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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/36988-8.txt b/36988-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..270bcfc --- /dev/null +++ b/36988-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1760 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of An Englishman's View of the Battle between +the Alabama and the Kearsarge, by Frederick Milnes Edge + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: An Englishman's View of the Battle between the Alabama and the Kearsarge + An Account of the Naval Engagement in the British Channel, + on Sunday June 19th, 1864 + +Author: Frederick Milnes Edge + +Release Date: August 6, 2011 [EBook #36988] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AN ENGLISHMAN'S VIEW *** + + + + +Produced by The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images +generously made available by The Internet Archive/American +Libraries.) + + + + + + + + + + AN ENGLISHMAN'S VIEW + OF THE BATTLE BETWEEN THE + ALABAMA AND THE KEARSARGE. + + AN ACCOUNT OF + + THE NAVAL ENGAGEMENT IN THE BRITISH CHANNEL, + ON SUNDAY, JUNE 19TH, 1864. FROM INFORMATION + PERSONALLY OBTAINED IN THE TOWN OF CHERBOURG, + AS WELL AS FROM THE OFFICERS AND CREW OF THE + UNITED STATES' SLOOP-OF-WAR KEARSARGE, AND + THE WOUNDED AND PRISONERS OF THE CONFEDERATE + PRIVATEER. + + + BY FREDERICK MILNES EDGE. + + + NEW YORK: + ANSON D. F. RANDOLPH, + No. 770 BROADWAY. + 1864. + + + + +Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1864, BY ANSON D. F. +RANDOLPH, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States +for the Southern District of New York. + + + EDWARD O. JENKINS, + Printer and Stereotyper, + 20 NORTH WILLIAM STREET. + + + + + This Record + OF + A MOST GLORIOUS VICTORY + GAINED IN THE CAUSE OF + JUSTICE AND HUMANITY, + IS + DEDICATED TO + THAT NOBLE OFFSPRING OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE + + The Sanitary Commission of the United States, + + BY + THEIR OBEDIENT SERVANT, + THE AUTHOR. + + LONDON, _July 14, 1864_. + + + + +The writer of this pamphlet is an English gentleman of intelligence now +residing in London, who has spent some time in this country, and is known +and esteemed by many of our best citizens. He visited Cherbourg for the +express purpose of making the inquiry and investigation, the results of +which are embodied in the following pages, and generously devotes the +pecuniary results of his copyright to the funds of the SANITARY +COMMISSION. + + + + +The Alabama and the Kearsarge. + + +The importance of the engagement between the United States Sloop-of-war, +Kearsarge, and the Confederate Privateer, Alabama, cannot be estimated by +the size of the two vessels. The conflict off Cherbourg on Sunday, the +19th of June, was the first decisive engagement between shipping propelled +by steam, and the first test of the merits of modern naval artillery. It +was, moreover, a contest for superiority between the ordnance of Europe +and America, whilst the result furnishes us with _data_ wherefrom to +estimate the relative advantages of rifled and smooth-bore cannon at short +range. + +Perhaps no greater or more numerous misrepresentations were ever made in +regard to an engagement than in reference to the one in question. The +first news of the conflict came to us enveloped in a mass of statements, +the greater part of which, not to use an unparliamentary expression, was +diametrically opposed to the truth; and although several weeks have now +elapsed since the Alabama followed her many defenceless victims to their +watery grave, these misrepresentations obtain as much credence as ever. +The victory of the Kearsarge was accounted for, and the defeat of the +Alabama excused or palliated upon the following principal reasons:-- + + 1. The superior size and speed of the Kearsarge. + + 2. The superiority of her armament. + + 3. The chain-plating at her sides. + + 4. The greater number of her crew. + + 5. The unpreparedness of the Alabama. + + 6. The assumed necessity of Captain Semmes' accepting the challenge + sent him (as represented) by the commander of the Kearsarge. + +Besides these misstatements there have been others put forth, either in +ignorance of the real facts of the case, or with a purposed intention of +diminishing the merit of the victory by casting odium upon the Federals on +the score of inhumanity. In the former category must be placed the remarks +of the _Times_ (June 21st); but it is just to state that the observations +in question were made on receipt of the first news, and from information +furnished probably by parties unconnected with the paper, and desirous of +palliating the Alabama's defeat by any means in their power. We are +informed in the article above referred to that the guns of the latter +vessel "had been pointed for 2,000 yards, and the second shot went right +through the Kearsarge," whereas no shot whatever went through as stated. +Again, "the Kearsarge fired about 100 (shot) chiefly 11-in. shell," the +fact being that not one-third of her projectiles were of that calibre. +Further on we find--"The men (of the Alabama) were all true to the last; +they only ceased firing when the water came to the muzzles of their guns." +Such a declaration as this is laughable in the extreme; the Alabama's +guns were all on the spar-deck, like those of the Kearsarge; and, to +achieve what the _Times_ represents, her men must have fought on until the +hull of their vessel was two feet under water. The truth is--if the +evidence of the prisoners saved by the Kearsarge may be taken--Captain +Semmes hauled down his flag immediately after being informed by his chief +engineer that the water was putting out the fires; and, within a few +minutes, the water gained so rapidly on the vessel that her bow rose +slowly in the air, and half her guns obtained a greater elevation than +they had ever known previously. It is unfortunate to find such cheap-novel +style of writing in a paper which at some future period may be referred to +as an authoritative chronicler of events now transpiring. + +It would be too long a task to notice all the numerous misstatements of +private individuals, and of the English and French press in reference to +this action: the best mode is to give the facts as they occurred, leaving +the public to judge by internal evidence on which side the truth exists. + +Within a few days of the fight, the writer of these pages crossed from +London to Cherbourg for the purpose of obtaining by personal examination +full and precise information in reference to the engagement. It would seem +as though misrepresentation, if not positive falsehood, were inseparable +from everything connected with the Alabama, for on reaching the French +naval station he was positively assured by the people on shore that +nobody was permitted to board the Kearsarge. Preferring, however, to +substantiate the truth of these allegations, from the officers of the +vessel themselves, he hired a boat and sailed out to the sloop, receiving +on his arrival an immediate and polite reception from Captain Winslow and +his gallant subordinates. During the six days he remained at Cherbourg, he +found the Kearsarge open to the inspection, above and below, of any and +everybody who chose to visit her; and he frequently heard surprise +expressed by English and French visitors alike that representations on +shore were so inconsonant with the truth of the case. + +I found the Kearsarge lying under the guns of the French ship-of-the-line +"Napoleon," two cables' length from that vessel, and about a mile and a +half from the harbour; she had not moved from that anchorage since +entering the port of Cherbourg, and no repairs whatever had been effected +in her hull since the fight. I had thus full opportunity to examine the +extent of her damage, and she certainly did not look at all like a vessel +which had just been engaged in one of the hottest conflicts of modern +times. + + +SIZE OF THE TWO VESSELS. + +The Kearsarge, in size, is by no means the terrible craft represented by +those who, for some reason or other, seek to detract from the honour of +her victory; she appeared to me a mere yacht in comparison with the +shipping around her, and disappointed many of the visitors who came to +see her. The relative proportions of the two antagonists were as +follows:-- + + ALABAMA. KEARSARGE. + Length over all 220 ft. 232 ft. + " of keel 210 " 198-1/2 " + Beam 32 " 33 " + Depth 17 " 16-1/2 " + Horse power, 2 engines of 300 each 400 h. p. + Tonnage 1,040 1,031[1] + +The Alabama was a barque-rigged screw propeller, and the heaviness of her +rig, and, above all, the greater size and height of her masts would give +her the appearance of a much larger vessel than her antagonist. The masts +of the latter are disproportionately low and small; she has never carried +more than top-sail yards, and depends for her speed upon her machinery +alone. It is to be questioned whether the Alabama, with all her reputation +for velocity, could, in her best trim, outsteam her rival. The log book of +the Kearsarge, which I was courteously permitted to examine, frequently +shows a speed of upwards of fourteen knots the hour, and her engineers +state that her machinery was never in better working order than at the +present time. I have not seen engines more compact in form, nor, +apparently, in finer condition; looking in every part as though they were +fresh from the workshop, instead of being, as they, are, half through the +third year of the cruise. + +Ships-of-war, however, whatever may be their tonnage, are nothing more +than platforms for carrying artillery. The only mode by which to judge of +the strength of the two vessels is in comparing their armaments; and +herein we find the equality of the antagonist as fully exemplified as in +the respective proportions of their hulls and steam-power. The armaments +of the Alabama and Kearsarge were are as follows: + + ARMAMENT OF THE ALABAMA. + + One 7-inch Blakely rifle. + One 8-inch smooth-bore (68-pounder). + Six 32-pounders. + + ARMAMENT OF THE KEARSARGE. + + Two 11-inch smooth-bore guns. + One 30-pounder rifle. + Four 32-pounders. + +It will therefore be seen that the Alabama had the advantage of the +Kearsarge--at all events in the number of her guns; whilst the weight of +the latter's broadside was only some 20 per cent. greater than her own. +This disparity, however, was more than made up by the greater rapidity of +the Alabama's firing, and, above all, by the superiority of her +artillerymen. The _Times_ informs us that Capt. Semmes asserts, "he owes +his best men to the training they received on board the 'Excellent;'" and +trained gunners must naturally be superior to the volunteer gunners on +board the Kearsarge. Each vessel fought all her guns, with the exception +in either case of one 32-pounder, on the starboard side; but the struggle +was really decided by the two 11-inch Dahlgren smooth-bores of the +Kearsarge against the 7-inch Blakely rifle and the heavy 68-pounder pivot +of the Alabama. The Kearsarge certainly carried a small 30-pounder rifled +Dahlgren in pivot on her forecastle, and this gun was fired several times +before the rest were brought into play; but the gun in question was never +regarded as aught than a failure, and the Ordnance Department of the +United States' Navy has given up its manufacture. + + +THE CHAIN-PLATING OF THE KEARSARGE. + +Great stress has been laid upon the chain-plating of the Kearsarge, and it +is assumed by interested parties that, but for this armour, the contest +would have resulted differently. A pamphlet lately published in this city, +entitled "The Career of the Alabama,"[2] makes the following statements: + +"The Federal Government had fitted out the Kearsarge, a new vessel of +great speed, _iron-coated_," &c. (p. 23). + +"She," the Kearsarge, "appeared to be _temporarily_ plated with iron +chains." (p. 38.) (In the previous quotation, it would appear she had so +been plated by the Federal Government: both statements are absolutely +incorrect, as will shortly be seen.) + +"It was frequently observed that shot and shell struck against the +Kearsarge's side, and harmlessly rebounded, bursting outside, and doing no +damage to the Federal crew." + +"Another advantage accruing from this was that it sank her very low in the +water, so low in fact, that the heads of the men who were in the boats +were on the level of the Kearsarge's deck." (p. 39.) + +"As before observed, the sides of the Kearsarge _were trailed all over +with chain cables_." (p. 41). + +The author of the pamphlet in question has judiciously refrained from +giving his name. A greater number of more unblushing misrepresentations +never were contained in an equal space. + +In his official report to the Confederate Envoy, Mr. Mason, Captain Semmes +makes the following statements: + +"At the end of the engagement, it was discovered by those of our officers +who went alongside the enemy's ship with the wounded, that her midship +section on both sides was thoroughly iron-coated; _this having been done +with chain constructed for the purpose_, (_!_) placed perpendicularly from +the rail to the water's edge, the whole covered over by a thin outer +planking, which gave no indication of the armour beneath. This planking +had been ripped off in every direction (!) by our shot and shell, the +chain broken and indented in many places, and forced partly into the +ship's side. She was most effectually guarded, however, in this section +from penetration." + +"The enemy was heavier than myself, both in ship, battery, and crew, (!) +_but I did not know until the action was over that she was also +iron-clad_." + +"Those of our officers who went alongside the enemy's ship with our +wounded." As soon as Captain Semmes reached the Deerhound, the yacht +steamed off at full speed towards Southampton, and Semmes wrote his report +of the fight either in England, or on board the English vessel. Probably +the former, for he dates his communication to Mr. Mason--"Southampton, +June 21, 1864." How did he obtain intelligence from those of his officers +"who went alongside the enemy's ship," and who would naturally be detained +as prisoners of war? It was impossible for anybody to reach Southampton in +the time specified; nevertheless he did obtain such information. One of +his officers--George T. Fullam, an Englishman unfortunately--came to the +Kearsarge in a boat at the close of the action, representing the Alabama +to be sinking, and that if the Kearsarge did not hasten to get out boats +to save life, the crew must go down with her. Not a moment was to be lost, +and he offered to go back to his own vessel to bring off prisoners, +pledging his honour to return when the object was accomplished. After +picking up several men struggling in the water, he steered directly for +the Deerhound, and on reaching her actually cast his boat adrift. It was +subsequently picked up by the Kearsarge. Fullam's name appears amongst the +list of "saved" by the Deerhound; and he, with others of the Alabama's +officers who had received a similar permission from their captors, and had +similarly broken their troth, of course gave the above information to +their veracious Captain. + +The chain-plating of the Kearsarge was decided upon in this wise. The +vessel lay off Fayal towards the latter part of April, 1863, on the look +out for a notorious blockade-runner, named the "Juno." The Kearsarge being +short of coal, and, fearing some attempts at opposition on the part of her +prey, the first officer of the sloop, Lieutenant-commander James S. +Thornton, suggested to Captain Winslow the advisability of hanging her two +sheet-anchor cables over her sides, so as to protect her midship section. +Mr. Thornton had served on board the flag-ship of Admiral Farragut, the +"Hartford" when she and the rest of the Federal fleet ran the forts of the +Mississippi to reach New Orleans; and he made the suggestion at Fayal +through having seen the advantage gained by it on that occasion. I now +copy the following extract from the log-book of the Kearsarge: + + "HORTA BAY, FAYAL (_May 1st, 1863._) + + "_From 8 to Merid._ Wind E.N.E. (F 2). Weather b. c. Strapped, loaded, + and fused (5 sec. fuse) 13 XI-inch shell. Commenced armour plating + ship, using sheet chain. Weighed kedge anchor. + + "(Signed) E. M. STODDARD, _Acting Master_." + +This operation of chain-armouring took three days, and was effected +without assistance from the shore and at an expense of material of +seventy-five dollars (£15). In order to make the addition less unsightly, +the chains were boxed over with 3/4-inch deal boards, forming a case, or +box, which stood out at right angles from the vessel's sides. This box +would naturally excite curiosity in every port where the Kearsarge +touched, and no mystery was made as to what the boarding covered. Captain +Semmes was perfectly cognizant of the entire affair, notwithstanding his +shameless assertion of ignorance; for he spoke about it to his officers +and crew several days prior to the 19th of June, declaring that the chains +were only attached together with rope-yarns, and would drop into the water +when struck with the first shot. I was so informed by his own wounded men +lying in the naval hospital at Cherbourg. Whatever might be the value for +defence of this chain-plating, it was only struck once during the +engagement, so far as I could discover by a long and close inspection. +Some of the officers of the Kearsarge asserted to me that it was struck +twice, whilst others deny that declaration: in one spot, however, a +32-pounder shot broke in the deal covering and smashed a single link, +two-thirds of which fell into the water. The remainder is in my +possession, and proves to be of the ordinary 5-1/4-inch chain. Had the +cable been struck by the rifled 120-pounder instead of by a 32, the result +might have been different; but in any case the damage would have amounted +to nothing serious, for the vessel's side was hit five feet above the +water-line and nowhere in the vicinity of the boilers or machinery. +Captain Semmes evidently regarded this protection of the chains as little +worth, for he might have adopted the same plan before engaging the +Kearsarge; but he confined himself to taking on board 150 tons of coal _as +a protection to his boilers_, which, in addition to the 200 tons already +in his bunkers, would bring him pretty low in the water. The Kearsarge, on +the contrary, was deficient in her coal, and she took what was necessary +on board during my stay at Cherbourg. + +The quantity of chain used on each side of the vessel in this +much-talked-of armouring is only 120 fathoms, and it covers a space +amidships of 49 ft. 6 in. in length, by 6 ft. 2 in. in depth.[3] The +chain, which is single, not double, was and is stopped to eye-bolts with +rope-yarn and by iron dogs.[4] Is it reasonable to suppose that this +plating of 1-7/10-inch iron (the thickness of the links of the chain) +could offer any serious resistance to the heavy 68-pounder and the 7 in. +Blakely rifle of the Alabama--at the comparatively close range of 700 +yards? What then becomes of the mistaken remark of the _Times_ that the +Kearsarge was "provided, as it turned out, with some special contrivances +for protection," or Semmes' declaration that she was "iron-clad?" "The +Career of the Alabama," in referring to this chain-plating, says--"Another +advantage accruing from this was that it sank her very low in the water, +so low in fact, that the heads of the men who were in the boats were on +the level of the Kearsarge's deck." It is simply ridiculous to suppose +that the weight of 240 fathoms of chain could have any such effect upon a +vessel of one thousand tons burden; whilst, in addition, the cable itself +was part of the ordinary equipment of the ship. Further, the supply of +coal on board the Kearsarge at the time of action was only 120 tons, while +the Alabama had 350 tons on board. + +The objection that the Alabama was short-handed does not appear to be +borne out by the facts of the case; while, on the other hand, a greater +number of men than were necessary to work the guns and ship would be more +of a detriment than a benefit to the Kearsarge. The latter vessel had 22 +officers on board, and 140 men: the Alabama is represented to have had +only 120 in her crew, (Mr. Mason's statement,) but if her officers be +included in this number, the assertion is obviously incorrect, for the +Kearsarge saved 67,[5] the Deerhound 41, and the French pilot-boats 12, +and this, without mentioning the 13 accounted for as killed and +wounded,[6] and others who went down with the ship. When the Alabama +arrived at Cherbourg, her officers and crew numbered 149. This information +was given by captains of American vessels who were held as prisoners on +board the privateer after the destruction of their ships; and their +information is indorsed by the captured officers of the Alabama now on +board the Kearsarge. It is known also that many persons tried to get on +board the Alabama while she lay in Cherbourg; but this the police +prevented as far as lay in their power. If Captain Semmes' representation +were correct in regard to his being short-handed, he certainly ought not +to be trusted with the command of a vessel again, however much he may be +esteemed by some parties for his Quixotism in challenging an +antagonist--to use his own words--"heavier than myself both in ship, +battery, and crew." + +The asserted unpreparedness of the Alabama is about as truthful as the +other representations, if we may take Captain Semmes' report, and certain +facts, in rebutting evidence. The Captain writes to Mr. Mason, "I cannot +deny myself the pleasure of saying that Mr. Kell, my First Lieutenant, +deserves great credit for the fine condition the ship was in when she went +into action;" but if Captain Semmes were right in the alleged want of +preparation, he himself is alone to blame. He had ample time for +protecting his vessel and crew in all possible manners; he, not the +Kearsarge was the aggressor; and but for his forcing the fight, the +Alabama might still be riding inside Cherbourg breakwater. Notwithstanding +the horrible cause for which he is struggling, and the atrocious +depredations he has committed upon helpless merchantmen, we can still +admire the daring he evinced in sallying forth from a secure haven and +gallantly attacking his opponent; but when he professes ignorance of the +character of his antagonist, and unworthily attempts to disparage the +victory of his foe, we forget all our first sympathies, and condemn the +moral nature of the man, as he has forced us to do his judgment. + +Nor must it be forgotten that the Kearsarge has had fewer opportunities +for repairs than the Alabama, and that she has been cruising around in all +seas _for a much longer period than her antagonist_.[7] The Alabama, on +the contrary, had lain for many days in Cherbourg, and she only steamed +forth when her Captain supposed her to be in, at all events, as good a +condition as the enemy. + + +THE CHALLENGE. + +Finally, the challenge to fight was given by the Alabama to the Kearsarge, +not by the Kearsarge to the Alabama. "The Career of the Alabama," above +referred to makes the following romantic statement: + +"When he (Semmes) was challenged by the commander of the Kearsarge, +everybody in Cherbourg, it appears, said it would be disgraceful if he +refused the challenge, and this, coupled with his belief that the +Kearsarge was not so strong as she really proved to be, made him agree to +fight." (p. 41.) + +On the Tuesday after the battle, and before leaving London for Cherbourg, +I was shown a telegram by a member of the House of Commons, forwarded to +him that morning. The telegram was addressed to one of the gentleman's +constituents by his son, a sailor on board the Alabama, and was dated "C. +S. S. Alabama, Cherbourg, June 14th," the sender stating that they were +about to engage the Kearsarge on the morrow, or next day. I have not a +copy of this telegram, but "The Career of the Alabama" gives a letter to +the like effect from the surgeon of the privateer, addressed to a +gentleman of this city. The letter reads as follows: + + "CHERBOURG, _June 14, 1864_. + + DEAR TRAVERS--Here we are. I send this by a gentleman coming to + London. An enemy is outside. _If she only stays long enough, we go out + and fight her._ If I live, expect to see me in London shortly. If I + die, give my best love to all who know me. If Monsieur A. de Caillet + should call on you, please show him every attention. + + "I remain, dear Travers, ever yours, + "D. H. LLEWELLYN." + +There were two brave gentlemen on board the Alabama--poor Llewellyn, who +nobly refused to save his own life, by leaving his wounded, and a young +Lieutenant, Mr. Joseph Wilson, who honourably delivered up his sword on +the deck of the Kearsarge, when the other officers threw theirs into the +water. + +The most unanswerable proof of Captain Semmes having challenged the +commander of the Kearsarge is to be found in the following letter +addressed by him to the Confederate consul, or agent, at Cherbourg. After +the publication of this document, it is to be hoped we shall hear no more +of Captain Winslow's having committed such a breach of discipline and +etiquette as that of challenging a rebel against his Government. + + +CAPTAIN SEMMES' CHALLENGE TO THE KEARSARGE. + + "C. S. S. ALABAMA, + "CHERBOURG, _June 14, 1864_. + + "To Ad. BONFILS, _Cherbourg_: + + "SIR--I hear that you were informed by the U. S. Consul, that the + Kearsarge was to come to this port solely for the prisoners landed by + me,[8] and that she was to depart in twenty-four hours. I desire you + to say to the U. S. Consul, that my intention is to fight the + Kearsarge as soon as I can make the necessary arrangements. I hope + these will not detain me more than until tomorrow evening, or after + the morrow morning at farthest. I beg she will not depart before I am + ready to go out. + + "I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, + + "R. SEMMES, _Captain_." + +Numerous facts serve to prove that Captain Semmes had made every +preparation to engage the Kearsarge, and that wide-spread publicity had +been given to his intention. As soon as the arrival of the Federal vessel +was known at Paris, an American gentleman of high position came down to +Cherbourg, with instructions for Captain Winslow; but so desirous were the +French authorities to preserve a really honest neutrality, that permission +was only granted to him to sail to her after his promise to return to +shore immediately on the delivery of his message. Once back in Cherbourg, +and about to return to Paris, he was advised to remain over night, _as the +Alabama intended to fight the Kearsarge next day_ (Sunday). On Sunday +morning, an excursion train arrived from the Capital, and the visitors +were received at the terminus of the railway by the boatmen of the port, +who offered them boats for the purpose of seeing _a genuine naval battle +which was to take place during the day_. Turning such a memorable +occurrence to practical uses, Monsieur Rondin, a celebrated photographic +artist on the _Place d'Armes_ at Cherbourg, prepared the necessary +chemicals, plates, and _camera_, and placed himself on the summit of the +old church tower which the whilome denizens of Cherbourg had very properly +built in happy juxtaposition with his establishment. I was only able to +see the negative, but that was quite sufficient to show that the artist +had obtained a very fine view indeed of the exciting contest. Five days, +however, had elapsed since Captain Semmes sent his challenge to Captain +Winslow through the Confederate agent, Monsieur Bonfils; surely time +sufficient for him to make all the preparations which he considered +necessary. Meanwhile the Kearsarge was cruising to and fro at sea, outside +the breakwater. + +The Kearsarge reached Cherbourg on the 14th, and her Captain only heard of +Captain Semmes' intention to fight him on the following day. Five days, +however, elapsed before the Alabama put in an appearance, and her exit +from the harbour was heralded by the English yacht Deerhound. The officer +on watch aboard the Kearsarge made out a three-masted vessel steaming from +the harbour, the movements of which were somewhat mysterious; after +remaining a short time only, this steamer, which subsequently proved to be +the Deerhound, went back into port; only returning to sea a few minutes in +advance of the Alabama, and the French iron-clad La Couronne. Mr. +Lancaster, her owner, sends a copy of his log to the _Times_, the first +two entries being as follows: + +"Sunday, June 19, 9 A. M.