MAJOR DANE AT HAMILTON.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2462, 21 April 1888, Page 2

MAJOR DANE AT HAMILTON.

This famous orator gave one of those stirring lectures for which he has won for himself so high a reputation, at the Public Hal), Hamilton, on Wednesday evening. From some unexplained reason therewas not a large attendance, which is much to be regretted, for we have seldom, if ever, heard a public speaker who so thoroughly deserves the fullest recognition as Major Dane. His declamation is pei feet, and he is gifted with such powers of description that in his rendering of the great and terrible battle scenes, he entirely enthralled his audience. The subject selected 011 this occasion was "The Great Naval Battles of the Rebellion," in some of which events Major Dane took a conspicuous part. The lecturer before commencing his theme ex pressed his regret at the absence of Colonel Forbes, through severe illness, and wished him a speedy recovery. He then sketched out the history of the great struggle from the beginning of hostilities at Fort Munroe. The South had for some time been making great preparations and collecting warlike stores at every point, and hoped to strike such a signal blow as would entirely paralyse the Federal Government. When the storm broke it looked as though their anticipations would be fulfilled. The North at once called out the militia, and placed 75,000 men in the field. The great question of defending the Union came before the prophetic soul who then occupied White House, and the Cabinet met in council to prepare a scheme for the defence of the coast. President Lincoln devised a plan that startled his Cabinet, and which was called " Lincoln's Paper Blockade," for there was no navy. But the groat mind of Lincoln rose to the occasion, and as was his usual custom, he met their anxious doubts by pointing upwards and saying, " Leave the rest to Him." Fleet after fleet was created with marvellous rapidity, and took up their position from the Rio Grande to the Potomac. The construction of river fleets was carried out, the vessels being of odd curious shapes. These fleets were variously styled, "The Tinclad fleet, Mosquito fleet and Waterpot fleet.' He proceeded to describe some of the great sea-fights. The first was the engagement in Hampton Roads between the monster Merriinac and the Federal ships of war which were blockading the port to prevent that vessel communicating with foreign fleets outside who were prepared to recognise the belligerency of the Southern States. The Federal squadron had been on the watch for several weeks and had become somewhat careless, when 011 the Bth March, 18U2, they saw the hideous ironclad ram coming down the river. Owing to a dead calm the sailing frigates could not move and the ram attacked them in dotail. The "Roanoke" was disabled and run ashore, and the "Cumberland" and "Congress" were destroyed. The description of the action was told in very telling and graphic language. So also the effect of the disastrous news on the mind of the President. But at this trying moment a man who had committed the dreadful crime of having an original idea had come from Europe, where 110 one would listen to him, and after pestering the Government had succeeded in obtaining a grant to aid hiin in building a strange vessel of war of an entirely novel shape. She had just been launched, and was on her trial trip. Major Dane told the story of the building and departure of Erickson's Monitor with admirable colouring and humour, that was perfectly delightful. Ho related how, on the day after the engagement, the odd little craft arrived at Hampton Roads to the amazement of the Federal naval commanders and the two hostile armies on either side of the river. Also, how the Monitor went up the river and fought the huge Merrimac, and sent her back disabled and crippled. This formed a new era in naval tactics, and created a comple revolution in the science of naval warfare. The lecturer then proceeded to describe the selection of Admiral Farragut by the President to the command of the Union fleet with orders to capture New Orleans, which had been justly described by the great Napoleon as the key of the Republic. He gave a splendid and thrilling description of the attack on the forts at the mouth of the Mississippi, and the forcing of the passage by night, the waters being lit up by the flare of miles of beacon fires, and the air deafened with the thunders of the great guns. Fire ships sent down by the Confederates and numerous gunboats were met with; the forts were blown up, and ships of war run ashore. Major Dane referred lightly to the engagement at Vicksburg, and then proceeded to give a splendid account of the final naval fight which took place at Mobile, where he was attached to the staff of Admiral Farragut on the flagship "Harfleur." The battle took place 111 July, 1801, and was a terrible affair, but the brave old Admiral said he "had to gbt in," and told his captains they "had to win the victory." The state of the country was then desperate, and people were crying out to stop the war. But Lincoln was determined to save the Union, and asked Congress to pass the Bill authorising the raising of 500,000 more men. The Bill was only passed through the energetic stand and passionate appeal of Garfield, then the youngest member in the House. The details of the capture of Mobile and the extent and formidable nature of the forts, immense number of guns, and channels strewn with torpedoes, were graphically described. The scene was terrific and the fight desperate, but the Federal fleet succecded in getting in. The lecturer concludcd a brilliant oration full of historical interest, and giving a close insight into the oourse of events in the long and terrible struggle.