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us to an anchorage.
At eleven anchored in three and a quarter fathoms water, with thirty fathoms of chain, ready for slipping.
The officers and crew of the Oneida are proud to have served in your fleet, and they are proud of their gallant commander, J. R. M. Mullany, who gave us all so noble an example of unflinching courage and heroism.
His coolness in action could not possibly have been surpassed.
Having scarcely become acquainted with Commander Mullany, he having only been on board two days, the highest compliment that can be paid him is the confidence and spirit with which the crew went into action.
Too much praise cannot be awarded to Lieutenant C. S. Cotton, Lieutenant E. N. Kellogg, and Acting Ensign John Sears, commanding gun divisions, for the admirable examples of courage they afforded their men, and for their skill in directing the fire of the guns.
The conduct of Acting Ensign Charles V. Gridley (regular) is beyond all praise.
He had charge of the Master's division, and assisted in conning the ship from the top-gallant forecastle.
Acting Ensign Hall's conduct has been previously mentioned.
His duties were performed in the most satisfactory manner, and, under the Almighty God, we probably owe to his presence of mind at the time of the fire on the berth-deck the safety of the ship.
Acting Master's Mates Ed. Bird, Daniel Clark, and John Devereaux behaved courageously.
Gunner Wm. Parker and Boatswain Hallowell Dickinson merit mention for their good conduct.
I leave it to Chief-Engineer W. H. Hunt to speak of the officers and men under his immediate supervision, but must speak of him personally in this report.
He was cool and collected during the whole affair, and his gallantry was particularly apparent at the time of the accident to our starboard boiler.
Mr. Hunt was scalded severely in both arms.
Surgeon John F. Taylor had a severe task imposed upon him, but his whole duty by the wounded was done quietly and skilfully.
Medical assistance was offered from the Galena; it was accepted, and Acting Assistant-Surgeon George P. Wright came on board, for which we owe him our thanks.
At the time that our boiler was exploded, five of our wounded went on board the Galena; four subsequently returned — the other was suffering much pain, and remained on board until transferred to the Metacomet.
The safety of the ship after the explosion depended upon the Galena.
That we are here quietly at anchor attests how nobly Lieutenant Commander Clark H. Wells stood by us.
Assistant Paymaster George R. Martin assisted the Surgeon materially.
He also superintended putting out a fire that broke out in the cabin.
Paymaster's Clerk W. P. Treadwell rendered great service in passing orders to the bell, until he was required below to assist in caring for the wounded.
He was quite badly scalded himself.
Mr. George A. Ebbetts, Captain's Clerk, behaved splendidly.
He was knocked down at the same time that Captain Mullany was wounded.
Whenever he could be spared from below after this accident, he cheerfully rendered assistance in carrying orders.
The Pilot, Mr. John V. Grivet, served part of the time on board the Galena, and part of the time on board this ship.
That part of his conduct which came under my observation merits praise.
For the crew, they stood to their guns most nobly.
Many deserve mention, but I shall only name those that came under my own observation.
James Sheridan, Quartermaster, Captain of the after eleven-inch gun, was wounded in several places, but remained at his gun until the firing ceased, when he supplied the place of the Signal Quartermaster, who had been injured by a fall.
Sheridan is very intelligent, understands the rudiments of navigation and the use of the sextant, and I recommend him to your favorable notice.
John E. Jones, Quartermaster, stationed at the wheel, was also wounded.
After the wheel-ropes were shot away he went on the poop to assist at the signals, and remained there until ordered to reeve new wheelropes, Wm. Gardner, seaman, behaved so coolly under fire as to draw my particular attention to him. John Preston, landsman, though severely wounded, remained at his gun until obliged to go to the Surgeon.
He reported himself slightly hurt, assisted in taking care of the wounded below, and wanted to return to his station on deck.
On examination, it was found that he was wounded quite severely in both eyes.
Wm. Newland, O. S., first loader of after eleven-inch gun, behaved splendidly; he has been distinguished on board for his good conduct and faithful discharge of all his duties.
David Nailor, landsman, powder-boy at the thirty-pounder Parrott rifle, had his passing-box knocked overboard out of his hand.
The passing-box fell into one of the Galena's boats, which was right under our bow; Nailor jumped overboard, recovered his box and returned to his station.
Charles Wooram, O. S., acting as an aid to the Executive Officer, distinguished himself by his cool courage; he carried orders intelligently and correctly.
Thos. Kendrick, Cox., a volunteer from the Bienville, attracted my attention by his excellent conduct.
The marines conducted themselves with the usual distinguished gallantry of their corps.
Sergeant James S. Roantree is particularly deserving of notice.
We are grateful to Almighty God for his protection.
Inclosed are the reports of damages in the different departments of the ship.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Chas. L. Huntington, Lieutenant U. S. Navy. Rear-Admiral D. G. Farragut, Commanding W. G. B. Squadron.