--Got up steam and proceeded out of Cherbourg +harbour. + +"10.30.--Observed the 'Alabama' steaming out of the harbour towards the +Federal steamer 'Kearsarge.'"[9] + +Mr. Lancaster does not inform us why an English gentleman should choose a +Sunday morning, of all days in the week, to cruise about at an early hour +with ladies on board, nor does he supply the public with information as to +the movements of the Deerhound during the hour and a half which elapsed +between his exit from the harbour and the appearance of the Alabama. The +preceding paragraph, however, supplies the omission. + + +THE ENGAGEMENT. + +At length the Alabama made her appearance in company with the Couronne, +the latter vessel conveying her outside the limit of French waters. Here +let me pay a tribute to the careful neutrality of the French authorities. +No sooner was the limit of jurisdiction reached, than the Couronne put +down her helm, and without any delay, steamed back into port, not even +lingering outside the breakwater to witness the fight. Curiosity, if not +worse, anchored the English vessel in handy vicinity to the combatants. +Her presence proved to be of much utility, for she picked up no less than +fourteen of the Alabama's officers, and among them the redoubtable Semmes +himself. + +So soon as the Alabama was made out, the Kearsarge immediately headed +seaward and steamed off the coast, the object being to get a sufficient +distance from the land so as to obviate any possible infringement of +French jurisdiction; and, secondly, that in case of the battle going +against the Alabama, the latter could not retreat into port. When this was +accomplished, the Kearsarge was turned shortly round and steered +immediately for the Alabama, Captain Winslow desiring to get within close +range, as his guns were shotted with five-seconds shell. The interval +between the two vessels being reduced to a mile, or thereabouts, the +Alabama sheered and discharged a broadside, nearly a raking fire, at the +Kearsarge. More speed was given to the latter to shorten the distance, and +a slight sheer to prevent raking. The Alabama fired a second broadside and +part of a third while her antagonist was closing; and at the expiration of +ten or twelve minutes from the Alabama's opening shot, the Kearsarge +discharged her first broadside. The action henceforward continued in a +circle, the distance between the two vessels being about seven hundred +yards; this, at all events, is the opinion of the Federal commander and +his officers, for their guns were sighted at that range, and their shell +burst in and over the privateer. The speed of the two vessels during the +engagement did not exceed eight knots the hour. + +At the expiration of one hour and two minutes from the first gun, the +Alabama hauled down her colours and fired a lee gun (according to the +statements of her officers), in token of surrender. Captain Winslow could +not, however, believe that the enemy had struck, as his own vessel had +received so little damage, and he could not regard his antagonist as much +more injured than himself; and it was only when a boat came off from the +Alabama that her true condition was known. The 11-inch shell from the +Kearsarge, thrown with fifteen pounds of powder at seven hundred yards +range, had gone clean through the starboard side of the privateer, +bursting in the port side and tearing great gaps in her timber and +planking. This was plainly obvious when the Alabama settled by the stern +and raised the forepart of her hull high out of water. + +The Kearsarge was struck twenty-seven times during the conflict, and fired +in all one hundred and seventy three (173) shots. These were as follows: + +SHOTS FIRED BY THE KEARSARGE. + + Two 11-inch guns 55 shots. + Rifle in forecastle 48 " + Broadside 32-pdrs 60 " + 12-pdr. boat howitzer 10 " + --------- + Total, 173 shots. + +The last-named gun performed no part whatever in sinking the Alabama, and +was only used in the action to create laughter among the sailors. Two old +quarter-masters, the two Dromios of the Kearsarge, were put in charge of +this gun, with instructions to fire when they received the order. But the +two old salts, little relishing the idea of having nothing to do while +their messmates were so actively engaged, commenced peppering away with +their pea-shooter of a piece, alternating their discharges with +vituperation of each other. This low-comedy by-play amused the ship's +company, and the officers good-humoredly allowed the farce to continue +until the single box of ammunition was exhausted. + + +DAMAGE TO THE KEARSARGE. + +The Kearsarge was struck as follows: + + One shot through starboard quarter, taking a slanting direction aft, + and lodging in the rudder post. This shot was from the Blakely rifle. + + One shot, carrying away starboard life-buoy. + + Three 32-pounder shots through port bulwarks, forward of mizzen-mast. + + A shell, exploding after end of pivot port. + + A shell, exploding after end of chain-plating. + + A 68-lb. shell, passing through starboard bulwarks below main rigging, + wounding three men--the only casualties amongst the crew during the + engagement. + + A Blakely-rifle shell, passing through the engine-room sky-light, and + dropping harmlessly in the water beyond the vessel. + + Two shots below plank-sheer, abreast of boiler hatch. + + One forward pivot port plank sheer. + + One forward foremast-rigging. + + A shot striking Launch's toping-lift. + + A rifle-shell, passing through funnel, bursting without damage inside. + + One, starboard forward main-shroud. + + One, starboard after-shroud main-topmast rigging. + + One, main topsail tye. + + One, main topsail outhaul. + + One, main topsail runner. + + Two, through port-quarter boat. + + One, through spanker (furled). + + One, starboard forward shroud, mizzen rigging. + + One, starboard mizzen-topmast backstay. + + One, through mizzen peak-signal halyards, which cut the stops when the + battle was nearly over, and for the first time let loose the flag to + the breeze. + +This list of damages received by the Kearsarge proves the exceedingly bad +fire of the Alabama, notwithstanding the numbers of men on board the +latter belonging to our "Naval Reserve," and the trained hands from the +gunnery ship "Excellent." I was informed by some of the paroled prisoners +on shore at Cherbourg that Captain Semmes fired rapidly at the +commencement of the action "in order to frighten the Yankees," nearly all +the officers and crew being, as he was well aware, merely volunteers from +the merchant service.[10] At the expiration of twenty minutes after the +Kearsarge discharged the first broadside, continuing the battle in a +leisurely, cool manner, Semmes remarked: "Confound them; they've been +fighting twenty minutes, and they're as cool as posts." The probabilities +are that the crew of the Federal vessel had learnt not to regard as +dangerous the rapid and hap-hazard practice of the Alabama. + +From the time of her first reaching Cherbourg until she finally quitted +the port, the Kearsarge never received the slightest assistance from +shore, with the exception of that rendered by a boiler maker in patching +up her funnel. Every other repair was completed by her own hands, and she +might have crossed the Atlantic immediately after the action without +difficulty. So much for Mr. Lancaster's statement that "the Kearsarge was +apparently much disabled." + + +SEMMES' DESIGN TO BOARD THE KEARSARGE. + +The first accounts received of the action led us to suppose that Captain +Semmes' intention was to lay his vessel alongside the enemy, and to carry +her by boarding. Whether this information came from the Captain himself or +was made out of "whole cloth" by some of his admirers, the idea of +boarding a vessel under steam--unless her engines, or screw, or rudder be +disabled--is manifestly ridiculous. The days of boarding are gone by, +except under the contingencies above stated; and any such attempt on the +part of the Alabama would have been attended with disastrous results to +herself and crew. To have boarded the Kearsarge, Semmes must have +possessed greater speed to enable him to run alongside her; and the moment +the pursuer came near her victim, the latter would shut off steam, drop +astern in a second of time, sheer off, discharge her whole broadside of +grape and canister, and rake her antagonist from stern to stem. Our +pro-southern sympathizers really ought not to make their _protegé_ appear +ridiculous by ascribing to him such an egregious intention. + + +NATIONALITY OF THE CREW OF THE KEARSARGE + +It has frequently been asserted that the major portion of the Northern +armies is composed of foreigners, and the same statement is made in +reference to the crews of the American Navy. The report got abroad in +Cherbourg that the victory of the Kearsarge was due to her having taken on +board a number of French gunners at Brest; and an admiral of the French +Navy asked me in perfectly good faith whether it were not the fact. It +will not, therefore, be out of place to give the names and nationalities +of the officers and crew on board the Kearsarge during her action with the +Alabama. + +OFFICERS OF THE U.S.S. KEARSARGE, JUNE 19, 1864. + + NAMES. RANK. NATIVE OF + John A. Winslow Captain North Carolina[11] + James S. Thornton Lieut. Commander New Hampshire + John M. Browne Surgeon " + J. Adams Smith Paymaster Maine + Wm. H. Cushman Chief Engineer Pennsylvania + James R. Wheeler Acting Master Massachusetts + Eben. M. Stoddard " " Connecticut + David H. Sumner " " Maine + Wm. H. Badlam 2d Asst. Engr. Massachusetts + Fred. L. Miller 3d " " " + Sidney L. Smith " " " " + Henry McConnell " " " Pennsylvania + Edward E. Preble Midshipman Maine + Daniel B. Sargent Paymaster's Clerk " + S. E. Hartwell Captain's Clerk Massachusetts + Franklin A. Graham Gunner Pennsylvania + James C. Walton Boatswain " + Wm. H. Yeaton Acting Master's Mate United States + Chas. H. Danforth " " " Massachusetts + Ezra Bartlett " " " New Hampshire + George A. Tittle Surgeon's Steward United States + Carsten B. De Witt Yeoman United States + + +CREW OF THE U.S.S. KEARSARGE, JUNE 19, 1864. + + NAMES. RATE. NATIVE OF + Jason N. Watrus Master-at-arms United States + Charles Jones Seaman " + Daniel Charter Landsman " + Edward Williams Officers' Steward " + George Williams Landsman " + Charles Butts Quartermaster " + Charles Redding Landsman " + James Wilson Coxswain " + William Gowen (died) Ordinary seaman " + James Saunders Quartermaster " + John W. Dempsey Quarter-gunner " + William D. Chapel Landsman " + Thomas Perry Boatswain's-mate " + John Barrow Ordinary seaman " + William Bond Boatswain's-mate " + James Haley Capt. of Fo'castle " + Robert Strahn Capt. Top " + Jas. O. Stone 1st class boy " + Jacob Barth Landsman " + Jno. H. McCarthey " " + Jas. F. Hayes " " + John Hayes Coxswain " + James Devine Landsman " + George H. Russell Armourer " + Patrick McKeever Landsman " + Nathan Ives " " + Dennis McCarty " " + John Boyle Ordinary seaman " + John C. Woodberry " " + George E. Read Seaman " + James Morey Ordinary seaman " + Benedict Drury Seaman " + William Giles " " + Timothy Hurley Ship's Cook " + Michael Conroy Ordinary seaman " + Levi W. Nye Seaman " + James H. Lee " " + John E. Brady Ordinary seaman " + Andrew J. Rowley Quarter-gunner " + James Bradley Seaman " + William Ellis Capt. Hold " + Henry Cook " After-guard " + Charles A. Read Seaman " + Wm. S. Morgan " " + Joshua E. Carey Sailmaker's mate " + James Magee Ordinary seaman " + Benjamin S. Davis Officers' Cook " + John F. Bickford Coxswain " + William Gurney Seaman " + William Smith Quartermaster " + Lawrence T. Crowley Ordinary seaman " + Hugh McPherson Gunner's mate " + Taran Phillips Ordinary seaman " + Joachim Pease Seaman " + Benj. H. Blaisdell 1st Class Fireman " + Joel B. Blaisdell 1st Class Fireman " + Charles Fisher Officers' Cook " + James Henson Landsman " + Wm. M. Smith " " + William Fisher " " + George Bailey " " + Martin Hoyt " " + Mark G. Ham Carpenter's-mate " + William H. Bastine Landsman " + Leyman P. Spinney Coal-Heaver " + George E. Smart 2d Class Fireman " + Charle A. Poole Coal-Heaver " + Timothy Lynch " " + Will. H. Donnally 1st Class Fireman " + Sylvanus P. Brackett Coal-Heaver " + John W. Sanborn " " + Adoniram Littlefield " " + John W. Young " " + Will. Wainwright " " + Jno. E. Orchon 2d Class Fireman " + Geo. W. Remick 1st " " " + Joel L. Sanborn " " " " + Jere Young " " " " + William Smith " " " " + Stephen Smith 2d " " " + John F. Stackpole " " " " + William Stanley " " " " + Lyman H. Hartford " " " " + True W. Priest 1st " " " + Joseph Dugan " " " " + John F. Dugan Coal-Heaver " + Jas. W. Sheffield 2d Class Fireman " + Chas. T. Young Orderly Sergeant " + Austin Quimley Corporal of Marines " + Roscoe G. Dolley Private " " " + Patrick Flood " " " " + Henry Hobson Corporal " " " + James Kerrigan Private " " " + John McAleen Private of Marines " + George A. Raymond " " " " + James Tucker " " " " + Isaac Thornton " " " " + Wm. Y. Evans Nurse " + Wm. B. Poole Quartermaster " + F. J. Veannoh Capt. Afterguard " + Charles Hill Landsman " + Henry Jameson 1st Class Fireman " + John G. Batchelder Private of Marines " + Jno. Dwyer 1st Class Fireman " + Thomas Salmon 2d " " " + Patrick O. Conner " " " " + Geo. H. Harrison Ordinary seaman " + Geo. Andrew " " " + Charles Moore Seaman " + Geo. A. Whipple Ordinary seaman " + Edward Wallace Seaman " + Thomas Marsh Coal-Heaver " + Thomas Buckley Ordinary seaman " + Edward Wilt Capt. Top " + George H. Kinne Ordinary seaman " + Augustus Johnson Seaman " + Jeremiah Horrigan " " + Wm. O'Halloran " " + Wm. Turner " " + Joshua Collins Ordinary seaman " + James McBeath " " " + John Pope Coal-Heaver " + Charles Mattison Ordinary seaman " + George Baker Seaman " + Timothy G. Cauty " " + John Shields " " + Thomas Alloway " " + Phillip Weeks " " + William Barnes Landsman " + Wm. Alsdorf " Holland + Clement Antoine Coal-Heaver Western Islands + Jose Dabney Landsman Western Islands + Benj. Button Coal-Heaver Malay " + Jean Briset " France + Vanburn Francois Landsman Holland + Peter Ludy Seaman " + George English " England + Jonathan Brien Landsman " + Manuel J. Gallardo 2d Class Boy Spain + John M. Sonius 1st " " Holland + +It thus appears that out of one hundred and sixty-three (163) officers and +crew of the sloop-of-war Kearsarge, there are only eleven (11) persons +foreign born. + +The following is the Surgeon's report of casualties amongst the crew of +the Kearsarge during the action: + + "U. S. S. S. KEARSARGE, + "CHERBOURG, FRANCE, + "_Afternoon, June 19, 1864_. + + "Sir--I report the following casualties resulting from the engagement + this morning with the steamer 'Alabama.' + + JOHN W. DEMPSEY, Quarter-gunner. Compound comminuted fracture of right + arm, lower third, and fore-arm. Arm amputated. + + WILLIAM GOWEN, Ordinary seaman. Compound fracture of left thigh and + leg. Seriously wounded. + + JAMES MCBEATH, Ordinary seaman. Compound fracture of left leg. + Severely wounded. + + I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, + + JOHN M. BROWNE, + Surgeon U. S. Navy. + + "Captain JOHN A. WINSLOW, + "Comd'g U. S. S. S. Kearsarge, Cherbourg." + +All these men were wounded by the same shot, a 68-pounder, which passed +through the starboard bulwarks below main-rigging, narrowly escaping the +after 11-inch pivot-gun. The fuses employed by the Alabama were +villainously bad, several shells having lodged in the Kearsarge without +taking effect. Had the 7-inch rifle shot exploded which entered the vessel +at the starboard quarter, raising the deck by its concussion several +inches and lodging in the rudder-post, the action might have lasted some +time longer. It would not, however, have altered the result, for the +casualty occurred towards the close of the conflict. During my visit, I +witnessed the operation of cutting out a 32-pounder shell (time fuse) from +the rail close forward of the fore pivot 11-inch port; the officer in +charge of the piece informed me that the concussion actually raised the +gun and carriage, and, had it exploded, many of the crew would have been +injured by the fragments and splinters. + +Among the incidents of the fight, some of our papers relate that a 11-inch +shell from the Kearsarge fell upon the deck of the Alabama, and was +immediately taken up and thrown overboard. Probably no fight ever occurred +in modern times in which somebody didn't pick up a live shell and throw it +out of harm's way; but we may be permitted to doubt in this case--5-second +fuses take effect somewhat rapidly; the shot weighs considerably more than +a hundred-weight, and is uncomfortably difficult to lay hold of. Worse +than all for the probabilities of the story, fifteen pounds of +powder--never more nor less--were used to every shot fired from the +11-inch pivots, the Kearsarge only opening fire from them when within +eight hundred yards of the Alabama. With 15 pounds of powder and fifteen +degrees of elevation, I have myself seen these 11-inch Dahlgrens throw +three and a half miles; and yet we are asked to credit that, with the same +charge at less than half a mile, one of the shells _fell_ upon the deck of +the privateer. There are eleven marines in the crew of the Kearsarge: +probably the story was made for them. + + +THE REPORTED FIRING UPON THE ALABAMA AFTER HER SURRENDER. + +Captain Semmes makes the following statement in his official report: + +"Although we were now but 400 yards from each other, the enemy fired upon +me five times after my colours had been struck. It is charitable to +suppose that a ship of war of a Christian nation could not have done this +intentionally." + +A very nice appeal after the massacre of Fort Pillow, especially when +coming from a man who has spent the previous two years of his life in +destroying unresisting merchantmen. + +The Captain of the Kearsarge was never aware of the Alabama having struck +until a boat put off from her to his own vessel. Prisoners subsequently +stated that she had fired a lee-gun, but the fact was not known on board +the Federal ship, nor that the colours were hauled down in token of +surrender. A single fact will prove the humanity with which Captain +Winslow conducted the fight. At the close of the action, his deck was +found to be literally covered with grape and canister, ready for close +quarters; but he had never used a single charge of all this during the +contest, although within capital range for employing it. + + +THE FEELING AFTER THE BATTLE. + +The wounded of the two vessels were transferred shortly after the action +to the Naval Hospital at Cherbourg. I paid a visit to that establishment +on the Sunday following the engagement, and found the sufferers lying in +comfortable beds alongside each other in a long and admirably ventilated +ward on the first floor. Poor Gowen, who died the following Tuesday, was +in great pain, and already had the seal of death upon his face. James +McBeath, a young fellow of apparently twenty years, with a compound +fracture of the leg, chatted with much animation; while Dempsey, the stump +of his right arm laid on the pillow, was comfortably smoking a cigar, and +laughing and talking with one of the Alabama crew, in the bed alongside +him. The wounded men of the sunken privateer were unmistakably English in +physiognomy, and I failed to discover any who were not countrymen of ours. +I conversed with all of them, stating at the outset that I was an +Englishman like themselves, and the information seemed to open their +hearts to me. They represented themselves as very comfortable at the +hospital, that every thing they asked for was given to them, and that +they were surprised at the kindness of the Kearsarge men who came to visit +the establishment, when they were assured by their own officers before the +action that foul treatment would only be shown them in the event of their +capture. Condoling with one poor fellow who had his leg carried away by a +shell, he remarked to me, "Ah, it serves me right! they won't catch me +fighting again without knowing what I'm fighting for." "That's me too," +said another poor Englishman alongside of him. + +The paroled prisoners (four officers) on shore at Cherbourg, evinced no +hostility whatever to their captors, but were always on the friendliest of +terms with them. All alike frequented the same hotel in the town +(curiously enough--"The Eagle,") played billiards at the same _café_, and +bought their pipes, cigars, and tobacco from the same pretty little +_brunette_ on the _Quai du Port_. + +The following are the names of the officers and crew of the Alabama, saved +by the Kearsarge: + + Francis L. Galt, of Virginia, Assistant Surgeon. + Joseph Wilson, Third Lieutenant. + Miles J. Freeman, Engineer, _Englishman_. + John W. Pundt, Third Assistant Engineer. + Benjamin L. McCaskey, Boatswain. + William Forrestall, Quartermaster, _Englishman_. + Thomas Potter, Fireman, " + Samuel Williams, " _Welshman_. + Patrick Bradley, " _Englishman_. + John Orrigin, Fireman, _Irishman_. + George Freemantle, Seaman, _Englishman_. + Edgar Tripp, " " + John Neil, " " + Thomas Winter, Fireman, " + Martin King, Seaman. + Joseph Pearson, " " + James Hicks, Capt. Hold, " + R. Parkinson, Wardroom Steward, " + John Emory, Seaman, " + Thomas L. Parker, boy, " + Peter Hughes, Capt. Top, " + +(All the above belonged to the Alabama when she first sailed from the +Mersey, and John Neil, John Emory, and Peter Hughes belong to the "Royal +Naval Reserve.") + +Seamen.--William Clark, David Leggett, Samuel Henry, John Russell, John +Smith, Henry McCoy, Edward Bussell, James Ochure, John Casen, Henry +Higgin, Frank Hammond, Michael Shields, David Thurston, George Peasey, +Henry Yates. + +Ordinary Seamen.--Henry Godsen, David Williams, Henry Hestlake, Thomas +Watson, John Johnson, Match Maddock, Richard Evans, William Miller, George +Cousey, Thomas Brandon. + +Coxswains.