ntrance to the bay, also in the subsequent fierce encounters with a
huge Confederate "ram" and gun-boats. At the beginning of the latter
encounters one of Farragut's best iron-clads (the _Tecumseh_) was sunk
in a few seconds by a torpedo exploded under her, when all but seventeen
of her one hundred and thirty men perished. Undismayed, Farragut pushed
on, won a victory, and permanently closed the port of Mobile. When the
_Tecumseh_ went to the bottom the Admiral prayed for light and guidance.
"It seemed to me," said Farragut, "that a voice commanded me to _go
on_;" and he did.

"The port of Wilmington must now be closed," said the government, when
the news of Farragut's victory reached the capital. An immense land and
naval force gathered at Hampton Roads, the former under General Butler,
the latter under Admiral Porter. They sailed at the middle of December
to attack Fort Fisher, a strong work at the mouth of the Cape Fear, and
on the anniversary of the birth of the Prince of Peace, 1864, the fleet
bombarded that stronghold with very little effect, throwing eighteen
thousand shells upon it. A floating mine containing 430,000 pounds of
gunpowder had been exploded near the fort, but without effect. Troops
landed, but accomplished nothing, and the capture of Fort Fisher was
deferred until the middle of January, 1865, when all the defenses at the
mouth of the Cape Fear were captured by the same fleet, and a land force
under General Terry. The port of Wilmington was effectually closed, and
with this victory the most important operations of the navy in the civil
war closed.

* * * * *

Here ends our brief story of the navy of the United States. It is only a
brief outline; sufficient, perhaps, to indicate what remains in store
for you when you come to read its marvellous details in volume at some
time in the future. Its record in the past is glorious; it may be made
more so in the future, for its capabilities are great. It ought to be
cherished as the strong right arm of defense for our government, our
commerce, and our free institutions.

Our government is now giving it a fostering care hitherto unknown. It
has established training-ships, in which American boys are thoroughly
instructed in all the arts of expert seamanship and the military tactics
of the sea, while particular attention is given to the training of their
minds and morals. There are bright promises that our future navy will be