood down to the assistance of the Cairo. But before I was able to reach her the vessels in the rear had gone to her assistance and taken off her officers and crew. Whilst this was being accomplished, the several vessels discharged repeated broadsides into either shore. After the accident several of the vessels sent their small boats along the shore and destroyed a number of torpedoes. When the wreck had been stripped of everything in sight and the men from shore had returned, we received orders from Captain Selfridge to steam down the river, which was accordingly done, this vessel reaching the Mississippi at 4 p.m. whilst coming down the Yazoo, being in advance of the remaining vessels, I was repeatedly fired into by guerrillas concealed along the shores, whom I silenced by several discharges from my howitzers. On the evening of the 11th instant the commanders of the several vessels above named were signaled to repair on board the flagship Carondelet, where on arriving we received verbal orders from you to the following import, viz: That we should start the following morning on an expedition up the Yazoo River to destroy the torpedoes placed therein (information of which you had received from a reconnoissance of the 11th instant, made by your orders by this vessel and the Signal); that we should proceed with great caution, the two light-draft boats leading, the ram following, and the two ironclads bringing up the rear. That when the point should be reached where the torpedoes were placed the ironclads should shell the shores and the remaining vessels send their small boats along the shores and discover and destroy the lines and wires which held the torpedoes. But while so doing to exercise the greatest care and prudence and run no risk to life nor vessels. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, ROBT. GETTY, Lieutenant, Commanding. Captain HENRY WALKE, Commanding Lower Mississippi Flotilla. |