--William McKenzie, James Broderick, William Wilson. + + Edward Rawes, Master-at-Arms. + Henry Tucker, Officers' Cook. + William Barnes, Quarter-gunner. + Jacob Verbor, Seaman, } + Robert Wright, Capt. M. Top, } _Wounded_. + Wm. McGuire, Capt. F. Top, } + Wm. McGinley, Coxswain, } + John Benson, Coal-Heaver. + James McGuire, " + Frank Currian, Fireman. + Peter Laperty, " + John Riley, " + Nicholas Adams, Landsman. + James Clemens, Yeoman. + James Wilson, Boy. + +These men, almost without exception, are subjects of Her Majesty the +Queen. There were also three others, who died in the boats, names not +known. + +The following are those reported to have been killed or drowned: + + David Herbert Llewellyn, Surgeon, _Welshman_. + William Robinson, Carpenter. + James King, Master-at-Arms, _Savannah Pilot_. + Peter Duncan, Fireman, _Englishman_. + Andrew Shillings, _Scotchman_. + Charles Puist, Coal-passer, _German_. + Frederick Johns, Purser's Steward, _Englishman_. + Samuel Henry, Seaman, " + John Roberts, " _Welshman_. + Peter Henry, " _Irishman_. + George Appleby, Yeoman, _Englishman_. + A. G. Bartelli, Seaman, _Portuguese_. + Henry Fisher, " _Englishman_. + +The above all belonged to the original crew of the Alabama. + +The Deerhound carried off, according to her own account, forty-one; the +names of the following are known: + + Raphael Semmes, Captain. + John M. Kell, First Lieutenant. + Arthur Sinclair, Jun., Second Lieutenant. + R. K. Howell, Lieutenant of Marines. + (This person is brother-in-law of Mr. Jefferson Davis.) + W. H. Sinclair, Midshipman. + J. S. Bullock, Acting Master. + E. A. Maffit, Midshipman. + E. M. Anderson, " + M. O'Brien, Third Assistant Surgeon. + George T. Fullam, Master's Mate, _Englishman_. + James Evans, " + Max Meulnier, " + J. Schrader, " + W. B. Smith, Captain's Clerk. + J. O. Cuddy, Gunner. + J. G. Dent, Quartermaster. + James McFadgen, Fireman, _Englishman_. + Orran Duffy, Fireman, _Irishman_. + W. Crawford, _Englishman_. + Brent Johnson, Second Boat Mate, " + William Nevins, " + William Hearn, Seaman, " + +The last four belong to the "Royal Naval Reserve." + + +MOVEMENTS OF THE ENGLISH YACHT DEERHOUND. + +That an English yacht, one belonging to the Royal Yacht Squadron, and +flying the White Ensign, too, during the conflict, should have assisted +the Confederate prisoners to escape after they had formally surrendered +themselves, according to their own statement, by firing a lee-gun, +striking their colours, hoisting a white flag, and sending a boat to the +Kearsarge--some of which signals must have been witnessed from the deck of +the Deerhound, is most humiliating to the national honour. The movements +of the yacht early on Sunday morning were as before shown, most +suspicious; and had Captain Winslow followed the advice and reiterated +requests of his officers when she steamed off, the Deerhound might now +have been lying not far distant from the Alabama. Captain Winslow however, +could not believe that a gentleman who was asked by himself "to save life" +would use the opportunity to decamp with the officers and men who, +according to their own act, were prisoners-of-war. There is high +presumptive evidence that the Deerhound was at Cherbourg for the express +purpose of rendering every assistance possible to the corsair; and we may +be permitted to doubt whether Mr. Lancaster, the friend of Mr. Laird, and +a member of the Mersey Yacht Club, would have carried Captain Winslow and +his officers to Southampton if the result of the struggle had been +reversed, and the Alabama had sent the Kearsarge to the bottom. + +The Deerhound reached Cherbourg on the 17th of June, and between that time +and the night of the 18th, boats were observed from the shore passing +frequently between her and the Alabama. It is reported that English +gunners come over from England purposely to assist the privateer in the +fight; this I heard before leaving London, and the assertion was repeated +to me again at Havre, Honfleur, Cherbourg, and Paris. If this be the fact, +how did the men reach Cherbourg? On the 14th of June, Captain Semmes sends +his challenge to the Kearsarge through Monsieur Bonfils, stating it to be +his intention to fight her "as soon as I can make the necessary +arrangements." Two full days elapse, during which he takes on board 150 +tons additional of coal, and places for security in the Custom House the +following valuables: + + 38 kilo. 700 gr. of Gold coin, + 6 gr. of Jewelery and set Diamonds, + 2 Gold Watches. + +What then became of the pillage of a hundred merchantmen, the +chronometers, etc., which the _Times_ describes as the "_spolia opima_ of +a whole mercantile fleet?" Those could not be landed on French soil, and +were not: did they go to the bottom with the ship herself, or are they +saved? + +Captain Semmes' preparations are apparently completed on the 16th, but +still he lingers behind the famous breakwater, much to the surprise of his +men. The Deerhound arrives at length, and the preparations are rapidly +completed. How unfortunate that Mr. Lancaster did not favour the _Times_ +with a copy of his log-book from the 12th to the 19th of June inclusive! + +The record of the Deerhound is suggestive on the morning of that memorable +Sunday. She steams out from behind the Cherbourg breakwater at an early +hour,--scouts hither and thither, apparently purposeless--runs back to her +anchorage--precedes the Alabama to sea--is the solitary and close +spectator of the fight whilst the Couronne has the delicacy to return to +port, and finally--having picked up Semmes, thirteen of his officers and a +few of his men--steams off at fullest speed to Southampton, leaving the +"_apparently much-disabled_" _Kearsarge_ (Mr. Lancaster's own words) to +save two-thirds of the Alabama's drowning crew struggling in the water. + +An English gentleman's yacht playing tender to a corsair! No one will ever +believe that Deerhound to be thorough-bred. + + +CONCLUSION. + +Such are the facts relating to the memorable action off Cherbourg on the +19th of June, 1864. The Alabama went down riddled through and through with +shot; and, as she sank beneath the green waves of the Channel, not a +single cheer arose from the victors. The order was given, "Silence, boys," +and in perfect silence this terror of American commerce plunged to her +last resting place. + +There is but one key to the victory. The two vessels were, as nearly as +possible, equals in size, speed, armament and crew, and the contest was +decided by the superiority of the 11-inch Dahlgren guns of the Kearsarge, +over the Blakely rifle and the vaunted 68-pounder of the Alabama, in +conjunction with the greater coolness and surer aim of the former's crew. +The Kearsarge was not, as represented, specially armed and manned for +destroying her foe; but is in every respect similar to all the vessels of +her class (third-rate) in the United States Navy. Moreover, the large +majority of her officers are from the merchant service. + +The French at Cherbourg were by no means dilatory in recognizing the value +of these Dahlgren guns. Officers of all grades, naval and military alike, +crowded the vessel during her stay at their port; and they were all eyes +for the massive pivots and for nothing else. Guns, carriages, even rammers +and sponges, were carefully measured; and, if the pieces can be made in +France, many months will not elapse before their muzzles will be grinning +through the port-holes of French ships-of-war. + +We have no such gun in Europe as this 11-inch Dahlgren, but it is +considered behind the age in America. The 68-pounder is regarded by us as +a heavy piece; in the United States it is the minimum for large vessels; +whilst some ships, the "New Ironsides," "Niagara," "Vanderbilt," etc., +carry the 11-inch _in broadside_. It is considered far too light, however, +for the sea-going ironclads, although throwing a solid shot of 160 pounds; +yet it has made a wonderful stir on both sides of the Channel. What, +then, will be thought of the 15-inch gun, throwing a shot of 480 pounds, +or of the 200-pound Parrot, with its range of five miles? + +We are arming our ironclads with 9-inch smooth-bores and 100-pounder +rifles, whilst the Americans are constructing their armour-ships to resist +the impact of 11 and 15-inch shot. By next June, the United States will +have in commission the following ironclads: + + Dunderberg, 5,090 tons, 10 guns. + Dictator, 3,033 " 2 " + Kalamazoo, 3,200 " 4 " + Passaconaway, 3,200 " 4 " + Puritan, 3,265 " 4 " + Quinsigamond, 3,200 " 4 " + Roanoke, 3,435 " 6 " + Shakamaxon, 3,200 " 4 " + +These, too, without counting six others of "second class," all alike armed +with the tremendous 15-inch, and built to cross the Atlantic in any +season. But it is not in ironclads alone that America is proving her +energy; first, second and third-rates, wooden built, are issuing +constantly from trans-Atlantic yards, and the Navy of the United States +now numbers no less than six hundred vessels and upwards, seventy-three of +which are ironclads. + +This is, indeed, an immense fleet for one nation, but we may, at all +events, rejoice that it will be used to defend--in the words of the wisest +and noblest of English statesmen--"the democratic principle, or, if that +term is offensive, popular sovereignty." + + + + +APPENDIX. + + +LETTER OF CAPTAIN JOHN A. WINSLOW. + +"U. S. S. S. 'KEARSARGE,' OFF DOVER, + +_July 13, 1864_. + +"MY DEAR SIR--I have read the proof-sheet of your pamphlet, entitled 'The +Alabama and the Kearsarge. An Account of the Naval Engagement in the +British Channel on Sunday, June 19, 1864.' I can fully endorse the +pamphlet as giving a fair, unvarnished statement of all the facts both +prior and subsequent to the engagement. + +"With my best wishes, I remain, with feelings of obligation, very truly +yours, + +"JOHN A. WINSLOW. + +"FRED'K M. EDGE, ESQ., + +"LONDON." + + + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[1] The Kearsarge has a four-bladed screw, diameter 12-ft 9-in. with a +pitch of 20-ft. + +[2] _The Career of the Alabama, "No. 290," from July 26, 1862, to June 19, +1864._ London: Dorrell and Son. + +[3] Captain Winslow, in his first hurried report of the engagement, put +the space covered at 20 or 25 feet, believing this to be rather over than +under the mark. The above, however, is the exact measurement. + +[4] There was nothing whatever between the chain and the ship's sides. + +[5] Including three dead. + +[6] See page 41. + +[7] The Kearsarge started on her present cruise the 4th of February, 1862; +the Alabama left the Mersey at the end of July following. + +[8] This information was incorrect. No such statement was ever made by the +Consul of the United States at Cherbourg. + + F. M. E. + +[9] The following is the copy of the log of the Kearsarge on the day in +question: + + "June 19, 1864. "From 8 to Merid. + +"Moderate breeze from the Wd. weather b. c. At 10 o'clock, inspected crew +at quarters. At 10.20, discovered the Alabama steaming out from the port +of Cherbourg, accompanied by a French iron-clad steamer, and a +fore-and-aft rigged steamer showing the white English ensign and a yacht +flag. Beat to General Quarters, and cleared the ship for action. Steamed +ahead standing off shore. At 10.50, being distant from the land about two +leagues, altered our course and approached the Alabama. At 10.57, the +Alabama commenced the action with her starboard broadside at 1,000 yards +range. At 11, we returned her fire, and came fairly into action, which we +continued until Merid., when observing signs of distress in the enemy, +together with a cessation of her fire, our fire was withheld. At 12.10, a +boat with an officer from the Alabama came alongside and surrendered his +vessel, with the information that she was rapidly sinking, and a request +for assistance. Sent the Launch and 2d Cutter, the other boats being +disabled by the fire of the enemy. The English yacht before mentioned, +coming within hail, was requested by the Captain (W.) to render assistance +in saving the lives of the officers and crew of the surrendered vessel. At +2.24, the Alabama went down in forty fathoms of water, leaving most of the +crew struggling in the water. Seventy persons were rescued by the boats, +two pilot boats and the yacht also assisted. One pilot boat came alongside +us, but the other returned to the port. The yacht steamed rapidly away to +the Nd. without reporting the number of our prisoners she had picked up. + + "(Signed) JAMES S. WHEELER, Actg. Master." + +[10] According to the statement of prisoners captured, the Alabama fired +no less than three hundred and seventy times (shot and shell); more than +twice the number of the Kearsarge. + +[11] Captain Winslow has long been a citizen of the State of +Massachusetts. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of An Englishman's View of the Battle +between the Alabama and the Kearsarge, by Frederick Milnes Edge + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AN ENGLISHMAN'S VIEW *** + +***** This file should be named 36988-8.txt or 36988-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/6/9/8/36988/ + +Produced by The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images +generously made available by The Internet Archive/American +Libraries.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: An Englishman's View of the Battle between the Alabama and the Kearsarge + An Account of the Naval Engagement in the British Channel, + on Sunday June 19th, 1864 + +Author: Frederick Milnes Edge + +Release Date: August 6, 2011 [EBook #36988] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AN ENGLISHMAN'S VIEW *** + + + + +Produced by The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images +generously made available by The Internet Archive/American +Libraries.) + + + + + + +</pre> + + + +<p class="center"><span class="huge">AN ENGLISHMAN’S VIEW</span><br /> +<small>OF THE</small><br /> +<span class="huge">BATTLE</span><br /> +<small>BETWEEN THE</small><br /> +<span class="huge">ALABAMA AND THE KEARSARGE.</span></p> +<p> </p> +<p class="center">AN ACCOUNT OF</p> +<p class="center"><small>THE NAVAL ENGAGEMENT IN THE BRITISH CHANNEL, ON SUNDAY, JUNE 19TH,<br /> +1864. FROM INFORMATION PERSONALLY OBTAINED IN THE TOWN<br /> +OF CHERBOURG, AS WELL AS FROM THE OFFICERS AND<br /> +CREW OF THE UNITED STATES’ SLOOP-OF-WAR<br /> +KEARSARGE, AND THE WOUNDED AND<br /> +PRISONERS OF THE CONFEDERATE<br /> +PRIVATEER.</small></p> +<p> </p> +<p class="center"><small>BY</small><br /> +FREDERICK MILNES EDGE.</p> +<p> </p> +<p class="center">NEW YORK:<br /> +ANSON D. F. RANDOLPH,<br /> +No. 770 BROADWAY.<br /> +1864.</p> + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<p class="center">Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1864,<br /> +<span class="smcap">By</span> ANSON D. F. RANDOLPH,<br /> +In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern<br /> +District of New York.</p> + +<p> </p> +<p class="center">EDWARD O. JENKINS,<br /> +Printer and Stereotyper,<br /> +20 <span class="smcap">North William Street</span>.</p> + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<p class="center">This Record<br /> +OF<br /> +A MOST GLORIOUS VICTORY<br /> +GAINED IN THE CAUSE OF<br /> +JUSTICE AND HUMANITY,<br /> +IS<br /> +DEDICATED TO<br /> +THAT NOBLE OFFSPRING OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE<br /> +<br /> +The Sanitary Commission of the United States,<br /> +<br /> +BY<br /> +THEIR OBEDIENT SERVANT,<br /> +THE AUTHOR.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">London</span>, <i>July 14, 1864</i>.</p> + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p> </p> +<p class="note">The writer of this pamphlet is an English gentleman of intelligence now +residing in London, who has spent some time in this country, and is known +and esteemed by many of our best citizens. He visited Cherbourg for the +express purpose of making the inquiry and investigation, the results of +which are embodied in the following pages, and generously devotes the +pecuniary results of his copyright to the funds of the <span class="smcap">Sanitary +Commission</span>.</p> + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span></p> +<h2>The Alabama and the Kearsarge.</h2> + +<p>The importance of the engagement between the United States Sloop-of-war, +Kearsarge, and the Confederate Privateer, Alabama, cannot be estimated by +the size of the two vessels. The conflict off Cherbourg on Sunday, the +19th of June, was the first decisive engagement between shipping propelled +by steam, and the first test of the merits of modern naval artillery. It +was, moreover, a contest for superiority between the ordnance of Europe +and America, whilst the result furnishes us with <i>data</i> wherefrom to +estimate the relative advantages of rifled and smooth-bore cannon at short +range.</p> + +<p>Perhaps no greater or more numerous misrepresentations were ever made in +regard to an engagement than in reference to the one in question. The +first news of the conflict came to us enveloped in a mass of statements, +the greater part of which, not to use an unparliamentary expression, was +diametrically opposed to the truth; and although several weeks have now +elapsed since the Alabama followed her many defenceless victims to their +watery grave, these misrepresentations obtain as much credence as ever. +The victory of the Kearsarge was accounted for, and the defeat of the +Alabama excused or palliated upon the following principal reasons:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span></p> +<p>1. The superior size and speed of the Kearsarge.</p> + +<p>2. The superiority of her armament.</p> + +<p>3. The chain-plating at her sides.</p> + +<p>4. The greater number of her crew.</p> + +<p>5. The unpreparedness of the Alabama.</p> + +<p>6. The assumed necessity of Captain Semmes’ accepting the challenge +sent him (as represented) by the commander of the Kearsarge.</p></div> + +<p>Besides these misstatements there have been others put forth, either in +ignorance of the real facts of the case, or with a purposed intention of +diminishing the merit of the victory by casting odium upon the Federals on +the score of inhumanity. In the former category must be placed the remarks +of the <i>Times</i> (June 21st); but it is just to state that the observations +in question were made on receipt of the first news, and from information +furnished probably by parties unconnected with the paper, and desirous of +palliating the Alabama’s defeat by any means in their power. We are +informed in the article above referred to that the guns of the latter +vessel “had been pointed for 2,000 yards, and the second shot went right +through the Kearsarge,” whereas no shot whatever went through as stated. +Again, “the Kearsarge fired about 100 (shot) chiefly 11-in. shell,” the +fact being that not one-third of her projectiles were of that calibre. +Further on we find—“The men (of the Alabama) were all true to the last; +they only ceased firing when the water came to the muzzles of their guns.” +Such a declaration as this is laughable in the extreme; the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> Alabama’s +guns were all on the spar-deck, like those of the Kearsarge; and, to +achieve what the <i>Times</i> represents, her men must have fought on until the +hull of their vessel was two feet under water. The truth is—if the +evidence of the prisoners saved by the Kearsarge may be taken—Captain +Semmes hauled down his flag immediately after being informed by his chief +engineer that the water was putting out the fires; and, within a few +minutes, the water gained so rapidly on the vessel that her bow rose +slowly in the air, and half her guns obtained a greater elevation than +they had ever known previously. It is unfortunate to find such cheap-novel +style of writing in a paper which at some future period may be referred to +as an authoritative chronicler of events now transpiring.</p> + +<p>It would be too long a task to notice all the numerous misstatements of +private individuals, and of the English and French press in reference to +this action: the best mode is to give the facts as they occurred, leaving +the public to judge by internal evidence on which side the truth exists.</p> + +<p>Within a few days of the fight, the writer of these pages crossed from +London to Cherbourg for the purpose of obtaining by personal examination +full and precise information in reference to the engagement. It would seem +as though misrepresentation, if not positive falsehood, were inseparable +from everything connected with the Alabama, for on reaching the French +naval station he was positively assured by the people on shore that +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span>nobody was permitted to board the Kearsarge. Preferring, however, to +substantiate the truth of these allegations, from the officers of the +vessel themselves, he hired a boat and sailed out to the sloop, receiving +on his arrival an immediate and polite reception from Captain Winslow and +his gallant subordinates. During the six days he remained at Cherbourg, he +found the Kearsarge open to the inspection, above and below, of any and +everybody who chose to visit her; and he frequently heard surprise +expressed by English and French visitors alike that representations on +shore were so inconsonant with the truth of the case.</p> + +<p>I found the Kearsarge lying under the guns of the French ship-of-the-line +“Napoleon,” two cables’ length from that vessel, and about a mile and a +half from the harbour; she had not moved from that anchorage since +entering the port of Cherbourg, and no repairs whatever had been effected +in her hull since the fight. I had thus full opportunity to examine the +extent of her damage, and she certainly did not look at all like a vessel +which had just been engaged in one of the hottest conflicts of modern +times.</p> + + +<p class="center"><br /><span class="large">SIZE OF THE TWO VESSELS.</span></p> + +<p>The Kearsarge, in size, is by no means the terrible craft represented by +those who, for some reason or other, seek to detract from the honour of +her victory; she appeared to me a mere yacht in comparison with the +shipping around her, and disappointed many of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> visitors who came to +see her. The relative proportions of the two antagonists were as +follows:—</p> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="5" summary="table"> +<tr><td> </td><td><span class="spacer"> </span></td> + <td colspan="2" align="center"><span class="smcap">Alabama.</span></td><td><span class="spacer"> </span></td> + <td colspan="2" align="center"><span class="smcap">Kearsarge.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>Length over all</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: .5em;">220</span></td><td>ft.</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: .5em;">232</span></td><td>ft.</td></tr> +<tr><td><span style="margin-left: 1em;">"</span><span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">of keel</span></td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: .5em;">210</span></td><td align="center">"</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: .5em;">198½</span></td><td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Beam</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: 1em;">32</span></td><td align="center">"</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: 1em;">33</span></td><td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Depth</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: 1em;">17</span></td><td align="center">"</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: 1em;">16½</span></td><td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="4">Horse power, 2 engines of 300 each</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: .5em;">400 h. p.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>Tonnage</td><td> </td> + <td>1,040</td><td> </td><td> </td> + <td>1,031<small><a name="f1.1" id="f1.1" href="#f1">[1]</a></small></td></tr></table> + +<p>The Alabama was a barque-rigged screw propeller, and the heaviness of her +rig, and, above all, the greater size and height of her masts would give +her the appearance of a much larger vessel than her antagonist. The masts +of the latter are disproportionately low and small; she has never carried +more than top-sail yards, and depends for her speed upon her machinery +alone. It is to be questioned whether the Alabama, with all her reputation +for velocity, could, in her best trim, outsteam her rival. The log book of +the Kearsarge, which I was courteously permitted to examine, frequently +shows a speed of upwards of fourteen knots the hour, and her engineers +state that her machinery was never in better working order than at the +present time. I have not seen engines more compact in form, nor, +apparently, in finer condition; looking in every part as though they were +fresh from the workshop, instead of being, as they, are, half through the +third year of the cruise.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span>Ships-of-war, however, whatever may be their tonnage, are nothing more +than platforms for carrying artillery. The only mode by which to judge of +the strength of the two vessels is in comparing their armaments; and +herein we find the equality of the antagonist as fully exemplified as in +the respective proportions of their hulls and steam-power. The armaments +of the Alabama and Kearsarge were are as follows:</p> + +<p class="center">ARMAMENT OF THE ALABAMA.</p> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="5" summary="table"> +<tr><td>One 7-inch Blakely rifle.<br /> +One 8-inch smooth-bore (68-pounder).<br /> +Six 32-pounders.</td></tr></table> + +<p class="center"><br />ARMAMENT OF THE KEARSARGE.</p> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="5" summary="table"> +<tr><td>Two 11-inch smooth-bore guns.<br /> +One 30-pounder rifle.<br /> +Four 32-pounders.</td></tr></table> + +<p>It will therefore be seen that the Alabama had the advantage of the +Kearsarge—at all events in the number of her guns; whilst the weight of +the latter’s broadside was only some 20 per cent. greater than her own. +This disparity, however, was more than made up by the greater rapidity of +the Alabama’s firing, and, above all, by the superiority of her +artillerymen. The <i>Times</i> informs us that Capt. Semmes asserts, “he owes +his best men to the training they received on board the ‘Excellent;’” and +trained gunners must naturally be superior to the volunteer gunners on +board the Kearsarge.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> Each vessel fought all her guns, with the exception +in either case of one 32-pounder, on the starboard side; but the struggle +was really decided by the two 11-inch Dahlgren smooth-bores of the +Kearsarge against the 7-inch Blakely rifle and the heavy 68-pounder pivot +of the Alabama. The Kearsarge certainly carried a small 30-pounder rifled +Dahlgren in pivot on her forecastle, and this gun was fired several times +before the rest were brought into play; but the gun in question was never +regarded as aught than a failure, and the Ordnance Department of the +United States’ Navy has given up its manufacture.</p> + + +<p class="center"><br /><span class="large">THE CHAIN-PLATING OF THE KEARSARGE.</span></p> + +<p>Great stress has been laid upon the chain-plating of the Kearsarge, and it +is assumed by interested parties that, but for this armour, the contest +would have resulted differently. A pamphlet lately published in this city, +entitled “The Career of the Alabama,”<small><a name="f2.1" id="f2.1" href="#f2">[2]</a></small> makes the following statements:</p> + +<p>“The Federal Government had fitted out the Kearsarge, a new vessel of +great speed, <i>iron-coated</i>,” &c. (p. 23).</p> + +<p>“She,” the Kearsarge, “appeared to be <i>temporarily</i> plated with iron +chains.” (p. 38.) (In the previous quotation, it would appear she had so +been plated by the Federal Government: both statements are absolutely +incorrect, as will shortly be seen.)</p> + +<p>“It was frequently observed that shot and shell struck<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> against the +Kearsarge’s side, and harmlessly rebounded, bursting outside, and doing no +damage to the Federal crew.”</p> + +<p>“Another advantage accruing from this was that it sank her very low in the +water, so low in fact, that the heads of the men who were in the boats +were on the level of the Kearsarge’s deck.” (p. 39.)</p> + +<p>“As before observed, the sides of the Kearsarge <i>were trailed all over +with chain cables</i>.” (p. 41).</p> + +<p>The author of the pamphlet in question has judiciously refrained from +giving his name. A greater number of more unblushing misrepresentations +never were contained in an equal space.</p> + +<p>In his official report to the Confederate Envoy, Mr. Mason, Captain Semmes +makes the following statements:</p> + +<p>“At the end of the engagement, it was discovered by those of our officers +who went alongside the enemy’s ship with the wounded, that her midship +section on both sides was thoroughly iron-coated; <i>this having been done +with chain constructed for the purpose</i>, (<i>!</i>) placed perpendicularly from +the rail to the water’s edge, the whole covered over by a thin outer +planking, which gave no indication of the armour beneath. This planking +had been ripped off in every direction (!) by our shot and shell, the +chain broken and indented in many places, and forced partly into the +ship’s side. She was most effectually guarded, however, in this section +from penetration.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span>“The enemy was heavier than myself, both in ship, battery, and crew, (!) +<i>but I did not know until the action was over that she was also +iron-clad</i>.”