The Blockade Runner — page 72: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE BLOCKADE RUNNER. U3 “We fight as long as we float, boys!” he said to his companions. “The old flag still waves overhead. Give the Confederates some more doses of iron! Hur- rah for the Union!” Bravery would not save the day. | The Cumberland; gallant ship, was doomed! Water was rushing into her forward magazine, and the cries of the wounded added to the horror of the scene. 3 Some of the guns almost touched the waves, but the Union tars still worked them, occasionally sending up loud cheers cf defiance. Braver men never fought a ship. To add to the terrible spectacle, the after pivot gun got loose and rolled about, crushing men without mercy, and hastening the fate of the vessel. | The flag of the Cumberland continued to wave over her gallant crew. It inspired them with new courage, and called forth cheer after cheer as the grand old ship settled toward the depths of the sea. Without pity and as destructively as ever, the Mer- rimac continued to deliver her terr ific broadsides into the Cumberland. | The shot opened great gashes wherever they struck, . and the blood of the Cumberland’s tars ran through them into the sea. At last, when destruction seemed unavoidable, the boats were ordered out. They were brought alongside with difficulty. The men could hardly escape from the gun-deck to the spar-deck, the ship was sinking so rapidly; they climbed into the rigging, or sprung overboard to save their lives. CoOmmicloooks.Cco@