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sir: I beg leave to submit the following report of damages sustained in the Engineer's department of this ship, in her passage by Fort Morgan, on the morning of the fifth instant.
A seven-inch Brooke's rifle projectile penetrated the forward out-board end of the starboard boiler, about eight inches above upper tube sheet, carrying away the entire sheet through which it entered; and exploding inside the boiler, inflicted serious damage to the entire forward end of the same, destroying all the angleiron and the fore and aft braces thereto attached, starting the tube-sheets and all the tubes in the two forward tube-boxes.
Two of the heaviest fragments of the shell were driven through the front of the boiler, destroying the upper manhole plate, the entire sheet to which it was attached, and starting the riveting of the adjoining sheets.
As soon as it was practicable after this accident, the nature and extent of the damage was ascertained, the connection between the two boilers immediately shut off, and the engines operated with the remaining boiler.
I regret to state that through this accident to the starboard boiler, First Assistant-Engineer R. H. Fitch and six of the firemen and coalheavers on watch below at the time, were seriously scalded by the hot water and escaping steam.
In its present condition the boiler is totally unfit for use. No further damages were sustained in this department.
I cannot close this report without adverting to the coolness, zeal, and intrepidity displayed by the officers and men in general under my supervision.
Too much praise cannot be accorded to First Assistant-Engineer R. A. Fitch, who, at the time of the injury to the boiler, displayed the utmost courage and coolness, remaining at his station in the execution of his duties, until he was so badly scalded by the escaping steam as to be rendered almost helpless.
I desire also to refer in terms of the highest commendation to the conduct of Acting Third Assistant-Engineer Nicholas Dillon, who, after the disabling of Mr. Fitch, rendered me invaluable assistance in discovering the nature of damages, and making the requisite provision for working the engines with the remaining boiler.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
sir: The following is a report of the damages in the Master's department of this ship during the action of yesterday, namely:
One set wheel-ropes cut by shell; one telltale compass damaged; one Mobile Bay chart damaged; one spy-glass badly damaged; one binnacle-lamp lost overboard; two ward-room chains broken by shell; one lead and line lost overboard; two sets signal-halliards cut by shell; fifteen fathoms stream-chain on fire-room hatch cut by shot; twelve fathoms starboard bower-chain on ship's side cut by shell; seven fathoms sheet-chain on engine-room hatch cut by shot; all cabin furniture destroyed entirely or badly damaged; one six-inch hawser cut badly.
Very respectfully,
E. W. Kellogg, Lieutenant in charge of Master's Department. Lieutenant C. L. Huntington, Senior Officer on board.
sir: I respectfully submit the following report of damages and injuries sustained in the gunner's department of this ship in the action of yesterday:
No. 3 gun — forward eleven-inch pivot: one intackle carried away by shot, one out-tackle carried away by shot.
No. 4 gun--eight-inch broadside: one sidetackle carried away by shot, one train-tackle carried away by shot.
No. 5 gun--eight-inch broadside: carriage badly damaged, breast-piece shot away, brackets on left side of carriage badly injured.
Shell-crane and tackle at fore-hatch broken by shot; one rammer knocked overboard; one handspike broken; two boring bits broken; one priming wire broken.
No. 6 gun — after eleven-inch pivot: chase of gun dented and cracked by shot; brackets on right side of carriage badly splintered and dented by expansion band of a shell striking them and remaining in them, fracturing the breeching also, making it unsafe for use; twelve-pounder howitzer boat-carriage disabled.
Very respectfully,
sir: I respectfully beg leave to submit the following report of injuries received by this ship in her rigging during the action of this day:
Starboard fore trysail vang shot away; port bowsprit guy shot away; three shrouds of starboard main rigging injured by shot, (one cut in two;) starboard main topmast backstay cut; mizzen-stay shot away; main spencer brail shot away; topping lift of whale boat's davits shot away; awning ridge rope starboard side shot away; spanker brails shot away.
Very respectfully,
sir: The following is a list of casualties in the Carpenter's department of this ship during the engagement of the fifth of August:
All the berths, bulkheads, and furniture in the cabin a total wreck, caused by the explosion of a seven-inch shell which entered at the water-line.
One seven-inch rifle-shell passed through