</p> + +<p>“Those of our officers who went alongside the enemy’s ship with our +wounded.” As soon as Captain Semmes reached the Deerhound, the yacht +steamed off at full speed towards Southampton, and Semmes wrote his report +of the fight either in England, or on board the English vessel. Probably +the former, for he dates his communication to Mr. Mason—“Southampton, +June 21, 1864.” How did he obtain intelligence from those of his officers +“who went alongside the enemy’s ship,” and who would naturally be detained +as prisoners of war? It was impossible for anybody to reach Southampton in +the time specified; nevertheless he did obtain such information. One of +his officers—George T. Fullam, an Englishman unfortunately—came to the +Kearsarge in a boat at the close of the action, representing the Alabama +to be sinking, and that if the Kearsarge did not hasten to get out boats +to save life, the crew must go down with her. Not a moment was to be lost, +and he offered to go back to his own vessel to bring off prisoners, +pledging his honour to return when the object was accomplished. After +picking up several men struggling in the water, he steered directly for +the Deerhound, and on reaching her actually cast his boat adrift. It was +subsequently picked up by the Kearsarge. Fullam’s name appears amongst the +list of “saved” by the Deerhound; and he, with others of the Alabama’s<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> +officers who had received a similar permission from their captors, and had +similarly broken their troth, of course gave the above information to +their veracious Captain.</p> + +<p>The chain-plating of the Kearsarge was decided upon in this wise. The +vessel lay off Fayal towards the latter part of April, 1863, on the look +out for a notorious blockade-runner, named the “Juno.” The Kearsarge being +short of coal, and, fearing some attempts at opposition on the part of her +prey, the first officer of the sloop, Lieutenant-commander James S. +Thornton, suggested to Captain Winslow the advisability of hanging her two +sheet-anchor cables over her sides, so as to protect her midship section. +Mr. Thornton had served on board the flag-ship of Admiral Farragut, the +“Hartford” when she and the rest of the Federal fleet ran the forts of the +Mississippi to reach New Orleans; and he made the suggestion at Fayal +through having seen the advantage gained by it on that occasion. I now +copy the following extract from the log-book of the Kearsarge:</p> + +<div class="note"> +<p class="right">“<span class="smcap">Horta Bay, Fayal</span> (<i>May 1st, 1863.</i>)</p> + +<p>“<i>From 8 to Merid.</i> Wind E.N.E. (F 2). Weather b. c. Strapped, loaded, +and fused (5 sec. fuse) 13 XI-inch shell. Commenced armour plating +ship, using sheet chain. Weighed kedge anchor.</p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 8em;">“(Signed)</span><span class="spacer"> </span><span class="smcap">E. M. Stoddard</span>, <i>Acting Master</i>.”</p></div> + +<p>This operation of chain-armouring took three days, and was effected +without assistance from the shore and at an expense of material of +seventy-five dollars (£15).<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> In order to make the addition less unsightly, +the chains were boxed over with ¾-inch deal boards, forming a case, or +box, which stood out at right angles from the vessel’s sides. This box +would naturally excite curiosity in every port where the Kearsarge +touched, and no mystery was made as to what the boarding covered. Captain +Semmes was perfectly cognizant of the entire affair, notwithstanding his +shameless assertion of ignorance; for he spoke about it to his officers +and crew several days prior to the 19th of June, declaring that the chains +were only attached together with rope-yarns, and would drop into the water +when struck with the first shot. I was so informed by his own wounded men +lying in the naval hospital at Cherbourg. Whatever might be the value for +defence of this chain-plating, it was only struck once during the +engagement, so far as I could discover by a long and close inspection. +Some of the officers of the Kearsarge asserted to me that it was struck +twice, whilst others deny that declaration: in one spot, however, a +32-pounder shot broke in the deal covering and smashed a single link, +two-thirds of which fell into the water. The remainder is in my +possession, and proves to be of the ordinary 5¼-inch chain. Had the +cable been struck by the rifled 120-pounder instead of by a 32, the result +might have been different; but in any case the damage would have amounted +to nothing serious, for the vessel’s side was hit five feet above the +water-line and nowhere in the vicinity of the boilers or machinery. +Captain Semmes<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> evidently regarded this protection of the chains as little +worth, for he might have adopted the same plan before engaging the +Kearsarge; but he confined himself to taking on board 150 tons of coal <i>as +a protection to his boilers</i>, which, in addition to the 200 tons already +in his bunkers, would bring him pretty low in the water. The Kearsarge, on +the contrary, was deficient in her coal, and she took what was necessary +on board during my stay at Cherbourg.</p> + +<p>The quantity of chain used on each side of the vessel in this +much-talked-of armouring is only 120 fathoms, and it covers a space +amidships of 49 ft. 6 in. in length, by 6 ft. 2 in. in depth.<small><a name="f3.1" id="f3.1" href="#f3">[3]</a></small> The +chain, which is single, not double, was and is stopped to eye-bolts with +rope-yarn and by iron dogs.<small><a name="f4.1" id="f4.1" href="#f4">[4]</a></small> Is it reasonable to suppose that this +plating of 1<span style="font-size: 0.8em;"><sup>7</sup></span>⁄<span style="font-size: 0.6em;">10</span>-inch iron (the thickness of the links of the chain) +could offer any serious resistance to the heavy 68-pounder and the 7 in. +Blakely rifle of the Alabama—at the comparatively close range of 700 +yards? What then becomes of the mistaken remark of the <i>Times</i> that the +Kearsarge was “provided, as it turned out, with some special contrivances +for protection,” or Semmes’ declaration that she was “iron-clad?” “The +Career of the Alabama,” in referring to this chain-plating, says—“Another +advantage accruing from this was that it sank<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> her very low in the water, +so low in fact, that the heads of the men who were in the boats were on +the level of the Kearsarge’s deck.” It is simply ridiculous to suppose +that the weight of 240 fathoms of chain could have any such effect upon a +vessel of one thousand tons burden; whilst, in addition, the cable itself +was part of the ordinary equipment of the ship. Further, the supply of +coal on board the Kearsarge at the time of action was only 120 tons, while +the Alabama had 350 tons on board.</p> + +<p>The objection that the Alabama was short-handed does not appear to be +borne out by the facts of the case; while, on the other hand, a greater +number of men than were necessary to work the guns and ship would be more +of a detriment than a benefit to the Kearsarge. The latter vessel had 22 +officers on board, and 140 men: the Alabama is represented to have had +only 120 in her crew, (Mr. Mason’s statement,) but if her officers be +included in this number, the assertion is obviously incorrect, for the +Kearsarge saved 67,<small><a name="f5.1" id="f5.1" href="#f5">[5]</a></small> the Deerhound 41, and the French pilot-boats 12, +and this, without mentioning the 13 accounted for as killed and +wounded,<small><a name="f6.1" id="f6.1" href="#f6">[6]</a></small> and others who went down with the ship. When the Alabama +arrived at Cherbourg, her officers and crew numbered 149. This information +was given by captains of American vessels who were held as prisoners on +board the privateer after the destruction of their ships; and their +information is indorsed by the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> captured officers of the Alabama now on +board the Kearsarge. It is known also that many persons tried to get on +board the Alabama while she lay in Cherbourg; but this the police +prevented as far as lay in their power. If Captain Semmes’ representation +were correct in regard to his being short-handed, he certainly ought not +to be trusted with the command of a vessel again, however much he may be +esteemed by some parties for his Quixotism in challenging an +antagonist—to use his own words—“heavier than myself both in ship, +battery, and crew.”</p> + +<p>The asserted unpreparedness of the Alabama is about as truthful as the +other representations, if we may take Captain Semmes’ report, and certain +facts, in rebutting evidence. The Captain writes to Mr. Mason, “I cannot +deny myself the pleasure of saying that Mr. Kell, my First Lieutenant, +deserves great credit for the fine condition the ship was in when she went +into action;” but if Captain Semmes were right in the alleged want of +preparation, he himself is alone to blame. He had ample time for +protecting his vessel and crew in all possible manners; he, not the +Kearsarge was the aggressor; and but for his forcing the fight, the +Alabama might still be riding inside Cherbourg breakwater. Notwithstanding +the horrible cause for which he is struggling, and the atrocious +depredations he has committed upon helpless merchantmen, we can still +admire the daring he evinced in sallying forth from a secure haven and +gallantly attacking his opponent; but when<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> he professes ignorance of the +character of his antagonist, and unworthily attempts to disparage the +victory of his foe, we forget all our first sympathies, and condemn the +moral nature of the man, as he has forced us to do his judgment.</p> + +<p>Nor must it be forgotten that the Kearsarge has had fewer opportunities +for repairs than the Alabama, and that she has been cruising around in all +seas <i>for a much longer period than her antagonist</i>.<small><a name="f7.1" id="f7.1" href="#f7">[7]</a></small> The Alabama, on +the contrary, had lain for many days in Cherbourg, and she only steamed +forth when her Captain supposed her to be in, at all events, as good a +condition as the enemy.</p> + + +<p class="center"><br /><span class="large">THE CHALLENGE.</span></p> + +<p>Finally, the challenge to fight was given by the Alabama to the Kearsarge, +not by the Kearsarge to the Alabama. “The Career of the Alabama,” above +referred to makes the following romantic statement:</p> + +<p>“When he (Semmes) was challenged by the commander of the Kearsarge, +everybody in Cherbourg, it appears, said it would be disgraceful if he +refused the challenge, and this, coupled with his belief that the +Kearsarge was not so strong as she really proved to be, made him agree to +fight.” (p. 41.)</p> + +<p>On the Tuesday after the battle, and before leaving London for Cherbourg, +I was shown a telegram by a member of the House of Commons, forwarded to +him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> that morning. The telegram was addressed to one of the gentleman’s +constituents by his son, a sailor on board the Alabama, and was dated “C. +S. S. Alabama, Cherbourg, June 14th,” the sender stating that they were +about to engage the Kearsarge on the morrow, or next day. I have not a +copy of this telegram, but “The Career of the Alabama” gives a letter to +the like effect from the surgeon of the privateer, addressed to a +gentleman of this city. The letter reads as follows:</p> + +<div class="note"> +<p class="right">“<span class="smcap">Cherbourg</span>, <i>June 14, 1864</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dear Travers</span>—Here we are. I send this by a gentleman coming to +London. An enemy is outside. <i>If she only stays long enough, we go out +and fight her.</i> If I live, expect to see me in London shortly. If I +die, give my best love to all who know me. If Monsieur A. de Caillet +should call on you, please show him every attention.</p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 8em;">“I remain, dear Travers, ever yours,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12em;">“<span class="smcap">D. H. Llewellyn.</span>”</span></p></div> + +<p>There were two brave gentlemen on board the Alabama—poor Llewellyn, who +nobly refused to save his own life, by leaving his wounded, and a young +Lieutenant, Mr. Joseph Wilson, who honourably delivered up his sword on +the deck of the Kearsarge, when the other officers threw theirs into the +water.</p> + +<p>The most unanswerable proof of Captain Semmes having challenged the +commander of the Kearsarge is to be found in the following letter +addressed by him to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> the Confederate consul, or agent, at Cherbourg. After +the publication of this document, it is to be hoped we shall hear no more +of Captain Winslow’s having committed such a breach of discipline and +etiquette as that of challenging a rebel against his Government.</p> + + +<p class="center"><br /><span class="large">CAPTAIN SEMMES’ CHALLENGE TO THE KEARSARGE.</span></p> + +<div class="note"> +<p class="right"><span style="padding-right: 1.5em;">“<span class="smcap">C. S. S. Alabama</span>,</span><br /> +“<span class="smcap">Cherbourg</span>, <i>June 14, 1864</i>.</p> + +<p>“To Ad. <span class="smcap">Bonfils</span>, <i>Cherbourg</i>:</p> + +<p>“<span class="smcap">Sir</span>—I hear that you were informed by the U. S. Consul, that the +Kearsarge was to come to this port solely for the prisoners landed by +me,<small><a name="f8.1" id="f8.1" href="#f8">[8]</a></small> and that she was to depart in twenty-four hours. I desire you +to say to the U. S. Consul, that my intention is to fight the +Kearsarge as soon as I can make the necessary arrangements. I hope +these will not detain me more than until tomorrow evening, or after +the morrow morning at farthest. I beg she will not depart before I am +ready to go out.</p> + +<p>“I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,</p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 8em;">“<span class="smcap">R. Semmes</span>, <i>Captain</i>.”</span></p></div> + +<p>Numerous facts serve to prove that Captain Semmes had made every +preparation to engage the Kearsarge, and that wide-spread publicity had +been given to his intention. As soon as the arrival of the Federal vessel +was known at Paris, an American gentleman of high<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> position came down to +Cherbourg, with instructions for Captain Winslow; but so desirous were the +French authorities to preserve a really honest neutrality, that permission +was only granted to him to sail to her after his promise to return to +shore immediately on the delivery of his message. Once back in Cherbourg, +and about to return to Paris, he was advised to remain over night, <i>as the +Alabama intended to fight the Kearsarge next day</i> (Sunday). On Sunday +morning, an excursion train arrived from the Capital, and the visitors +were received at the terminus of the railway by the boatmen of the port, +who offered them boats for the purpose of seeing <i>a genuine naval battle +which was to take place during the day</i>. Turning such a memorable +occurrence to practical uses, Monsieur Rondin, a celebrated photographic +artist on the <i>Place d’Armes</i> at Cherbourg, prepared the necessary +chemicals, plates, and <i>camera</i>, and placed himself on the summit of the +old church tower which the whilome denizens of Cherbourg had very properly +built in happy juxtaposition with his establishment. I was only able to +see the negative, but that was quite sufficient to show that the artist +had obtained a very fine view indeed of the exciting contest. Five days, +however, had elapsed since Captain Semmes sent his challenge to Captain +Winslow through the Confederate agent, Monsieur Bonfils; surely time +sufficient for him to make all the preparations which he considered +necessary. Meanwhile the Kearsarge was cruising to and fro at sea, outside +the breakwater.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span>The Kearsarge reached Cherbourg on the 14th, and her Captain only heard of +Captain Semmes’ intention to fight him on the following day. Five days, +however, elapsed before the Alabama put in an appearance, and her exit +from the harbour was heralded by the English yacht Deerhound. The officer +on watch aboard the Kearsarge made out a three-masted vessel steaming from +the harbour, the movements of which were somewhat mysterious; after +remaining a short time only, this steamer, which subsequently proved to be +the Deerhound, went back into port; only returning to sea a few minutes in +advance of the Alabama, and the French iron-clad La Couronne. Mr. +Lancaster, her owner, sends a copy of his log to the <i>Times</i>, the first +two entries being as follows:</p> + +<p>“Sunday, June 19, 9 <span class="smcaplc">A. M.</span>—Got up steam and proceeded out of Cherbourg +harbour.</p> + +<p>“10.30.—Observed the ‘Alabama’ steaming out of the harbour towards the +Federal steamer ‘Kearsarge.’”<small><a name="f9.1" id="f9.1" href="#f9">[9]</a></small></p> + +<p>Mr. Lancaster does not inform us why an English<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> gentleman should choose a +Sunday morning, of all days in the week, to cruise about at an early hour +with ladies on board, nor does he supply the public with information as to +the movements of the Deerhound during the hour and a half which elapsed +between his exit from the harbour and the appearance of the Alabama. The +preceding paragraph, however, supplies the omission.</p> + + +<p class="center"><br /><span class="large">THE ENGAGEMENT.</span></p> + +<p>At length the Alabama made her appearance in company with the Couronne, +the latter vessel conveying her outside the limit of French waters. Here +let me pay a tribute to the careful neutrality of the French authorities. +No sooner was the limit of jurisdiction reached, than the Couronne put +down her helm, and without any delay, steamed back into port, not even +lingering outside the breakwater to witness the fight. Curiosity, if not +worse, anchored the English vessel in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> handy vicinity to the combatants. +Her presence proved to be of much utility, for she picked up no less than +fourteen of the Alabama’s officers, and among them the redoubtable Semmes +himself.</p> + +<p>So soon as the Alabama was made out, the Kearsarge immediately headed +seaward and steamed off the coast, the object being to get a sufficient +distance from the land so as to obviate any possible infringement of +French jurisdiction; and, secondly, that in case of the battle going +against the Alabama, the latter could not retreat into port. When this was +accomplished, the Kearsarge was turned shortly round and steered +immediately for the Alabama, Captain Winslow desiring to get within close +range, as his guns were shotted with five-seconds shell. The interval +between the two vessels being reduced to a mile, or thereabouts, the +Alabama sheered and discharged a broadside, nearly a raking fire, at the +Kearsarge. More speed was given to the latter to shorten the distance, and +a slight sheer to prevent raking. The Alabama fired a second broadside and +part of a third while her antagonist was closing; and at the expiration of +ten or twelve minutes from the Alabama’s opening shot, the Kearsarge +discharged her first broadside. The action henceforward continued in a +circle, the distance between the two vessels being about seven hundred +yards; this, at all events, is the opinion of the Federal commander and +his officers, for their guns were sighted at that range, and their shell +burst in and over the privateer. The speed of the two vessels<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> during the +engagement did not exceed eight knots the hour.</p> + +<p>At the expiration of one hour and two minutes from the first gun, the +Alabama hauled down her colours and fired a lee gun (according to the +statements of her officers), in token of surrender. Captain Winslow could +not, however, believe that the enemy had struck, as his own vessel had +received so little damage, and he could not regard his antagonist as much +more injured than himself; and it was only when a boat came off from the +Alabama that her true condition was known. The 11-inch shell from the +Kearsarge, thrown with fifteen pounds of powder at seven hundred yards +range, had gone clean through the starboard side of the privateer, +bursting in the port side and tearing great gaps in her timber and +planking. This was plainly obvious when the Alabama settled by the stern +and raised the forepart of her hull high out of water.</p> + +<p>The Kearsarge was struck twenty-seven times during the conflict, and fired +in all one hundred and seventy three (173) shots. These were as follows:</p> + +<p class="center">SHOTS FIRED BY THE KEARSARGE.</p> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="table"> +<tr><td>Two 11-inch guns</td><td><span class="spacer"> </span></td> + <td align="right">55</td><td> shots.</td></tr> +<tr><td>Rifle in forecastle</td><td> </td> + <td align="right">48</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Broadside 32-pdrs</td><td> </td> + <td align="right">60</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>12-pdr. boat howitzer</td><td> </td> + <td class="botbor" align="right">10</td><td class="botbor" align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Total,</td><td> </td> + <td align="right">173</td><td> shots.</td></tr></table> + +<p>The last-named gun performed no part whatever in sinking the Alabama, and +was only used in the action to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> create laughter among the sailors. Two old +quarter-masters, the two Dromios of the Kearsarge, were put in charge of +this gun, with instructions to fire when they received the order. But the +two old salts, little relishing the idea of having nothing to do while +their messmates were so actively engaged, commenced peppering away with +their pea-shooter of a piece, alternating their discharges with +vituperation of each other. This low-comedy by-play amused the ship’s +company, and the officers good-humoredly allowed the farce to continue +until the single box of ammunition was exhausted.</p> + + +<p class="center"><br /><span class="large">DAMAGE TO THE KEARSARGE.</span></p> + +<p>The Kearsarge was struck as follows:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="hang">One shot through starboard quarter, taking a slanting direction aft, +and lodging in the rudder post. This shot was from the Blakely rifle.</p> + +<p class="hang">One shot, carrying away starboard life-buoy.</p> + +<p class="hang">Three 32-pounder shots through port bulwarks, forward of mizzen-mast.</p> + +<p class="hang">A shell, exploding after end of pivot port.</p> + +<p class="hang">A shell, exploding after end of chain-plating.</p> + +<p class="hang">A 68-lb. shell, passing through starboard bulwarks below main rigging, +wounding three men—the only casualties amongst the crew during the +engagement.</p> + +<p class="hang">A Blakely-rifle shell, passing through the engine-room sky-light, and +dropping harmlessly in the water beyond the vessel.</p> + +<p class="hang">Two shots below plank-sheer, abreast of boiler hatch.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span></p> + +<p class="hang">One forward pivot port plank sheer.</p> + +<p class="hang">One forward foremast-rigging.</p> + +<p class="hang">A shot striking Launch’s toping-lift.</p> + +<p class="hang">A rifle-shell, passing through funnel, bursting without damage inside.</p> + +<p class="hang">One, starboard forward main-shroud.</p> + +<p class="hang">One, starboard after-shroud main-topmast rigging.</p> + +<p class="hang">One, main topsail tye.</p> + +<p class="hang">One, main topsail outhaul.</p> + +<p class="hang">One, main topsail runner.</p> + +<p class="hang">Two, through port-quarter boat.</p> + +<p class="hang">One, through spanker (furled).</p> + +<p class="hang">One, starboard forward shroud, mizzen rigging.</p> + +<p class="hang">One, starboard mizzen-topmast backstay.</p> + +<p class="hang">One, through mizzen peak-signal halyards, which cut the stops when the +battle was nearly over, and for the first time let loose the flag to +the breeze.</p></div> + +<p>This list of damages received by the Kearsarge proves the exceedingly bad +fire of the Alabama, notwithstanding the numbers of men on board the +latter belonging to our “Naval Reserve,” and the trained hands from the +gunnery ship “Excellent.” I was informed by some of the paroled prisoners +on shore at Cherbourg that Captain Semmes fired rapidly at the +commencement of the action “in order to frighten the Yankees,” nearly all +the officers and crew being, as he was well aware, merely volunteers from +the merchant service.<small><a name="f10.1" id="f10.1" href="#f10">[10]</a></small> At the +expiration<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> of twenty minutes after the +Kearsarge discharged the first broadside, continuing the battle in a +leisurely, cool manner, Semmes remarked: “Confound them; they’ve been +fighting twenty minutes, and they’re as cool as posts.” The probabilities +are that the crew of the Federal vessel had learnt not to regard as +dangerous the rapid and hap-hazard practice of the Alabama.</p> + +<p>From the time of her first reaching Cherbourg until she finally quitted +the port, the Kearsarge never received the slightest assistance from +shore, with the exception of that rendered by a boiler maker in patching +up her funnel. Every other repair was completed by her own hands, and she +might have crossed the Atlantic immediately after the action without +difficulty. So much for Mr. Lancaster’s statement that “the Kearsarge was +apparently much disabled.”</p> + + +<p class="center"><br /><span class="large">SEMMES’ DESIGN TO BOARD THE KEARSARGE.</span></p> + +<p>The first accounts received of the action led us to suppose that Captain +Semmes’ intention was to lay his vessel alongside the enemy, and to carry +her by boarding. Whether this information came from the Captain himself or +was made out of “whole cloth” by some of his admirers, the idea of +boarding a vessel under steam—unless her engines, or screw, or rudder be +disabled—is manifestly ridiculous. The days of boarding are gone by, +except under the contingencies above stated; and any such attempt on the +part of the Alabama would have been attended with disastrous results to +herself and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> crew. To have boarded the Kearsarge, Semmes must have +possessed greater speed to enable him to run alongside her; and the moment +the pursuer came near her victim, the latter would shut off steam, drop +astern in a second of time, sheer off, discharge her whole broadside of +grape and canister, and rake her antagonist from stern to stem. Our +pro-southern sympathizers really ought not to make their <i>protegé</i> appear +ridiculous by ascribing to him such an egregious intention.