April 17, 1863, The Charleston Mercury
We have had the pleasure of examining several Yankee flags, obtained from the sunken Keokuk. Judging by the articles left on board, the Yankees must either have lost their wits, or the boat must have gone down unexpectedly soon. Two of these buntings are United States ensigns of the ordinary shape; one is a streaming pennant, and two small signal flags. One of the first description is very much torn, apparently by bits of iron and shell. One of the latter may be seen at our office.
A SUBSTANTIAL TROPHY. – A friend has sent us the iron grating used for covering the hatchway of one of the turrets of the sunken Keokuk. It is a very massive affair, and is a fair specimen of the covering and interior work of the famous turrets. The walls are formed of this kind of work, covered by eight more plates of half-inch iron, and in the interior by a single plate of half-inch iron. In the sides the spaces left vacant between the bars put on edge, are filled in with wood. From the appearance of the boat, the ten inch Columbiad shot did more damage than the seven inch rifle shot, although both passed clear through. Several of the shots, which only dented the iron, have so warped the plates, which are two feet four inches in width, that the water now flows in and out through the apertures. The bolts are knocked off by the shot in every direction.
The iron grating may be seen by the curious at the Office of THE MERCURY.