The Albemarle, a gaping hole in her port quarter, began to sink rapidly. Lt. Warley, commanding the Albemarle, reported: "The water gained on us so fast that all exertions were fruitless, and the vessel went down in a few moments, merely leaving her shield and smokestack out."
Cushing found his own boat sinking but, refusing to surrender in the midst of the enemy, ordered his men to save themselves and started to swim for shore. Although he had exploded the torpedo virtually staring down the muzzle of Albemarle's gun, he was miraculously unharmed. (And considering all of his exploits, this was one very lucky man.
Making for shore, he tried to save the gallant John Woodman, who was unable to swim any longer, but Woodman sank. Cushing finally pulled himself half onto the bank and lay exhausted until morning. Finding himself near a Confederate picket station, he managed to seize a skiff and rowed the eight miles downstream to Albemarle Sound. There, he was picked up by the USS Valley City.
One Brave Expedition. --Old B-Runner
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