</p> + + +<p class="center"><br /><span class="large">NATIONALITY OF THE CREW OF THE KEARSARGE</span></p> + + +<p>It has frequently been asserted that the major portion of the Northern +armies is composed of foreigners, and the same statement is made in +reference to the crews of the American Navy. The report got abroad in +Cherbourg that the victory of the Kearsarge was due to her having taken on +board a number of French gunners at Brest; and an admiral of the French +Navy asked me in perfectly good faith whether it were not the fact. It +will not, therefore, be out of place to give the names and nationalities +of the officers and crew on board the Kearsarge during her action with the +Alabama.</p> + +<p class="center"><br />OFFICERS OF THE U.S.S. KEARSARGE, <span class="smcap">June 19, 1864</span>.</p> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="5" summary="table"> +<tr><td align="center"><small>NAMES.</small></td><td><span class="spacer"> </span></td> + <td align="center"><small>RANK.</small></td><td><span class="spacer"> </span></td> + <td align="center"><small>NATIVE OF</small></td></tr> +<tr><td>John A. Winslow</td><td> </td> + <td>Captain</td><td> </td> + <td>North Carolina<small><a name="f11.1" id="f11.1" href="#f11">[11]</a></small></td></tr> +<tr><td>James S. Thornton</td><td> </td> + <td>Lieut. Commander</td><td> </td> + <td>New Hampshire</td></tr> +<tr><td>John M. Browne</td><td> </td> + <td>Surgeon</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>J. Adams Smith</td><td> </td> + <td>Paymaster</td><td> </td> + <td>Maine</td></tr> +<tr><td>Wm. H. Cushman</td><td> </td> + <td>Chief Engineer</td><td> </td> + <td>Pennsylvania</td></tr> +<tr><td><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span>James R. Wheeler</td><td> </td> + <td>Acting Master</td><td> </td> + <td>Massachusetts</td></tr> +<tr><td>Eben. M. Stoddard</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: 1.25em;">"</span><span style="margin-left: 2.25em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td>Connecticut</td></tr> +<tr><td>David H. Sumner</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: 1.25em;">"</span><span style="margin-left: 2.25em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td>Maine</td></tr> +<tr><td>Wm. H. Badlam</td><td> </td> + <td>2d Asst. Engr.</td><td> </td> + <td>Massachusetts</td></tr> +<tr><td>Fred. L. Miller</td><td> </td> + <td>3d<span style="margin-left: 1em;">"</span><span style="margin-left: 2em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>Sidney L. Smith</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: .5em;">"</span><span style="margin-left: 1.25em;">"</span><span style="margin-left: 2em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>Henry McConnell</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: .5em;">"</span><span style="margin-left: 1.25em;">"</span><span style="margin-left: 2em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td>Pennsylvania</td></tr> +<tr><td>Edward E. Preble</td><td> </td> + <td>Midshipman</td><td> </td> + <td>Maine</td></tr> +<tr><td>Daniel B. Sargent</td><td> </td> + <td>Paymaster’s Clerk</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: 1em;">"</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>S. E. Hartwell</td><td> </td> + <td>Captain’s Clerk</td><td> </td> + <td>Massachusetts</td></tr> +<tr><td>Franklin A. Graham</td><td> </td> + <td>Gunner</td><td> </td> + <td>Pennsylvania</td></tr> +<tr><td>James C. Walton</td><td> </td> + <td>Boatswain</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>Wm. H. Yeaton</td><td> </td> + <td>Acting Master’s Mate</td><td> </td> + <td>United States</td></tr> +<tr><td>Chas. H. Danforth</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: 1.25em;">"</span><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"</span><span style="margin-left: 2.75em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td>Massachusetts</td></tr> +<tr><td>Ezra Bartlett</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: 1.25em;">"</span><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"</span><span style="margin-left: 2.75em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td>New Hampshire</td></tr> +<tr><td>George A. Tittle</td><td> </td> + <td>Surgeon’s Steward</td><td> </td> + <td>United States</td></tr> +<tr><td>Carsten B. De Witt</td><td> </td> + <td>Yeoman</td><td> </td> + <td>United States</td></tr></table> + +<p class="center"><br />CREW OF THE U.S.S. KEARSARGE, <span class="smcap">June 19, 1864</span>.</p> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="5" summary="table"> +<tr><td align="center"><small>NAMES.</small></td><td><span class="spacer"> </span></td> + <td align="center"><small>RANK.</small></td><td><span class="spacer"> </span></td> + <td align="center"><small>NATIVE OF</small></td></tr> + +<tr><td>Jason N. Watrus</td><td> </td> + <td>Master-at-arms</td><td> </td> + <td>United States</td></tr> +<tr><td>Charles Jones</td><td> </td> + <td>Seaman</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Daniel Charter</td><td> </td> + <td>Landsman</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Edward Williams</td><td> </td> + <td>Officers’ Steward</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>George Williams</td><td> </td> + <td>Landsman</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Charles Butts</td><td> </td> + <td>Quartermaster</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Charles Redding</td><td> </td> + <td>Landsman</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>James Wilson</td><td> </td> + <td>Coxswain</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>William Gowen (died)</td><td> </td> + <td>Ordinary seaman</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>James Saunders</td><td> </td> + <td>Quartermaster</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>John W. Dempsey</td><td> </td> + <td>Quarter-gunner</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>William D. Chapel</td><td> </td> + <td>Landsman</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Thomas Perry</td><td> </td> + <td>Boatswain’s-mate</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>John Barrow</td><td> </td> + <td>Ordinary seaman</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>William Bond</td><td> </td> + <td>Boatswain’s-mate</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>James Haley</td><td> </td> + <td>Capt. of Fo’castle</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span>Robert Strahn</td><td> </td> + <td>Capt. Top</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Jas. O. Stone</td><td> </td> + <td>1st class boy</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Jacob Barth</td><td> </td> + <td>Landsman</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Jno. H. McCarthey</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: 2em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Jas. F. Hayes</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: 2em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>John Hayes</td><td> </td> + <td>Coxswain</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>James Devine</td><td> </td> + <td>Landsman</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>George H. Russell</td><td> </td> + <td>Armourer</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Patrick McKeever</td><td> </td> + <td>Landsman</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Nathan Ives</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: 2em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Dennis McCarty</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: 2em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>John Boyle</td><td> </td> + <td>Ordinary seaman</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>John C. Woodberry</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: 3em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>George E. Read</td><td> </td> + <td>Seaman</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>James Morey</td><td> </td> + <td>Ordinary seaman</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Benedict Drury</td><td> </td> + <td>Seaman</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>William Giles</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Timothy Hurley</td><td> </td> + <td>Ship’s Cook</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Michael Conroy</td><td> </td> + <td>Ordinary seaman</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Levi W. Nye</td><td> </td> + <td>Seaman</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>James H. Lee</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>John E. Brady</td><td> </td> + <td>Ordinary seaman</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Andrew J. Rowley</td><td> </td> + <td>Quarter-gunner</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>James Bradley</td><td> </td> + <td>Seaman</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>William Ellis</td><td> </td> + <td>Capt. Hold</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Henry Cook</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: 1em;">"</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">After-guard</span></td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Charles A. Read</td><td> </td> + <td>Seaman</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Wm. S. Morgan</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Joshua E. Carey</td><td> </td> + <td>Sailmaker’s mate</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>James Magee</td><td> </td> + <td>Ordinary seaman</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Benjamin S. Davis</td><td> </td> + <td>Officers’ Cook</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>John F. Bickford</td><td> </td> + <td>Coxswain</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>William Gurney</td><td> </td> + <td>Seaman</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>William Smith</td><td> </td> + <td>Quartermaster</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Lawrence T. Crowley</td><td> </td> + <td>Ordinary seaman</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Hugh McPherson</td><td> </td> + <td>Gunner’s mate</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Taran Phillips</td><td> </td> + <td>Ordinary seaman</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Joachim Pease</td><td> </td> + <td>Seaman</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span>Benj. H. Blaisdell</td><td> </td> + <td>1st Class Fireman</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Joel B. Blaisdell</td><td> </td> + <td>1st Class Fireman</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Charles Fisher</td><td> </td> + <td>Officers’ Cook</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>James Henson</td><td> </td> + <td>Landsman</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Wm. M. Smith</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: 2em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>William Fisher</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: 2em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>George Bailey</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: 2em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Martin Hoyt</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: 2em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Mark G. Ham</td><td> </td> + <td>Carpenter’s-mate</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>William H. Bastine</td><td> </td> + <td>Landsman</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Leyman P. Spinney</td><td> </td> + <td>Coal-Heaver</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>George E. Smart</td><td> </td> + <td>2d Class Fireman</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Charle A. Poole</td><td> </td> + <td>Coal-Heaver</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Timothy Lynch</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: 2em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Will. H. Donnally</td><td> </td> + <td>1st Class Fireman</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Sylvanus P. Brackett</td><td> </td> + <td>Coal-Heaver</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>John W. Sanborn</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: 2em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Adoniram Littlefield</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: 2em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>John W. Young</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: 2em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Will. Wainwright</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: 2em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Jno. E. Orchon</td><td> </td> + <td>2d Class Fireman</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Geo. W. Remick</td><td> </td> + <td>1st<span style="margin-left: 1.25em;">"</span><span style="margin-left: 2em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Joel L. Sanborn</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: .5em;">"</span><span style="margin-left: 1.6em;">"</span><span style="margin-left: 2em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Jere Young</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: .5em;">"</span><span style="margin-left: 1.6em;">"</span><span style="margin-left: 2em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>William Smith</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: .5em;">"</span><span style="margin-left: 1.6em;">"</span><span style="margin-left: 2em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Stephen Smith</td><td> </td> + <td>2d<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">"</span><span style="margin-left: 2em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>John F. Stackpole</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: .5em;">"</span><span style="margin-left: 1.75em;">"</span><span style="margin-left: 2em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>William Stanley</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: .5em;">"</span><span style="margin-left: 1.75em;">"</span><span style="margin-left: 2em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Lyman H. Hartford</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: .5em;">"</span><span style="margin-left: 1.75em;">"</span><span style="margin-left: 2em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>True W. Priest</td><td> </td> + <td>1st<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">"</span><span style="margin-left: 2em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Joseph Dugan</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: .5em;">"</span><span style="margin-left: 1.75em;">"</span><span style="margin-left: 2em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>John F. Dugan</td><td> </td> + <td>Coal-Heaver</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Jas. W. Sheffield</td><td> </td> + <td>2d Class Fireman</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Chas. T. Young</td><td> </td> + <td>Orderly Sergeant</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Austin Quimley</td><td> </td> + <td>Corporal of Marines</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Roscoe G. Dolley</td><td> </td> + <td>Private<span style="margin-left: 1.25em;">"</span><span style="margin-left: 2em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Patrick Flood</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">"</span><span style="margin-left: 2em;">"</span><span style="margin-left: 2em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Henry Hobson</td><td> </td> + <td>Corporal<span style="margin-left: .5em;">"</span><span style="margin-left: 2em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span>James Kerrigan</td><td> </td> + <td>Private<span style="margin-left: 1.25em;">"</span><span style="margin-left: 2em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>John McAleen</td><td> </td> + <td>Private of Marines</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>George A. Raymond</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: 1.25em;">"</span><span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">"</span><span style="margin-left: 2em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>James Tucker</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: 1.25em;">"</span><span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">"</span><span style="margin-left: 2em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Isaac Thornton</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: 1.25em;">"</span><span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">"</span><span style="margin-left: 2em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Wm. Y. Evans</td><td> </td> + <td>Nurse</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Wm. B. Poole</td><td> </td> + <td>Quartermaster</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>F. J. Veannoh</td><td> </td> + <td>Capt. Afterguard</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Charles Hill</td><td> </td> + <td>Landsman</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Henry Jameson</td><td> </td> + <td>1st Class Fireman</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>John G. Batchelder</td><td> </td> + <td>Private of Marines</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Jno. Dwyer</td><td> </td> + <td>1st Class Fireman</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Thomas Salmon</td><td> </td> + <td>2d<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">"</span><span style="margin-left: 2em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Patrick O. Conner</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: .5em;">"</span><span style="margin-left: 1.75em;">"</span><span style="margin-left: 2em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Geo. H. Harrison</td><td> </td> + <td>Ordinary seaman</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Geo. Andrew</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: 1.75em;">"</span><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Charles Moore</td><td> </td> + <td>Seaman</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Geo. A. Whipple</td><td> </td> + <td>Ordinary seaman</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Edward Wallace</td><td> </td> + <td>Seaman</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Thomas Marsh</td><td> </td> + <td>Coal-Heaver</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Thomas Buckley</td><td> </td> + <td>Ordinary seaman</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Edward Wilt</td><td> </td> + <td>Capt. Top</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>George H. Kinne</td><td> </td> + <td>Ordinary seaman</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Augustus Johnson</td><td> </td> + <td>Seaman</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Jeremiah Horrigan</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Wm. O’Halloran</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Wm. Turner</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Joshua Collins</td><td> </td> + <td>Ordinary seaman</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>James McBeath</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: 1.75em;">"</span><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>John Pope</td><td> </td> + <td>Coal-Heaver</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Charles Mattison</td><td> </td> + <td>Ordinary seaman</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>George Baker</td><td> </td> + <td>Seaman</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Timothy G. Cauty</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>John Shields</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Thomas Alloway</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Phillip Weeks</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>William Barnes</td><td> </td> + <td>Landsman</td><td> </td> + <td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Wm. Alsdorf</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td>Holland</td></tr> +<tr><td><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span>Clement Antoine</td><td> </td> + <td>Coal-Heaver</td><td> </td> + <td>Western Islands</td></tr> +<tr><td>Jose Dabney</td><td> </td> + <td>Landsman</td><td> </td> + <td>Western Islands</td></tr> +<tr><td>Benj. Button</td><td> </td> + <td>Coal-Heaver</td><td> </td> + <td>Malay<span style="margin-left: 2em;">"</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>Jean Briset</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td>France</td></tr> +<tr><td>Vanburn Francois</td><td> </td> + <td>Landsman</td><td> </td> + <td>Holland</td></tr> +<tr><td>Peter Ludy</td><td> </td> + <td>Seaman</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">"</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>George English</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td>England</td></tr> +<tr><td>Jonathan Brien</td><td> </td> + <td>Landsman</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">"</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>Manuel J. Gallardo</td><td> </td> + <td>2d Class Boy</td><td> </td> + <td>Spain</td></tr> +<tr><td>John M. Sonius</td><td> </td> + <td>1st<span style="margin-left: 1em;">"</span><span style="margin-left: 1.75em;">"</span></td><td> </td> + <td>Holland</td></tr></table> + +<p>It thus appears that out of one hundred and sixty-three (163) officers and +crew of the sloop-of-war Kearsarge, there are only eleven (11) persons +foreign born.</p> + +<p>The following is the Surgeon’s report of casualties amongst the crew of +the Kearsarge during the action:</p> + +<div class="note"> +<p class="right"><span style="padding-right: 6em;">“<span class="smcap">U. S. S. S. Kearsarge</span>,</span><br /> +<span style="padding-right: 5em;">“<span class="smcap">Cherbourg, France</span>,</span><br /> +<span style="padding-right: 2em;">“<i>Afternoon, June 19, 1864</i>.</span></p> + +<p>“Sir—I report the following casualties resulting from the engagement +this morning with the steamer ‘Alabama.’</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John W. Dempsey</span>, Quarter-gunner. Compound comminuted fracture of right +arm, lower third, and fore-arm. Arm amputated.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">William Gowen</span>, Ordinary seaman. Compound fracture of left thigh and +leg. Seriously wounded.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">James McBeath</span>, Ordinary seaman. Compound fracture of left leg. +Severely wounded.</p> + +<p>I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,</p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 8em;"><span class="smcap">John M. Browne</span>,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 10em;">Surgeon U. S. Navy.</span></p> + +<p>“Captain <span class="smcap">John A. Winslow</span>,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">“Comd’g U. S. S. S. Kearsarge, Cherbourg.”</span></p></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span>All these men were wounded by the same shot, a 68-pounder, which passed +through the starboard bulwarks below main-rigging, narrowly escaping the +after 11-inch pivot-gun. The fuses employed by the Alabama were +villainously bad, several shells having lodged in the Kearsarge without +taking effect. Had the 7-inch rifle shot exploded which entered the vessel +at the starboard quarter, raising the deck by its concussion several +inches and lodging in the rudder-post, the action might have lasted some +time longer. It would not, however, have altered the result, for the +casualty occurred towards the close of the conflict. During my visit, I +witnessed the operation of cutting out a 32-pounder shell (time fuse) from +the rail close forward of the fore pivot 11-inch port; the officer in +charge of the piece informed me that the concussion actually raised the +gun and carriage, and, had it exploded, many of the crew would have been +injured by the fragments and splinters.</p> + +<p>Among the incidents of the fight, some of our papers relate that a 11-inch +shell from the Kearsarge fell upon the deck of the Alabama, and was +immediately taken up and thrown overboard. Probably no fight ever occurred +in modern times in which somebody didn’t pick up a live shell and throw it +out of harm’s way; but we may be permitted to doubt in this case—5-second +fuses take effect somewhat rapidly; the shot weighs considerably more than +a hundred-weight, and is uncomfortably difficult to lay hold of. Worse +than all for the probabilities of the story, fifteen pounds of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span>powder—never more nor less—were used to every shot fired from the +11-inch pivots, the Kearsarge only opening fire from them when within +eight hundred yards of the Alabama. With 15 pounds of powder and fifteen +degrees of elevation, I have myself seen these 11-inch Dahlgrens throw +three and a half miles; and yet we are asked to credit that, with the same +charge at less than half a mile, one of the shells <i>fell</i> upon the deck of +the privateer. There are eleven marines in the crew of the Kearsarge: +probably the story was made for them.</p> + + +<p class="center"><br /><span class="large">THE REPORTED FIRING UPON THE ALABAMA AFTER HER SURRENDER.</span></p> + +<p>Captain Semmes makes the following statement in his official report:</p> + +<p>“Although we were now but 400 yards from each other, the enemy fired upon +me five times after my colours had been struck. It is charitable to +suppose that a ship of war of a Christian nation could not have done this +intentionally.”</p> + +<p>A very nice appeal after the massacre of Fort Pillow, especially when +coming from a man who has spent the previous two years of his life in +destroying unresisting merchantmen.</p> + +<p>The Captain of the Kearsarge was never aware of the Alabama having struck +until a boat put off from her to his own vessel. Prisoners subsequently +stated that she had fired a lee-gun, but the fact was not known on board +the Federal ship, nor that the colours were hauled<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> down in token of +surrender. A single fact will prove the humanity with which Captain +Winslow conducted the fight. At the close of the action, his deck was +found to be literally covered with grape and canister, ready for close +quarters; but he had never used a single charge of all this during the +contest, although within capital range for employing it.</p> + + +<p class="center"><br /><span class="large">THE FEELING AFTER THE BATTLE.