Office of the Historian

Mr. Perry to Mr. Seward

No. 179.]
Legation of the United States, Madrid, March 20, 1865.

Sir: The captain of the Stonewall returned to Ferrol, as expected. The Niagara and Sacramento returned to their old ancliorage at the Corunna on the 15th instant. Last evening a telegram from our cousular agent át Ferrol informed me that the Stonewall was now ready to leave Ferrol at the first moment the weather should permit, and that he is not afraid of our ships. A telegram to the Spanish government also informs them that the rebel had taken leave of the authorities at Ferrol preparatory to sailing.

This determination corresponds exactly to what was foreseen in my letter to Commodore Craven of 14th instant, transmitted to you with my No. 177 of the 15th instant. Meantime we have no news of any re-enforcement for Commodore [Page 519] Craven, and I cannot help fearing that the class and power of -this formidable iron-clad have been imperfectly comprehended at Washington, or you would have been able to inform me before this that à force sufficient to control this vessel had left our waters. It is now six weeks since I had the honor to telegraph you her description, without, however, being able to give you details as to her casemated artillery, which may be compared in power to that of our best monitors. I am informed that a single shell from the 300-pounder Armstrong, impelled by 50 pounds of powder, and with a bursting charge of 17 pounds, may be expected to render such a ship as the Niagara useless.

It is probable that the guns of the latter will be unable to penetrate the 5, 7 and 8 inch iron plates under which the three Armstrong guns are casemated aboard the Stonewall. Besides her battery, the Stonewall is reported to steam twelve knots, which would enable her to use her spur 40 feet long with terrible effect in smooth water.

We shall see if the superior sea-going qualities of our ships can be made to compensate in any way for these tremendous advantages on the side of the Stonewall. Fortunately the stormy weather promises to still spare us for some days the cruel spectacle of our two wooden ships in action against this monster, in whose construction the best inventive talent of France has been exhausted, and I still hope re-enforcements may arrive.

I have the honor to enclose copy of my last letter to Commodore Craven, 18th instant, enclosing copy of letter from the consulate at Liverpool, in which our accounts of the ram are confirmed by a correspondent on board that vessel.

The dispositions of the Spanish government, and the measures taken according to my request to prevent anymore men from joining the ram, are satisfactory. With sentiments of the highest respect, sir, your obedient servant,

HORATIO J. PERRY.

Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State; Washington.

Mr. Perry to Commodore Craven

Legation of the United States, Madrid, March 18, 1865.

Dear Sir: I hasten to forward copy of a letter just received from our consulate at Liverpool. The information it contains may not be new to you, except the latter part, which would seem to indicate a good lookout for vessels under the Dutch flag. Of course the manner of fighting of the ram is indicated by her build and armament.

Mr. Seward, under date of 27th, informs me that Admiral Goldsborough is preparing for a cruise with a considerable fleet in European waters, but that many vessels of our navy are now engaged repairing damages.

Nothing definite. Ko later news from Sherman.

Very respectfully, &c &c,

HORATIO J. PERRY.

Commodore Craven, Commanding Squadron near Corunna.

[Extract.]

Mr. Wilding to Mr. Perry

United States Consulate, Liverpool, March 14, 1865.

* * * * * * * *

A person here who was formerly in one of the rebel privateers holds a commission, and is waiting orders; has received a letter from a man on board the Stonewall, in which the writer gives some particulars of the vessel which it might be well to communicate to Commodore Craven.

He says she is brig-rigged; top-gallant forecastle has a ram (spur) projecting 40 feet; 2 turrets; forward turret has one rifled gun, shot 11-inch shell, 50 pounds in cartridge, 17 [Page 520] pounds in shell, 3 feet 9 inches long. After turret, 2 guns, rifled, shot 20 pounds in cartridge 10 pounds in shell, steel shell and shot, and sequent shot; has 4 engines, 2 screws; speed, 12 knots. Plates of turrets, 5, 7, and 8 inch.

He says the Niagara and Sacramento are outside, but give us little concern, as we shall run right into one of them and send her to the bottom.

The man to whom this is addressed has told my informant that he expects to go to the Stonewall as gunner, and that men are still being engaged for her, and that a Dutch vessel is to take them to her.

Other information from the same source has turned out correct, which gives me reason to believe this to be so.

Your obedient servant,

H. G. WILDING, V. C.

Hon. Horatio J, Perry, &c., &c., Madrid.