</span></p> + +<p>The wounded of the two vessels were transferred shortly after the action +to the Naval Hospital at Cherbourg. I paid a visit to that establishment +on the Sunday following the engagement, and found the sufferers lying in +comfortable beds alongside each other in a long and admirably ventilated +ward on the first floor. Poor Gowen, who died the following Tuesday, was +in great pain, and already had the seal of death upon his face. James +McBeath, a young fellow of apparently twenty years, with a compound +fracture of the leg, chatted with much animation; while Dempsey, the stump +of his right arm laid on the pillow, was comfortably smoking a cigar, and +laughing and talking with one of the Alabama crew, in the bed alongside +him. The wounded men of the sunken privateer were unmistakably English in +physiognomy, and I failed to discover any who were not countrymen of ours. +I conversed with all of them, stating at the outset that I was an +Englishman like themselves, and the information seemed to open their +hearts to me. They represented themselves as very comfortable at the +hospital, that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> every thing they asked for was given to them, and that +they were surprised at the kindness of the Kearsarge men who came to visit +the establishment, when they were assured by their own officers before the +action that foul treatment would only be shown them in the event of their +capture. Condoling with one poor fellow who had his leg carried away by a +shell, he remarked to me, “Ah, it serves me right! they won’t catch me +fighting again without knowing what I’m fighting for.” “That’s me too,” +said another poor Englishman alongside of him.</p> + +<p>The paroled prisoners (four officers) on shore at Cherbourg, evinced no +hostility whatever to their captors, but were always on the friendliest of +terms with them. All alike frequented the same hotel in the town +(curiously enough—“The Eagle,”) played billiards at the same <i>café</i>, and +bought their pipes, cigars, and tobacco from the same pretty little +<i>brunette</i> on the <i>Quai du Port</i>.</p> + +<p>The following are the names of the officers and crew of the Alabama, saved +by the Kearsarge:</p> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="5" summary="table"> +<tr><td>Francis L. Galt, of Virginia, Assistant Surgeon.</td></tr> +<tr><td>Joseph Wilson, Third Lieutenant.</td></tr> +<tr><td>Miles J. Freeman, Engineer,</td><td><span class="spacer"> </span></td><td><i>Englishman</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td>John W. Pundt, Third Assistant Engineer.</td></tr> +<tr><td>Benjamin L. McCaskey, Boatswain.</td></tr> +<tr><td>William Forrestall, Quartermaster,</td><td> </td><td><i>Englishman</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td>Thomas Potter, Fireman,</td><td> </td><td><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>Samuel Williams,<span style="margin-left: 1.25em;">"</span></td><td> </td><td><i>Welshman</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span>Patrick Bradley,<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">"</span></td><td> </td><td><i>Englishman</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td>John Orrigin, Fireman,</td><td> </td><td><i>Irishman</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td>George Freemantle, Seaman,</td><td> </td><td><i>Englishman</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td>Edgar Tripp,<span style="margin-left: 4.25em;">"</span></td><td> </td><td><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>John Neil,<span style="margin-left: 5.2em;">"</span></td><td> </td><td><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>Thomas Winter, Fireman,</td><td> </td><td><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>Martin King, Seaman.</td></tr> +<tr><td>Joseph Pearson,<span style="margin-left: 1em;">"</span></td><td> </td><td><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>James Hicks, Capt. Hold,</td><td> </td><td><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>R. Parkinson, Wardroom Steward,</td><td> </td><td><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>John Emory, Seaman,</td><td> </td><td><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>Thomas L. Parker, boy,</td><td> </td><td><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>Peter Hughes, Capt. Top,</td><td> </td><td><span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"</span></td></tr></table> + +<p>(All the above belonged to the Alabama when she first sailed from the +Mersey, and John Neil, John Emory, and Peter Hughes belong to the “Royal +Naval Reserve.”)</p> + +<p>Seamen.—William Clark, David Leggett, Samuel Henry, John Russell, John +Smith, Henry McCoy, Edward Bussell, James Ochure, John Casen, Henry +Higgin, Frank Hammond, Michael Shields, David Thurston, George Peasey, +Henry Yates.</p> + +<p>Ordinary Seamen.—Henry Godsen, David Williams, Henry Hestlake, Thomas +Watson, John Johnson, Match Maddock, Richard Evans, William Miller, George +Cousey, Thomas Brandon.</p> + +<p>Coxswains.—William McKenzie, James Broderick, William Wilson.</p> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="5" summary="table"> +<tr><td>Edward Rawes, Master-at-Arms.</td></tr> +<tr><td><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span>Henry Tucker, Officers’ Cook.</td></tr> +<tr><td>William Barnes, Quarter-gunner.</td></tr> +<tr><td>Jacob Verbor, Seaman,</td><td rowspan="2"><span class="giant">}</span></td><td rowspan="4"><i>Wounded</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td>Robert Wright, Capt. M. Top,</td></tr> +<tr><td>Wm. McGuire, Capt. F. Top,</td><td rowspan="2"><span class="giant">}</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>Wm. McGinley, Coxswain,</td></tr> +<tr><td>John Benson, Coal-Heaver.</td></tr> +<tr><td>James McGuire,<span style="margin-left: 2em;">"</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>Frank Currian, Fireman.</td></tr> +<tr><td>Peter Laperty,<span style="margin-left: 2em;">"</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>John Riley,<span style="margin-left: 3.25em;">"</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>Nicholas Adams, Landsman.</td></tr> +<tr><td>James Clemens, Yeoman.</td></tr> +<tr><td>James Wilson, Boy.</td></tr></table> + +<p>These men, almost without exception, are subjects of Her Majesty the +Queen. There were also three others, who died in the boats, names not +known.</p> + +<p>The following are those reported to have been killed or drowned:</p> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="5" summary="table"> +<tr><td>David Herbert Llewellyn, Surgeon,</td><td><i>Welshman</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td>William Robinson, Carpenter.</td></tr> +<tr><td>James King, Master-at-Arms,</td><td><i>Savannah Pilot</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td>Peter Duncan, Fireman,</td><td><i>Englishman</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td>Andrew Shillings,</td><td><i>Scotchman</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td>Charles Puist, Coal-passer,</td><td><i>German</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td>Frederick Johns, Purser’s Steward,</td><td><i>Englishman</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td>Samuel Henry, Seaman,</td><td><span style="margin-left: 2em;">"</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>John Roberts,<span style="margin-left: 2em;">"</span></td><td><i>Welshman</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td>Peter Henry,<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"</span></td><td><i>Irishman</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span>George Appleby, Yeoman,</td><td><i>Englishman</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td>A. G. Bartelli, Seaman,</td><td><i>Portuguese</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td>Henry Fisher,<span style="margin-left: 2em;">"</span></td><td><i>Englishman</i>.</td></tr></table> + +<p>The above all belonged to the original crew of the Alabama.</p> + +<p>The Deerhound carried off, according to her own account, forty-one; the +names of the following are known:</p> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="5" summary="table"> +<tr><td>Raphael Semmes, Captain.</td></tr> +<tr><td>John M. Kell, First Lieutenant.</td></tr> +<tr><td>Arthur Sinclair, Jun., Second Lieutenant.</td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="2">R. K. Howell, Lieutenant of Marines. (This person is brother-in-law of Mr. Jefferson Davis.)</td></tr> +<tr><td>W. H. Sinclair, Midshipman.</td></tr> +<tr><td>J. S. Bullock, Acting Master.</td></tr> +<tr><td>E. A. Maffit, Midshipman.</td></tr> +<tr><td>E. M. Anderson,<span style="margin-left: 2em;">"</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>M. O’Brien, Third Assistant Surgeon.</td></tr> +<tr><td>George T. Fullam, Master’s Mate,</td><td><i>Englishman</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td>James Evans,<span style="margin-left: 5em;">"</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>Max Meulnier,<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;">"</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>J. Schrader,<span style="margin-left: 5.5em;">"</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>W. B. Smith, Captain’s Clerk.</td></tr> +<tr><td>J. O. Cuddy, Gunner.</td></tr> +<tr><td>J. G. Dent, Quartermaster.</td></tr> +<tr><td>James McFadgen, Fireman,</td><td><i>Englishman</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td>Orran Duffy, Fireman,</td><td><i>Irishman</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td>W. Crawford,</td><td><i>Englishman</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td>Brent Johnson, Second Boat Mate,</td><td><span style="margin-left: 2em;">"</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>William Nevins,</td><td><span style="margin-left: 2em;">"</span></td></tr> +<tr><td>William Hearn, Seaman,</td><td><span style="margin-left: 2em;">"</span></td></tr></table> + +<p>The last four belong to the “Royal Naval Reserve.”</p> + + +<p class="center"><br /><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span><span class="large">MOVEMENTS OF THE ENGLISH YACHT DEERHOUND.</span></p> + +<p>That an English yacht, one belonging to the Royal Yacht Squadron, and +flying the White Ensign, too, during the conflict, should have assisted +the Confederate prisoners to escape after they had formally surrendered +themselves, according to their own statement, by firing a lee-gun, +striking their colours, hoisting a white flag, and sending a boat to the +Kearsarge—some of which signals must have been witnessed from the deck of +the Deerhound, is most humiliating to the national honour. The movements +of the yacht early on Sunday morning were as before shown, most +suspicious; and had Captain Winslow followed the advice and reiterated +requests of his officers when she steamed off, the Deerhound might now +have been lying not far distant from the Alabama. Captain Winslow however, +could not believe that a gentleman who was asked by himself “to save life” +would use the opportunity to decamp with the officers and men who, +according to their own act, were prisoners-of-war. There is high +presumptive evidence that the Deerhound was at Cherbourg for the express +purpose of rendering every assistance possible to the corsair; and we may +be permitted to doubt whether Mr. Lancaster, the friend of Mr. Laird, and +a member of the Mersey Yacht Club, would have carried Captain Winslow and +his officers to Southampton if the result of the struggle had been +reversed, and the Alabama had sent the Kearsarge to the bottom.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span>The Deerhound reached Cherbourg on the 17th of June, and between that time +and the night of the 18th, boats were observed from the shore passing +frequently between her and the Alabama. It is reported that English +gunners come over from England purposely to assist the privateer in the +fight; this I heard before leaving London, and the assertion was repeated +to me again at Havre, Honfleur, Cherbourg, and Paris. If this be the fact, +how did the men reach Cherbourg? On the 14th of June, Captain Semmes sends +his challenge to the Kearsarge through Monsieur Bonfils, stating it to be +his intention to fight her “as soon as I can make the necessary +arrangements.” Two full days elapse, during which he takes on board 150 +tons additional of coal, and places for security in the Custom House the +following valuables:</p> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="5" summary="table"> +<tr><td>38 kilo. 700 gr. of Gold coin,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 4em;">6 gr. of Jewelery and set Diamonds,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 4em;">2 Gold Watches.</span></td></tr></table> + +<p>What then became of the pillage of a hundred merchantmen, the +chronometers, etc., which the <i>Times</i> describes as the “<i>spolia opima</i> of +a whole mercantile fleet?” Those could not be landed on French soil, and +were not: did they go to the bottom with the ship herself, or are they +saved?</p> + +<p>Captain Semmes’ preparations are apparently completed on the 16th, but +still he lingers behind the famous breakwater, much to the surprise of his +men. The Deerhound arrives at length, and the preparations are rapidly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> +completed. How unfortunate that Mr. Lancaster did not favour the <i>Times</i> +with a copy of his log-book from the 12th to the 19th of June inclusive!</p> + +<p>The record of the Deerhound is suggestive on the morning of that memorable +Sunday. She steams out from behind the Cherbourg breakwater at an early +hour,—scouts hither and thither, apparently purposeless—runs back to her +anchorage—precedes the Alabama to sea—is the solitary and close +spectator of the fight whilst the Couronne has the delicacy to return to +port, and finally—having picked up Semmes, thirteen of his officers and a +few of his men—steams off at fullest speed to Southampton, leaving the +“<i>apparently much-disabled</i>” <i>Kearsarge</i> (Mr. Lancaster’s own words) to +save two-thirds of the Alabama’s drowning crew struggling in the water.</p> + +<p>An English gentleman’s yacht playing tender to a corsair! No one will ever +believe that Deerhound to be thorough-bred.</p> + + +<p class="center"><br /><span class="large">CONCLUSION.</span></p> + +<p>Such are the facts relating to the memorable action off Cherbourg on the +19th of June, 1864. The Alabama went down riddled through and through with +shot; and, as she sank beneath the green waves of the Channel, not a +single cheer arose from the victors. The order was given, “Silence, boys,” +and in perfect silence this terror of American commerce plunged to her +last resting place.</p> + +<p>There is but one key to the victory. The two vessels<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> were, as nearly as +possible, equals in size, speed, armament and crew, and the contest was +decided by the superiority of the 11-inch Dahlgren guns of the Kearsarge, +over the Blakely rifle and the vaunted 68-pounder of the Alabama, in +conjunction with the greater coolness and surer aim of the former’s crew. +The Kearsarge was not, as represented, specially armed and manned for +destroying her foe; but is in every respect similar to all the vessels of +her class (third-rate) in the United States Navy. Moreover, the large +majority of her officers are from the merchant service.</p> + +<p>The French at Cherbourg were by no means dilatory in recognizing the value +of these Dahlgren guns. Officers of all grades, naval and military alike, +crowded the vessel during her stay at their port; and they were all eyes +for the massive pivots and for nothing else. Guns, carriages, even rammers +and sponges, were carefully measured; and, if the pieces can be made in +France, many months will not elapse before their muzzles will be grinning +through the port-holes of French ships-of-war.</p> + +<p>We have no such gun in Europe as this 11-inch Dahlgren, but it is +considered behind the age in America. The 68-pounder is regarded by us as +a heavy piece; in the United States it is the minimum for large vessels; +whilst some ships, the “New Ironsides,” “Niagara,” “Vanderbilt,” etc., +carry the 11-inch <i>in broadside</i>. It is considered far too light, however, +for the sea-going ironclads, although throwing a solid shot of 160 pounds; +yet it has made a wonderful stir on both sides of the Channel.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> What, +then, will be thought of the 15-inch gun, throwing a shot of 480 pounds, +or of the 200-pound Parrot, with its range of five miles?</p> + +<p>We are arming our ironclads with 9-inch smooth-bores and 100-pounder +rifles, whilst the Americans are constructing their armour-ships to resist +the impact of 11 and 15-inch shot. By next June, the United States will +have in commission the following ironclads:</p> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="5" summary="table"> +<tr><td>Dunderberg,</td><td><span class="spacer"> </span></td> + <td>5,090</td><td>tons,</td><td><span class="spacer"> </span></td> + <td>10</td><td>guns.</td></tr> +<tr><td>Dictator,</td><td> </td> + <td>3,033</td><td align="center">"</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: .5em;">2</span></td><td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Kalamazoo,</td><td> </td> + <td>3,200</td><td align="center">"</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: .5em;">4</span></td><td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Passaconaway,</td><td> </td> + <td>3,200</td><td align="center">"</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: .5em;">4</span></td><td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Puritan,</td><td> </td> + <td>3,265</td><td align="center">"</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: .5em;">4</span></td><td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Quinsigamond,</td><td> </td> + <td>3,200</td><td align="center">"</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: .5em;">4</span></td><td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Roanoke,</td><td> </td> + <td>3,435</td><td align="center">"</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: .5em;">6</span></td><td align="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Shakamaxon,</td><td> </td> + <td>3,200</td><td align="center">"</td><td> </td> + <td><span style="margin-left: .5em;">4</span></td><td align="center">"</td></tr></table> + +<p>These, too, without counting six others of “second class,” all alike armed +with the tremendous 15-inch, and built to cross the Atlantic in any +season. But it is not in ironclads alone that America is proving her +energy; first, second and third-rates, wooden built, are issuing +constantly from trans-Atlantic yards, and the Navy of the United States +now numbers no less than six hundred vessels and upwards, seventy-three of +which are ironclads.</p> + +<p>This is, indeed, an immense fleet for one nation, but we may, at all +events, rejoice that it will be used to defend—in the words of the wisest +and noblest of English statesmen—“the democratic principle, or, if that +term is offensive, popular sovereignty.”</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span></p> +<h2>APPENDIX.</h2> + + +<p class="center"><br /><span class="large">LETTER OF CAPTAIN JOHN A. WINSLOW.</span></p> + +<p> </p> +<div class="note"> +<p class="right">“<span class="smcap">U. S. S. S. ‘Kearsarge,’ Off Dover</span>,<br /> +<i>July 13, 1864</i>.</p> + +<p>“<span class="smcap">My Dear Sir</span>—I have read the proof-sheet of your pamphlet, entitled ‘The +Alabama and the Kearsarge. An Account of the Naval Engagement in the +British Channel on Sunday, June 19, 1864.’ I can fully endorse the +pamphlet as giving a fair, unvarnished statement of all the facts both +prior and subsequent to the engagement.</p> + +<p>“With my best wishes, I remain, with feelings of obligation, very truly +yours,</p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 8em;">“<span class="smcap">John A. Winslow</span>.</span></p> + +<p>“<span class="smcap">Fred’k M. Edge, Esq.</span>,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">“<span class="smcap">London</span>.”</span></p></div> + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><strong>Footnotes:</strong></p> + +<p><a name="f1" id="f1" href="#f1.1">[1]</a> The Kearsarge has a four-bladed screw, diameter 12-ft 9-in. with a +pitch of 20-ft.</p> + +<p><a name="f2" id="f2" href="#f2.1">[2]</a> <i>The Career of the Alabama, “No. 290,” from July 26, 1862, to June 19, +1864.</i> London: Dorrell and Son.</p> + +<p><a name="f3" id="f3" href="#f3.1">[3]</a> Captain Winslow, in his first hurried report of the engagement, put +the space covered at 20 or 25 feet, believing this to be rather over than +under the mark. The above, however, is the exact measurement.</p> + +<p><a name="f4" id="f4" href="#f4.1">[4]</a> There was nothing whatever between the chain and the ship’s sides.</p> + +<p><a name="f5" id="f5" href="#f5.1">[5]</a> Including three dead.</p> + +<p><a name="f6" id="f6" href="#f6.1">[6]</a> See page 41.</p> + +<p><a name="f7" id="f7" href="#f7.1">[7]</a> The Kearsarge started on her present cruise the 4th of February, 1862; +the Alabama left the Mersey at the end of July following.</p> + +<p><a name="f8" id="f8" href="#f8.1">[8]</a> This information was incorrect. No such statement was ever made by the +Consul of the United States at Cherbourg. F. M. E.</p> + +<p><a name="f9" id="f9" href="#f9.1">[9]</a> The following is the copy of the log of the Kearsarge on the day in +question:</p> + +<p class="center">“June 19, 1864.<span style="margin-left: 12em;">“From 8 to Merid.</span></p> + +<p>“Moderate breeze from the Wd. weather b. c. At 10 o’clock, inspected crew +at quarters. At 10.20, discovered the Alabama steaming out from the port +of Cherbourg, accompanied by a French iron-clad steamer, and a +fore-and-aft rigged steamer showing the white English ensign and a yacht +flag. Beat to General Quarters, and cleared the ship for action. Steamed +ahead standing off shore. At 10.50, being distant from the land about two +leagues, altered our course and approached the Alabama. At 10.57, the +Alabama commenced the action with her starboard broadside at 1,000 yards +range. At 11, we returned her fire, and came fairly into action, which we +continued until Merid., when observing signs of distress in the enemy, +together with a cessation of her fire, our fire was withheld. At 12.10, a +boat with an officer from the Alabama came alongside and surrendered his +vessel, with the information that she was rapidly sinking, and a request +for assistance. Sent the Launch and 2d Cutter, the other boats being +disabled by the fire of the enemy. The English yacht before mentioned, +coming within hail, was requested by the Captain (W.) to render assistance +in saving the lives of the officers and crew of the surrendered vessel. At +2.24, the Alabama went down in forty fathoms of water, leaving most of the +crew struggling in the water. Seventy persons were rescued by the boats, +two pilot boats and the yacht also assisted. One pilot boat came alongside +us, but the other returned to the port. The yacht steamed rapidly away to +the Nd. without reporting the number of our prisoners she had picked up.</p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 8em;">“(Signed)</span><span class="spacer"> </span><span class="smcap">James S. Wheeler</span>, Actg. Master.”</p> + +<p><a name="f10" id="f10" href="#f10.1">[10]</a> According to the statement of prisoners captured, the Alabama fired +no less than three hundred and seventy times (shot and shell); more than +twice the number of the Kearsarge.</p> + +<p><a name="f11" id="f11" href="#f11.1">[11]</a> Captain Winslow has long been a citizen of the State of +Massachusetts.</p> + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of An Englishman's View of the Battle +between the Alabama and the Kearsarge, by Frederick Milnes Edge + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AN ENGLISHMAN'S VIEW *** + +***** This file should be named 36988-h.htm or 36988-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/6/9/8/36988/ + +Produced by The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images +generously made available by The Internet Archive/American +Libraries.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: An Englishman's View of the Battle between the Alabama and the Kearsarge + An Account of the Naval Engagement in the British Channel, + on Sunday June 19th, 1864 + +Author: Frederick Milnes Edge + +Release Date: August 6, 2011 [EBook #36988] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AN ENGLISHMAN'S VIEW *** + + + + +Produced by The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images +generously made available by The Internet Archive/American +Libraries.) + + + + + + + + + + AN ENGLISHMAN'S VIEW + OF THE BATTLE BETWEEN THE + ALABAMA AND THE KEARSARGE. + + AN ACCOUNT OF + + THE NAVAL ENGAGEMENT IN THE BRITISH CHANNEL, + ON SUNDAY, JUNE 19TH, 1864. FROM INFORMATION + PERSONALLY OBTAINED IN THE TOWN OF CHERBOURG, + AS WELL AS FROM THE OFFICERS AND CREW OF THE + UNITED STATES' SLOOP-OF-WAR KEARSARGE, AND + THE WOUNDED AND PRISONERS OF THE CONFEDERATE + PRIVATEER. + + + BY FREDERICK MILNES EDGE. + + + NEW YORK: + ANSON D. F. RANDOLPH, + No. 770 BROADWAY. + 1864. + + + + +Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1864, BY ANSON D. F. +RANDOLPH, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States +for the Southern District of New York. + + + EDWARD O. JENKINS, + Printer and Stereotyper, + 20 NORTH WILLIAM STREET. + + + + + This Record + OF + A MOST GLORIOUS VICTORY + GAINED IN THE CAUSE OF + JUSTICE AND HUMANITY, + IS + DEDICATED TO + THAT NOBLE OFFSPRING OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE + + The Sanitary Commission of the United States, + + BY + THEIR OBEDIENT SERVANT, + THE AUTHOR. + + LONDON, _July 14, 1864_. + + + + +The writer of this pamphlet is an English gentleman of intelligence now +residing in London, who has spent some time in this country, and is known +and esteemed by many of our best citizens. He visited Cherbourg for the +express purpose of making the inquiry and investigation, the results of +which are embodied in the following pages, and generously devotes the +pecuniary results of his copyright to the funds of the SANITARY +COMMISSION. + + + + +The Alabama and the Kearsarge. + + +The importance of the engagement between the United States Sloop-of-war, +Kearsarge, and the Confederate Privateer, Alabama, cannot be estimated by +the size of the two vessels. The conflict off Cherbourg on Sunday, the +19th of June, was the first decisive engagement between shipping propelled +by steam, and the first test of the merits of modern naval artillery. It +was, moreover, a contest for superiority between the ordnance of Europe +and America, whilst the result furnishes us with _data_ wherefrom to +estimate the relative advantages of rifled and smooth-bore cannon at short +range. + +Perhaps no greater or more numerous misrepresentations were ever made in +regard to an engagement than in reference to the one in question. The +first news of the conflict came to us enveloped in a mass of statements, +the greater part of which, not to use an unparliamentary expression, was +diametrically opposed to the truth; and although several weeks have now +elapsed since the Alabama followed her many defenceless victims to their +watery grave, these misrepresentations obtain as much credence as ever. +The victory of the Kearsarge was accounted for, and the defeat of the +Alabama excused or palliated upon the following principal reasons:-- + + 1. The superior size and speed of the Kearsarge. + + 2. The superiority of her armament. + + 3. The chain-plating at her sides. + + 4. The greater number of her crew. + + 5. The unpreparedness of the Alabama. + + 6. The assumed necessity of Captain Semmes' accepting the challenge + sent him (as represented) by the commander of the Kearsarge. + +Besides these misstatements there have been others put forth, either in +ignorance of the real facts of the case, or with a purposed intention of +diminishing the merit of the victory by casting odium upon the Federals on +the score of inhumanity. In the former category must be placed the remarks +of the _Times_ (June 21st); but it is just to state that the observations +in question were made on receipt of the first news, and from information +furnished probably by parties unconnected with the paper, and desirous of +palliating the Alabama's defeat by any means in their power. We are +informed in the article above referred to that the guns of the latter +vessel "had been pointed for 2,000 yards, and the second shot went right +through the Kearsarge," whereas no shot whatever went through as stated. +Again, "the Kearsarge fired about 100 (shot) chiefly 11-in. shell," the +fact being that not one-third of her projectiles were of that calibre. +Further on we find--"The men (of the Alabama) were all true to the last; +they only ceased firing when the water came to the muzzles of their guns." +Such a declaration as this is laughable in the extreme; the Alabama's +guns were all on the spar-deck, like those of the Kearsarge; and, to +achieve what the _Times_ represents, her men must have fought on until the +hull of their vessel was two feet under water. The truth is--if the +evidence of the prisoners saved by the Kearsarge may be taken--Captain +Semmes hauled down his flag immediately after being informed by his chief +engineer that the water was putting out the fires; and, within a few +minutes, the water gained so rapidly on the vessel that her bow rose +slowly in the air, and half her guns obtained a greater elevation than +they had ever known previously. It is unfortunate to find such cheap-novel +style of writing in a paper which at some future period may be referred to +as an authoritative chronicler of events now transpiring. + +It would be too long a task to notice all the numerous misstatements of +private individuals, and of the English and French press in reference to +this action: the best mode is to give the facts as they occurred, leaving +the public to judge by internal evidence on which side the truth exists. + +Within a few days of the fight, the writer of these pages crossed from +London to Cherbourg for the purpose of obtaining by personal examination +full and precise information in reference to the engagement. It would seem +as though misrepresentation, if not positive falsehood, were inseparable +from everything connected with the Alabama, for on reaching the French +naval station he was positively assured by the people on shore that +nobody was permitted to board the Kearsarge. Preferring, however, to +substantiate the truth of these allegations, from the officers of the +vessel themselves, he hired a boat and sailed out to the sloop, receiving +on his arrival an immediate and polite reception from Captain Winslow and +his gallant subordinates. During the six days he remained at Cherbourg, he +found the Kearsarge open to the inspection, above and below, of any and +everybody who chose to visit her; and he frequently heard surprise +expressed by English and French visitors alike that representations on +shore were so inconsonant with the truth of the case. + +I found the Kearsarge lying under the guns of the French ship-of-the-line +"Napoleon," two cables' length from that vessel, and about a mile and a +half from the harbour; she had not moved from that anchorage since +entering the port of Cherbourg, and no repairs whatever had been effected +in her hull since the fight. I had thus full opportunity to examine the +extent of her damage, and she certainly did not look at all like a vessel +which had just been engaged in one of the hottest conflicts of modern +times. + + +SIZE OF THE TWO VESSELS. + +The Kearsarge, in size, is by no means the terrible craft represented by +those who, for some reason or other, seek to detract from the honour of +her victory; she appeared to me a mere yacht in comparison with the +shipping around her, and disappointed many of the visitors who came to +see her. The relative proportions of the two antagonists were as +follows:-- + + ALABAMA. KEARSARGE. + Length over all 220 ft. 232 ft. + " of keel 210 " 198-1/2 " + Beam 32 " 33 " + Depth 17 " 16-1/2 " + Horse power, 2 engines of 300 each 400 h. p. + Tonnage 1,040 1,031[1] + +The Alabama was a barque-rigged screw propeller, and the heaviness of her +rig, and, above all, the greater size and height of her masts would give +her the appearance of a much larger vessel than her antagonist. The masts +of the latter are disproportionately low and small; she has never carried +more than top-sail yards, and depends for her speed upon her machinery +alone. It is to be questioned whether the Alabama, with all her reputation +for velocity, could, in her best trim, outsteam her rival. The log book of +the Kearsarge, which I was courteously permitted to examine, frequently +shows a speed of upwards of fourteen knots the hour, and her engineers +state that her machinery was never in better working order than at the +present time. I have not seen engines more compact in form, nor, +apparently, in finer condition; looking in every part as though they were +fresh from the workshop, instead of being, as they, are, half through the +third year of the cruise. + +Ships-of-war, however, whatever may be their tonnage, are nothing more +than platforms for carrying artillery. The only mode by which to judge of +the strength of the two vessels is in comparing their armaments; and +herein we find the equality of the antagonist as fully exemplified as in +the respective proportions of their hulls and steam-power. The armaments +of the Alabama and Kearsarge were are as follows: + + ARMAMENT OF THE ALABAMA. + + One 7-inch Blakely rifle. + One 8-inch smooth-bore (68-pounder). + Six 32-pounders. + + ARMAMENT OF THE KEARSARGE. + + Two 11-inch smooth-bore guns. + One 30-pounder rifle. + Four 32-pounders. + +It will therefore be seen that the Alabama had the advantage of the +Kearsarge--at all events in the number of her guns; whilst the weight of +the latter's broadside was only some 20 per cent. greater than her own. +This disparity, however, was more than made up by the greater rapidity of +the Alabama's firing, and, above all, by the superiority of her +artillerymen. The _Times_ informs us that Capt. Semmes asserts, "he owes +his best men to the training they received on board the 'Excellent;'" and +trained gunners must naturally be superior to the volunteer gunners on +board the Kearsarge. Each vessel fought all her guns, with the exception +in either case of one 32-pounder, on the starboard side; but the struggle +was really decided by the two 11-inch Dahlgren smooth-bores of the +Kearsarge against the 7-inch Blakely rifle and the heavy 68-pounder pivot +of the Alabama. The Kearsarge certainly carried a small 30-pounder rifled +Dahlgren in pivot on her forecastle, and this gun was fired several times +before the rest were brought into play; but the gun in question was never +regarded as aught than a failure, and the Ordnance Department of the +United States' Navy has given up its manufacture. + + +THE CHAIN-PLATING OF THE KEARSARGE. + +Great stress has been laid upon the chain-plating of the Kearsarge, and it +is assumed by interested parties that, but for this armour, the contest +would have resulted differently. A pamphlet lately published in this city, +entitled "The Career of the Alabama,"[2] makes the following statements: + +"The Federal Government had fitted out the Kearsarge, a new vessel of +great speed, _iron-coated_," &c. (p. 23). + +"She," the Kearsarge, "appeared to be _temporarily_ plated with iron +chains." (p. 38.) (In the previous quotation, it would appear she had so +been plated by the Federal Government: both statements are absolutely +incorrect, as will shortly be seen.) + +"It was frequently observed that shot and shell struck against the +Kearsarge's side, and harmlessly rebounded, bursting outside, and doing no +damage to the Federal crew." + +"Another advantage accruing from this was that it sank her very low in the +water, so low in fact, that the heads of the men who were in the boats +were on the level of the Kearsarge's deck." (p. 39.) + +"As before observed, the sides of the Kearsarge _were trailed all over +with chain cables_." (p. 41). + +The author of the pamphlet in question has judiciously refrained from +giving his name. A greater number of more unblushing misrepresentations +never were contained in an equal space. + +In his official report to the Confederate Envoy, Mr. Mason, Captain Semmes +makes the following statements: + +"At the end of the engagement, it was discovered by those of our officers +who went alongside the enemy's ship with the wounded, that her midship +section on both sides was thoroughly iron-coated; _this having been done +with chain constructed for the purpose_, (_!_) placed perpendicularly from +the rail to the water's edge, the whole covered over by a thin outer +planking, which gave no indication of the armour beneath. This planking +had been ripped off in every direction (!) by our shot and shell, the +chain broken and indented in many places, and forced partly into the +ship's side. She was most effectually guarded, however, in this section +from penetration." + +"The enemy was heavier than myself, both in ship, battery, and crew, (!) +_but I did not know until the action was over that she was also +iron-clad_." + +"Those of our officers who went alongside the enemy's ship with our +wounded." As soon as Captain Semmes reached the Deerhound, the yacht +steamed off at full speed towards Southampton, and Semmes wrote his report +of the fight either in England, or on board the English vessel. Probably +the former, for he dates his communication to Mr. Mason--"Southampton, +June 21, 1864." How did he obtain intelligence from those of his officers +"who went alongside the enemy's ship," and who would naturally be detained +as prisoners of war? It was impossible for anybody to reach Southampton in +the time specified; nevertheless he did obtain such information. One of +his officers--George T. Fullam, an Englishman unfortunately--came to the +Kearsarge in a boat at the close of the action, representing the Alabama +to be sinking, and that if the Kearsarge did not hasten to get out boats +to save life, the crew must go down with her. Not a moment was to be lost, +and he offered to go back to his own vessel to bring off prisoners, +pledging his honour to return when the object was accomplished. After +picking up several men struggling in the water, he steered directly for +the Deerhound, and on reaching her actually cast his boat adrift. It was +subsequently picked up by the Kearsarge. Fullam's name appears amongst the +list of "saved" by the Deerhound; and he, with others of the Alabama's +officers who had received a similar permission from their captors, and had +similarly broken their troth, of course gave the above information to +their veracious Captain. + +The chain-plating of the Kearsarge was decided upon in this wise. The +vessel lay off Fayal towards the latter part of April, 1863, on the look +out for a notorious blockade-runner, named the "Juno." The Kearsarge being +short of coal, and, fearing some attempts at opposition on the part of her +prey, the first officer of the sloop, Lieutenant-commander James S. +Thornton, suggested to Captain Winslow the advisability of hanging her two +sheet-anchor cables over her sides, so as to protect her midship section. +Mr. Thornton had served on board the flag-ship of Admiral Farragut, the +"Hartford" when she and the rest of the Federal fleet ran the forts of the +Mississippi to reach New Orleans; and he made the suggestion at Fayal +through having seen the advantage gained by it on that occasion. I now +copy the following extract from the log-book of the Kearsarge: + + "HORTA BAY, FAYAL (_May 1st, 1863._) + + "_From 8 to Merid._ Wind E.N.E. (F 2). Weather b. c. Strapped, loaded, + and fused (5 sec. fuse) 13 XI-inch shell. Commenced armour plating + ship, using sheet chain. Weighed kedge anchor. + + "(Signed) E. M. STODDARD, _Acting Master_." + +This operation of chain-armouring took three days, and was effected +without assistance from the shore and at an expense of material of +seventy-five dollars (L15). In order to make the addition less unsightly, +the chains were boxed over with 3/4-inch deal boards, forming a case, or +box, which stood out at right angles from the vessel's sides. This box +would naturally excite curiosity in every port where the Kearsarge +touched, and no mystery was made as to what the boarding covered. Captain +Semmes was perfectly cognizant of the entire affair, notwithstanding his +shameless assertion of ignorance; for he spoke about it to his officers +and crew several days prior to the 19th of June, declaring that the chains +were only attached together with rope-yarns, and would drop into the water +when struck with the first shot. I was so informed by his own wounded men +lying in the naval hospital at Cherbourg. Whatever might be the value for +defence of this chain-plating, it was only struck once during the +engagement, so far as I could discover by a long and close inspection. +Some of the officers of the Kearsarge asserted to me that it was struck +twice, whilst others deny that declaration: in one spot, however, a +32-pounder shot broke in the deal covering and smashed a single link, +two-thirds of which fell into the water. The remainder is in my +possession, and proves to be of the ordinary 5-1/4-inch chain. Had the +cable been struck by the rifled 120-pounder instead of by a 32, the result +might have been different; but in any case the damage would have amounted +to nothing serious, for the vessel's side was hit five feet above the +water-line and nowhere in the vicinity of the boilers or machinery. +Captain Semmes evidently regarded this protection of the chains as little +worth, for he might have adopted the same plan before engaging the +Kearsarge; but he confined himself to taking on board 150 tons of coal _as +a protection to his boilers_, which, in addition to the 200 tons already +in his bunkers, would bring him pretty low in the water. The Kearsarge, on +the contrary, was deficient in her coal, and she took what was necessary +on board during my stay at Cherbourg. + +The quantity of chain used on each side of the vessel in this +much-talked-of armouring is only 120 fathoms, and it covers a space +amidships of 49 ft. 6 in. in length, by 6 ft. 2 in. in depth.[3] The +chain, which is single, not double, was and is stopped to eye-bolts with +rope-yarn and by iron dogs.[4] Is it reasonable to suppose that this +plating of 1-7/10-inch iron (the thickness of the links of the chain) +could offer any serious resistance to the heavy 68-pounder and the 7 in. +Blakely rifle of the Alabama--at the comparatively close range of 700 +yards? What then becomes of the mistaken remark of the _Times_ that the +Kearsarge was "provided, as it turned out, with some special contrivances +for protection," or Semmes' declaration that she was "iron-clad?" "The +Career of the Alabama," in referring to this chain-plating, says--"Another +advantage accruing from this was that it sank her very low in the water, +so low in fact, that the heads of the men who were in the boats were on +the level of the Kearsarge's deck." It is simply ridiculous to suppose +that the weight of 240 fathoms of chain could have any such effect upon a +vessel of one thousand tons burden; whilst, in addition, the cable itself +was part of the ordinary equipment of the ship. Further, the supply of +coal on board the Kearsarge at the time of action was only 120 tons, while +the Alabama had 350 tons on board. + +The objection that the Alabama was short-handed does not appear to be +borne out by the facts of the case; while, on the other hand, a greater +number of men than were necessary to work the guns and ship would be more +of a detriment than a benefit to the Kearsarge. The latter vessel had 22 +officers on board, and 140 men: the Alabama is represented to have had +only 120 in her crew, (Mr. Mason's statement,) but if her officers be +included in this number, the assertion is obviously incorrect, for the +Kearsarge saved 67,[5] the Deerhound 41, and the French pilot-boats 12, +and this, without mentioning the 13 accounted for as killed and +wounded,[6] and others who went down with the ship. When the Alabama +arrived at Cherbourg, her officers and crew numbered 149. This information +was given by captains of American vessels who were held as prisoners on +board the privateer after the destruction of their ships; and their +information is indorsed by the captured officers of the Alabama now on +board the Kearsarge. It is known also that many persons tried to get on +board the Alabama while she lay in Cherbourg; but this the police +prevented as far as lay in their power. If Captain Semmes' representation +were correct in regard to his being short-handed, he certainly ought not +to be trusted with the command of a vessel again, however much he may be +esteemed by some parties for his Quixotism in challenging an +antagonist--to use his own words--"heavier than myself both in ship, +battery, and crew." + +The asserted unpreparedness of the Alabama is about as truthful as the +other representations, if we may take Captain Semmes' report, and certain +facts, in rebutting evidence. The Captain writes to Mr. Mason, "I cannot +deny myself the pleasure of saying that Mr. Kell, my First Lieutenant, +deserves great credit for the fine condition the ship was in when she went +into action;" but if Captain Semmes were right in the alleged want of +preparation, he himself is alone to blame. He had ample time for +protecting his vessel and crew in all possible manners; he, not the +Kearsarge was the aggressor; and but for his forcing the fight, the +Alabama might still be riding inside Cherbourg breakwater. Notwithstanding +the horrible cause for which he is struggling, and the atrocious +depredations he has committed upon helpless merchantmen, we can still +admire the daring he evinced in sallying forth from a secure haven and +gallantly attacking his opponent; but when he professes ignorance of the +character of his antagonist, and unworthily attempts to disparage the +victory of his foe, we forget all our first sympathies, and condemn the +moral nature of the man, as he has forced us to do his judgment. + +Nor must it be forgotten that the Kearsarge has had fewer opportunities +for repairs than the Alabama, and that she has been cruising around in all +seas _for a much longer period than her antagonist_.[7] The Alabama, on +the contrary, had lain for many days in Cherbourg, and she only steamed +forth when her Captain supposed her to be in, at all events, as good a +condition as the enemy. + + +THE CHALLENGE. + +Finally, the challenge to fight was given by the Alabama to the Kearsarge, +not by the Kearsarge to the Alabama. "The Career of the Alabama," above +referred to makes the following romantic statement: + +"When he (Semmes) was challenged by the commander of the Kearsarge, +everybody in Cherbourg, it appears, said it would be disgraceful if he +refused the challenge, and this, coupled with his belief that the +Kearsarge was not so strong as she really proved to be, made him agree to +fight." (p. 41.) + +On the Tuesday after the battle, and before leaving London for Cherbourg, +I was shown a telegram by a member of the House of Commons, forwarded to +him that morning. The telegram was addressed to one of the gentleman's +constituents by his son, a sailor on board the Alabama, and was dated "C. +S. S. Alabama, Cherbourg, June 14th," the sender stating that they were +about to engage the Kearsarge on the morrow, or next day. I have not a +copy of this telegram, but "The Career of the Alabama" gives a letter to +the like effect from the surgeon of the privateer, addressed to a +gentleman of this city. The letter reads as follows: + + "CHERBOURG, _June 14, 1864_. + + DEAR TRAVERS--Here we are. I send this by a gentleman coming to + London. An enemy is outside. _If she only stays long enough, we go out + and fight her._ If I live, expect to see me in London shortly. If I + die, give my best love to all who know me. If Monsieur A. de Caillet + should call on you, please show him every attention. + + "I remain, dear Travers, ever yours, + "D. H. LLEWELLYN." + +There were two brave gentlemen on board the Alabama--poor Llewellyn, who +nobly refused to save his own life, by leaving his wounded, and a young +Lieutenant, Mr. Joseph Wilson, who honourably delivered up his sword on +the deck of the Kearsarge, when the other officers threw theirs into the +water. + +The most unanswerable proof of Captain Semmes having challenged the +commander of the Kearsarge is to be found in the following letter +addressed by him to the Confederate consul, or agent, at Cherbourg. After +the publication of this document, it is to be hoped we shall hear no more +of Captain Winslow's having committed such a breach of discipline and +etiquette as that of challenging a rebel against his Government. + + +CAPTAIN SEMMES' CHALLENGE TO THE KEARSARGE. + + "C. S. S. ALABAMA, + "CHERBOURG, _June 14, 1864_. + + "To Ad. BONFILS, _Cherbourg_: + + "SIR--I hear that you were informed by the U. S. Consul, that the + Kearsarge was to come to this port solely for the prisoners landed by + me,[8] and that she was to depart in twenty-four hours. I desire you + to say to the U. S. Consul, that my intention is to fight the + Kearsarge as soon as I can make the necessary arrangements. I hope + these will not detain me more than until tomorrow evening, or after + the morrow morning at farthest. I beg she will not depart before I am + ready to go out. + + "I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, + + "R. SEMMES, _Captain_." + +Numerous facts serve to prove that Captain Semmes had made every +preparation to engage the Kearsarge, and that wide-spread publicity had +been given to his intention. As soon as the arrival of the Federal vessel +was known at Paris, an American gentleman of high position came down to +Cherbourg, with instructions for Captain Winslow; but so desirous were the +French authorities to preserve a really honest neutrality, that permission +was only granted to him to sail to her after his promise to return to +shore immediately on the delivery of his message. Once back in Cherbourg, +and about to return to Paris, he was advised to remain over night, _as the +Alabama intended to fight the Kearsarge next day_ (Sunday). On Sunday +morning, an excursion train arrived from the Capital, and the visitors +were received at the terminus of the railway by the boatmen of the port, +who offered them boats for the purpose of seeing _a genuine naval battle +which was to take place during the day_. Turning such a memorable +occurrence to practical uses, Monsieur Rondin, a celebrated photographic +artist on the _Place d'Armes_ at Cherbourg, prepared the necessary +chemicals, plates, and _camera_, and placed himself on the summit of the +old church tower which the whilome denizens of Cherbourg had very properly +built in happy juxtaposition with his establishment. I was only able to +see the negative, but that was quite sufficient to show that the artist +had obtained a very fine view indeed of the exciting contest. Five days, +however, had elapsed since Captain Semmes sent his challenge to Captain +Winslow through the Confederate agent, Monsieur Bonfils; surely time +sufficient for him to make all the preparations which he considered +necessary. Meanwhile the Kearsarge was cruising to and fro at sea, outside +the breakwater. + +The Kearsarge reached Cherbourg on the 14th, and her Captain only heard of +Captain Semmes' intention to fight him on the following day. Five days, +however, elapsed before the Alabama put in an appearance, and her exit +from the harbour was heralded by the English yacht Deerhound. The officer +on watch aboard the Kearsarge made out a three-masted vessel steaming from +the harbour, the movements of which were somewhat mysterious; after +remaining a short time only, this steamer, which subsequently proved to be +the Deerhound, went back into port; only returning to sea a few minutes in +advance of the Alabama, and the French iron-clad La Couronne. Mr. +Lancaster, her owner, sends a copy of his log to the _Times_, the first +two entries being as follows: + +"Sunday, June 19, 9 A. M.--Got up steam and proceeded out of Cherbourg +harbour. + +"10.30.--Observed the 'Alabama' steaming out of the harbour towards the +Federal steamer 'Kearsarge.'"[9] + +Mr. Lancaster does not inform us why an English gentleman should choose a +Sunday morning, of all days in the week, to cruise about at an early hour +with ladies on board, nor does he supply the public with information as to +the movements of the Deerhound during the hour and a half which elapsed +between his exit from the harbour and the appearance of the Alabama. The +preceding paragraph, however, supplies the omission. + + +THE ENGAGEMENT. + +At length the Alabama made her appearance in company with the Couronne, +the latter vessel conveying her outside the limit of French waters. Here +let me pay a tribute to the careful neutrality of the French authorities. +No sooner was the limit of jurisdiction reached, than the Couronne put +down her helm, and without any delay, steamed back into port, not even +lingering outside the breakwater to witness the fight. Curiosity, if not +worse, anchored the English vessel in handy vicinity to the combatants. +Her presence proved to be of much utility, for she picked up no less than +fourteen of the Alabama's officers, and among them the redoubtable Semmes +himself. + +So soon as the Alabama was made out, the Kearsarge immediately headed +seaward and steamed off the coast, the object being to get a sufficient +distance from the land so as to obviate any possible infringement of +French jurisdiction; and, secondly, that in case of the battle going +against the Alabama, the latter could not retreat into port. When this was +accomplished, the Kearsarge was turned shortly round and steered +immediately for the Alabama, Captain Winslow desiring to get within close +range, as his guns were shotted with five-seconds shell. The interval +between the two vessels being reduced to a mile, or thereabouts, the +Alabama sheered and discharged a broadside, nearly a raking fire, at the +Kearsarge. More speed was given to the latter to shorten the distance, and +a slight sheer to prevent raking. The Alabama fired a second broadside and +part of a third while her antagonist was closing; and at the expiration of +ten or twelve minutes from the Alabama's opening shot, the Kearsarge +discharged her first broadside. The action henceforward continued in a +circle, the distance between the two vessels being about seven hundred +yards; this, at all events, is the opinion of the Federal commander and +his officers, for their guns were sighted at that range, and their shell +burst in and over the privateer. The speed of the two vessels during the +engagement did not exceed eight knots the hour. + +At the expiration of one hour and two minutes from the first gun, the +Alabama hauled down her colours and fired a lee gun (according to the +statements of her officers), in token of surrender. Captain Winslow could +not, however, believe that the enemy had struck, as his own vessel had +received so little damage, and he could not regard his antagonist as much +more injured than himself; and it was only when a boat came off from the +Alabama that her true condition was known. The 11-inch shell from the +Kearsarge, thrown with fifteen pounds of powder at seven hundred yards +range, had gone clean through the starboard side of the privateer, +bursting in the port side and tearing great gaps in her timber and +planking. This was plainly obvious when the Alabama settled by the stern +and raised the forepart of her hull high out of water. + +The Kearsarge was struck twenty-seven times during the conflict, and fired +in all one hundred and seventy three (173) shots. These were as follows: + +SHOTS FIRED BY THE KEARSARGE. + + Two 11-inch guns 55 shots. + Rifle in forecastle 48 " + Broadside 32-pdrs 60 " + 12-pdr. boat howitzer 10 " + --------- + Total, 173 shots. + +The last-named gun performed no part whatever in sinking the Alabama, and +was only used in the action to create laughter among the sailors. Two old +quarter-masters, the two Dromios of the Kearsarge, were put in charge of +this gun, with instructions to fire when they received the order. But the +two old salts, little relishing the idea of having nothing to do while +their messmates were so actively engaged, commenced peppering away with +their pea-shooter of a piece, alternating their discharges with +vituperation of each other. This low-comedy by-play amused the ship's +company, and the officers good-humoredly allowed the farce to continue +until the single box of ammunition was exhausted. + + +DAMAGE TO THE KEARSARGE. + +The Kearsarge was struck as follows: + + One shot through starboard quarter, taking a slanting direction aft, + and lodging in the rudder post. This shot was from the Blakely rifle. + + One shot, carrying away starboard life-buoy. + + Three 32-pounder shots through port bulwarks, forward of mizzen-mast. + + A shell, exploding after end of pivot port. + + A shell, exploding after end of chain-plating. + + A 68-lb. shell, passing through starboard bulwarks below main rigging, + wounding three men--the only casualties amongst the crew during the + engagement. + + A Blakely-rifle shell, passing through the engine-room sky-light, and + dropping harmlessly in the water beyond the vessel. + + Two shots below plank-sheer, abreast of boiler hatch. + + One forward pivot port plank sheer. + + One forward foremast-rigging. + + A shot striking Launch's toping-lift. + + A rifle-shell, passing through funnel, bursting without damage inside. + + One, starboard forward main-shroud. + + One, starboard after-shroud main-topmast rigging. + + One, main topsail tye. + + One, main topsail outhaul. + + One, main topsail runner. + + Two, through port-quarter boat. + + One, through spanker (furled). + + One, starboard forward shroud, mizzen rigging. + + One, starboard mizzen-topmast backstay. + + One, through mizzen peak-signal halyards, which cut the stops when the + battle was nearly over, and for the first time let loose the flag to + the breeze. + +This list of damages received by the Kearsarge proves the exceedingly bad +fire of the Alabama, notwithstanding the numbers of men on board the +latter belonging to our "Naval Reserve," and the trained hands from the +gunnery ship "Excellent." I was informed by some of the paroled prisoners +on shore at Cherbourg that Captain Semmes fired rapidly at the +commencement of the action "in order to frighten the Yankees," nearly all +the officers and crew being, as he was well aware, merely volunteers from +the merchant service.[10] At the expiration of twenty minutes after the +Kearsarge discharged the first broadside, continuing the battle in a +leisurely, cool manner, Semmes remarked: "Confound them; they've been +fighting twenty minutes, and they're as cool as posts." The probabilities +are that the crew of the Federal vessel had learnt not to regard as +dangerous the rapid and hap-hazard practice of the Alabama. + +From the time of her first reaching Cherbourg until she finally quitted +the port, the Kearsarge never received the slightest assistance from +shore, with the exception of that rendered by a boiler maker in patching +up her funnel. Every other repair was completed by her own hands, and she +might have crossed the Atlantic immediately after the action without +difficulty. So much for Mr. Lancaster's statement that "the Kearsarge was +apparently much disabled." + + +SEMMES' DESIGN TO BOARD THE KEARSARGE. + +The first accounts received of the action led us to suppose that Captain +Semmes' intention was to lay his vessel alongside the enemy, and to carry +her by boarding. Whether this information came from the Captain himself or +was made out of "whole cloth" by some of his admirers, the idea of +boarding a vessel under steam--unless her engines, or screw, or rudder be +disabled--is manifestly ridiculous. The days of boarding are gone by, +except under the contingencies above stated; and any such attempt on the +part of the Alabama would have been attended with disastrous results to +herself and crew. To have boarded the Kearsarge, Semmes must have +possessed greater speed to enable him to run alongside her; and the moment +the pursuer came near her victim, the latter would shut off steam, drop +astern in a second of time, sheer off, discharge her whole broadside of +grape and canister, and rake her antagonist from stern to stem. Our +pro-southern sympathizers really ought not to make their _protege_ appear +ridiculous by ascribing to him such an egregious intention. + + +NATIONALITY OF THE CREW OF THE KEARSARGE + +It has frequently been asserted that the major portion of the Northern +armies is composed of foreigners, and the same statement is made in +reference to the crews of the American Navy. The report got abroad in +Cherbourg that the victory of the Kearsarge was due to her having taken on +board a number of French gunners at Brest; and an admiral of the French +Navy asked me in perfectly good faith whether it were not the fact. It +will not, therefore, be out of place to give the names and nationalities +of the officers and crew on board the Kearsarge during her action with the +Alabama. + +OFFICERS OF THE U.S.S. KEARSARGE, JUNE 19, 1864. + + NAMES. RANK. NATIVE OF + John A. Winslow Captain North Carolina[11] + James S. Thornton Lieut. Commander New Hampshire + John M. Browne Surgeon " + J. Adams Smith Paymaster Maine + Wm. H. Cushman Chief Engineer Pennsylvania + James R. Wheeler Acting Master Massachusetts + Eben. M. Stoddard " " Connecticut + David H. Sumner " " Maine + Wm. H. Badlam 2d Asst. Engr. Massachusetts + Fred. L. Miller 3d " " " + Sidney L. Smith " " " " + Henry McConnell " " " Pennsylvania + Edward E. Preble Midshipman Maine + Daniel B. Sargent Paymaster's Clerk " + S. E. Hartwell Captain's Clerk Massachusetts + Franklin A. Graham Gunner Pennsylvania + James C. Walton Boatswain " + Wm. H. Yeaton Acting Master's Mate United States + Chas. H. Danforth " " " Massachusetts + Ezra Bartlett " " " New Hampshire + George A. Tittle Surgeon's Steward United States + Carsten B. De Witt Yeoman United States + + +CREW OF THE U.S.S. KEARSARGE, JUNE 19, 1864. + + NAMES. RATE. NATIVE OF + Jason N. Watrus Master-at-arms United States + Charles Jones Seaman " + Daniel Charter Landsman " + Edward Williams Officers' Steward " + George Williams Landsman " + Charles Butts Quartermaster " + Charles Redding Landsman " + James Wilson Coxswain " + William Gowen (died) Ordinary seaman " + James Saunders Quartermaster " + John W. Dempsey Quarter-gunner " + William D. Chapel Landsman " + Thomas Perry Boatswain's-mate " + John Barrow Ordinary seaman " + William Bond Boatswain's-mate " + James Haley Capt. of Fo'castle " + Robert Strahn Capt. Top " + Jas. O. Stone 1st class boy " + Jacob Barth Landsman " + Jno. H. McCarthey " " + Jas. F. Hayes " " + John Hayes Coxswain " + James Devine Landsman " + George H. Russell Armourer " + Patrick McKeever Landsman " + Nathan Ives " " + Dennis McCarty " " + John Boyle Ordinary seaman " + John C. Woodberry " " + George E. Read Seaman " + James Morey Ordinary seaman " + Benedict Drury Seaman " + William Giles " " + Timothy Hurley Ship's Cook " + Michael Conroy Ordinary seaman " + Levi W. Nye Seaman " + James H. Lee " " + John E. Brady Ordinary seaman " + Andrew J. Rowley Quarter-gunner " + James Bradley Seaman " + William Ellis Capt. Hold " + Henry Cook " After-guard " + Charles A. Read Seaman " + Wm. S. Morgan " " + Joshua E. Carey Sailmaker's mate " + James Magee Ordinary seaman " + Benjamin S. Davis Officers' Cook " + John F. Bickford Coxswain " + William Gurney Seaman " + William Smith Quartermaster " + Lawrence T. Crowley Ordinary seaman " + Hugh McPherson Gunner's mate " + Taran Phillips Ordinary seaman " + Joachim Pease Seaman " + Benj. H. Blaisdell 1st Class Fireman " + Joel B. Blaisdell 1st Class Fireman " + Charles Fisher Officers' Cook " + James Henson Landsman " + Wm. M. Smith " " + William Fisher " " + George Bailey " " + Martin Hoyt " " + Mark G. Ham Carpenter's-mate " + William H. Bastine Landsman " + Leyman P. Spinney Coal-Heaver " + George E. Smart 2d Class Fireman " + Charle A. Poole Coal-Heaver " + Timothy Lynch " " + Will. H. Donnally 1st Class Fireman " + Sylvanus P. Brackett Coal-Heaver " + John W. Sanborn " " + Adoniram Littlefield " " + John W. Young " " + Will. Wainwright " " + Jno. E. Orchon 2d Class Fireman " + Geo. W. Remick 1st " " " + Joel L. Sanborn " " " " + Jere Young " " " " + William Smith " " " " + Stephen Smith 2d " " " + John F. Stackpole " " " " + William Stanley " " " " + Lyman H. Hartford " " " " + True W. Priest 1st " " " + Joseph Dugan " " " " + John F. Dugan Coal-Heaver " + Jas. W. Sheffield 2d Class Fireman " + Chas. T. Young Orderly Sergeant " + Austin Quimley Corporal of Marines " + Roscoe G. Dolley Private " " " + Patrick Flood " " " " + Henry Hobson Corporal " " " + James Kerrigan Private " " " + John McAleen Private of Marines " + George A. Raymond " " " " + James Tucker " " " " + Isaac Thornton " " " " + Wm. Y. Evans Nurse " + Wm. B. Poole Quartermaster " + F. J. Veannoh Capt. Afterguard " + Charles Hill Landsman " + Henry Jameson 1st Class Fireman " + John G. Batchelder Private of Marines " + Jno. Dwyer 1st Class Fireman " + Thomas Salmon 2d " " " + Patrick O. Conner " " " " + Geo. H. Harrison Ordinary seaman " + Geo. Andrew " " " + Charles Moore Seaman " + Geo. A. Whipple Ordinary seaman " + Edward Wallace Seaman " + Thomas Marsh Coal-Heaver " + Thomas Buckley Ordinary seaman " + Edward Wilt Capt. Top " + George H. Kinne Ordinary seaman " + Augustus Johnson Seaman " + Jeremiah Horrigan " " + Wm. O'Halloran " " + Wm. Turner " " + Joshua Collins Ordinary seaman " + James McBeath " " " + John Pope Coal-Heaver " + Charles Mattison Ordinary seaman " + George Baker Seaman " + Timothy G. Cauty " " + John Shields " " + Thomas Alloway " " + Phillip Weeks " " + William Barnes Landsman " + Wm. Alsdorf " Holland + Clement Antoine Coal-Heaver Western Islands + Jose Dabney Landsman Western Islands + Benj. Button Coal-Heaver Malay " + Jean Briset " France + Vanburn Francois Landsman Holland + Peter Ludy Seaman " + George English " England + Jonathan Brien Landsman " + Manuel J. Gallardo 2d Class Boy Spain + John M. Sonius 1st " " Holland + +It thus appears that out of one hundred and sixty-three (163) officers and +crew of the sloop-of-war Kearsarge, there are only eleven (11) persons +foreign born. + +The following is the Surgeon's report of casualties amongst the crew of +the Kearsarge during the action: + + "U. S. S. S. KEARSARGE, + "CHERBOURG, FRANCE, + "_Afternoon, June 19, 1864_. + + "Sir--I report the following casualties resulting from the engagement + this morning with the steamer 'Alabama.' + + JOHN W. DEMPSEY, Quarter-gunner. Compound comminuted fracture of right + arm, lower third, and fore-arm. Arm amputated. + + WILLIAM GOWEN, Ordinary seaman. Compound fracture of left thigh and + leg. Seriously wounded. + + JAMES MCBEATH, Ordinary seaman. Compound fracture of left leg. + Severely wounded. + + I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, + + JOHN M. BROWNE, + Surgeon U. S. Navy. + + "Captain JOHN A. WINSLOW, + "Comd'g U. S. S. S. Kearsarge, Cherbourg." + +All these men were wounded by the same shot, a 68-pounder, which passed +through the starboard bulwarks below main-rigging, narrowly escaping the +after 11-inch pivot-gun. The fuses employed by the Alabama were +villainously bad, several shells having lodged in the Kearsarge without +taking effect. Had the 7-inch rifle shot exploded which entered the vessel +at the starboard quarter, raising the deck by its concussion several +inches and lodging in the rudder-post, the action might have lasted some +time longer. It would not, however, have altered the result, for the +casualty occurred towards the close of the conflict. During my visit, I +witnessed the operation of cutting out a 32-pounder shell (time fuse) from +the rail close forward of the fore pivot 11-inch port; the officer in +charge of the piece informed me that the concussion actually raised the +gun and carriage, and, had it exploded, many of the crew would have been +injured by the fragments and splinters. + +Among the incidents of the fight, some of our papers relate that a 11-inch +shell from the Kearsarge fell upon the deck of the Alabama, and was +immediately taken up and thrown overboard. Probably no fight ever occurred +in modern times in which somebody didn't pick up a live shell and throw it +out of harm's way; but we may be permitted to doubt in this case--5-second +fuses take effect somewhat rapidly; the shot weighs considerably more than +a hundred-weight, and is uncomfortably difficult to lay hold of. Worse +than all for the probabilities of the story, fifteen pounds of +powder--never more nor less--were used to every shot fired from the +11-inch pivots, the Kearsarge only opening fire from them when within +eight hundred yards of the Alabama. With 15 pounds of powder and fifteen +degrees of elevation, I have myself seen these 11-inch Dahlgrens throw +three and a half miles; and yet we are asked to credit that, with the same +charge at less than half a mile, one of the shells _fell_ upon the deck of +the privateer. There are eleven marines in the crew of the Kearsarge: +probably the story was made for them. + + +THE REPORTED FIRING UPON THE ALABAMA AFTER HER SURRENDER. + +Captain Semmes makes the following statement in his official report: + +"Although we were now but 400 yards from each other, the enemy fired upon +me five times after my colours had been struck. It is charitable to +suppose that a ship of war of a Christian nation could not have done this +intentionally." + +A very nice appeal after the massacre of Fort Pillow, especially when +coming from a man who has spent the previous two years of his life in +destroying unresisting merchantmen. + +The Captain of the Kearsarge was never aware of the Alabama having struck +until a boat put off from her to his own vessel. Prisoners subsequently +stated that she had fired a lee-gun, but the fact was not known on board +the Federal ship, nor that the colours were hauled down in token of +surrender. A single fact will prove the humanity with which Captain +Winslow conducted the fight. At the close of the action, his deck was +found to be literally covered with grape and canister, ready for close +quarters; but he had never used a single charge of all this during the +contest, although within capital range for employing it. + + +THE FEELING AFTER THE BATTLE. + +The wounded of the two vessels were transferred shortly after the action +to the Naval Hospital at Cherbourg. I paid a visit to that establishment +on the Sunday following the engagement, and found the sufferers lying in +comfortable beds alongside each other in a long and admirably ventilated +ward on the first floor. Poor Gowen, who died the following Tuesday, was +in great pain, and already had the seal of death upon his face. James +McBeath, a young fellow of apparently twenty years, with a compound +fracture of the leg, chatted with much animation; while Dempsey, the stump +of his right arm laid on the pillow, was comfortably smoking a cigar, and +laughing and talking with one of the Alabama crew, in the bed alongside +him. The wounded men of the sunken privateer were unmistakably English in +physiognomy, and I failed to discover any who were not countrymen of ours. +I conversed with all of them, stating at the outset that I was an +Englishman like themselves, and the information seemed to open their +hearts to me. They represented themselves as very comfortable at the +hospital, that every thing they asked for was given to them, and that +they were surprised at the kindness of the Kearsarge men who came to visit +the establishment, when they were assured by their own officers before the +action that foul treatment would only be shown them in the event of their +capture. Condoling with one poor fellow who had his leg carried away by a +shell, he remarked to me, "Ah, it serves me right! they won't catch me +fighting again without knowing what I'm fighting for." "That's me too," +said another poor Englishman alongside of him. + +The paroled prisoners (four officers) on shore at Cherbourg, evinced no +hostility whatever to their captors, but were always on the friendliest of +terms with them. All alike frequented the same hotel in the town +(curiously enough--"The Eagle,") played billiards at the same _cafe_, and +bought their pipes, cigars, and tobacco from the same pretty little +_brunette_ on the _Quai du Port_. + +The following are the names of the officers and crew of the Alabama, saved +by the Kearsarge: + + Francis L. Galt, of Virginia, Assistant Surgeon. + Joseph Wilson, Third Lieutenant. + Miles J. Freeman, Engineer, _Englishman_. + John W. Pundt, Third Assistant Engineer. + Benjamin L. McCaskey, Boatswain. + William Forrestall, Quartermaster, _Englishman_. + Thomas Potter, Fireman, " + Samuel Williams, " _Welshman_. + Patrick Bradley, " _Englishman_. + John Orrigin, Fireman, _Irishman_. + George Freemantle, Seaman, _Englishman_. + Edgar Tripp, " " + John Neil, " " + Thomas Winter, Fireman, " + Martin King, Seaman. + Joseph Pearson, " " + James Hicks, Capt. Hold, " + R. Parkinson, Wardroom Steward, " + John Emory, Seaman, " + Thomas L. Parker, boy, " + Peter Hughes, Capt. Top, " + +(All the above belonged to the Alabama when she first sailed from the +Mersey, and John Neil, John Emory, and Peter Hughes belong to the "Royal +Naval Reserve.") + +Seamen.--William Clark, David Leggett, Samuel Henry, John Russell, John +Smith, Henry McCoy, Edward Bussell, James Ochure, John Casen, Henry +Higgin, Frank Hammond, Michael Shields, David Thurston, George Peasey, +Henry Yates. + +Ordinary Seamen.--Henry Godsen, David Williams, Henry Hestlake, Thomas +Watson, John Johnson, Match Maddock, Richard Evans, William Miller, George +Cousey, Thomas Brandon. + +Coxswains.--William McKenzie, James Broderick, William Wilson. + + Edward Rawes, Master-at-Arms. + Henry Tucker, Officers' Cook. + William Barnes, Quarter-gunner. + Jacob Verbor, Seaman, } + Robert Wright, Capt. M. Top, } _Wounded_. + Wm. McGuire, Capt. F. Top, } + Wm. McGinley, Coxswain, } + John Benson, Coal-Heaver. + James McGuire, " + Frank Currian, Fireman. + Peter Laperty, " + John Riley, " + Nicholas Adams, Landsman. + James Clemens, Yeoman. + James Wilson, Boy. + +These men, almost without exception, are subjects of Her Majesty the +Queen. There were also three others, who died in the boats, names not +known. + +The following are those reported to have been killed or drowned: + + David Herbert Llewellyn, Surgeon, _Welshman_. + William Robinson, Carpenter. + James King, Master-at-Arms, _Savannah Pilot_. + Peter Duncan, Fireman, _Englishman_. + Andrew Shillings, _Scotchman_. + Charles Puist, Coal-passer, _German_. + Frederick Johns, Purser's Steward, _Englishman_. + Samuel Henry, Seaman, " + John Roberts, " _Welshman_. + Peter Henry, " _Irishman_. + George Appleby, Yeoman, _Englishman_. + A. G. Bartelli, Seaman, _Portuguese_. + Henry Fisher, " _Englishman_. + +The above all belonged to the original crew of the Alabama. + +The Deerhound carried off, according to her own account, forty-one; the +names of the following are known: + + Raphael Semmes, Captain. + John M. Kell, First Lieutenant. + Arthur Sinclair, Jun., Second Lieutenant. + R. K. Howell, Lieutenant of Marines. + (This person is brother-in-law of Mr. Jefferson Davis.) + W. H. Sinclair, Midshipman. + J. S. Bullock, Acting Master. + E. A. Maffit, Midshipman. + E. M. Anderson, " + M. O'Brien, Third Assistant Surgeon. + George T. Fullam, Master's Mate, _Englishman_. + James Evans, " + Max Meulnier, " + J. Schrader, " + W. B. Smith, Captain's Clerk. + J. O. Cuddy, Gunner. + J. G. Dent, Quartermaster. + James McFadgen, Fireman, _Englishman_. + Orran Duffy, Fireman, _Irishman_. + W. Crawford, _Englishman_. + Brent Johnson, Second Boat Mate, " + William Nevins, " + William Hearn, Seaman, " + +The last four belong to the "Royal Naval Reserve." + + +MOVEMENTS OF THE ENGLISH YACHT DEERHOUND. + +That an English yacht, one belonging to the Royal Yacht Squadron, and +flying the White Ensign, too, during the conflict, should have assisted +the Confederate prisoners to escape after they had formally surrendered +themselves, according to their own statement, by firing a lee-gun, +striking their colours, hoisting a white flag, and sending a boat to the +Kearsarge--some of which signals must have been witnessed from the deck of +the Deerhound, is most humiliating to the national honour. The movements +of the yacht early on Sunday morning were as before shown, most +suspicious; and had Captain Winslow followed the advice and reiterated +requests of his officers when she steamed off, the Deerhound might now +have been lying not far distant from the Alabama. Captain Winslow however, +could not believe that a gentleman who was asked by himself "to save life" +would use the opportunity to decamp with the officers and men who, +according to their own act, were prisoners-of-war. There is high +presumptive evidence that the Deerhound was at Cherbourg for the express +purpose of rendering every assistance possible to the corsair; and we may +be permitted to doubt whether Mr. Lancaster, the friend of Mr. Laird, and +a member of the Mersey Yacht Club, would have carried Captain Winslow and +his officers to Southampton if the result of the struggle had been +reversed, and the Alabama had sent the Kearsarge to the bottom. + +The Deerhound reached Cherbourg on the 17th of June, and between that time +and the night of the 18th, boats were observed from the shore passing +frequently between her and the Alabama. It is reported that English +gunners come over from England purposely to assist the privateer in the +fight; this I heard before leaving London, and the assertion was repeated +to me again at Havre, Honfleur, Cherbourg, and Paris. If this be the fact, +how did the men reach Cherbourg? On the 14th of June, Captain Semmes sends +his challenge to the Kearsarge through Monsieur Bonfils, stating it to be +his intention to fight her "as soon as I can make the necessary +arrangements." Two full days elapse, during which he takes on board 150 +tons additional of coal, and places for security in the Custom House the +following valuables: + + 38 kilo. 700 gr. of Gold coin, + 6 gr. of Jewelery and set Diamonds, + 2 Gold Watches. + +What then became of the pillage of a hundred merchantmen, the +chronometers, etc., which the _Times_ describes as the "_spolia opima_ of +a whole mercantile fleet?" Those could not be landed on French soil, and +were not: did they go to the bottom with the ship herself, or are they +saved? + +Captain Semmes' preparations are apparently completed on the 16th, but +still he lingers behind the famous breakwater, much to the surprise of his +men. The Deerhound arrives at length, and the preparations are rapidly +completed. How unfortunate that Mr. Lancaster did not favour the _Times_ +with a copy of his log-book from the 12th to the 19th of June inclusive! + +The record of the Deerhound is suggestive on the morning of that memorable +Sunday. She steams out from behind the Cherbourg breakwater at an early +hour,--scouts hither and thither, apparently purposeless--runs back to her +anchorage--precedes the Alabama to sea--is the solitary and close +spectator of the fight whilst the Couronne has the delicacy to return to +port, and finally--having picked up Semmes, thirteen of his officers and a +few of his men--steams off at fullest speed to Southampton, leaving the +"_apparently much-disabled_" _Kearsarge_ (Mr. Lancaster's own words) to +save two-thirds of the Alabama's drowning crew struggling in the water. + +An English gentleman's yacht playing tender to a corsair! No one will ever +believe that Deerhound to be thorough-bred. + + +CONCLUSION. + +Such are the facts relating to the memorable action off Cherbourg on the +19th of June, 1864. The Alabama went down riddled through and through with +shot; and, as she sank beneath the green waves of the Channel, not a +single cheer arose from the victors. The order was given, "Silence, boys," +and in perfect silence this terror of American commerce plunged to her +last resting place. + +There is but one key to the victory. The two vessels were, as nearly as +possible, equals in size, speed, armament and crew, and the contest was +decided by the superiority of the 11-inch Dahlgren guns of the Kearsarge, +over the Blakely rifle and the vaunted 68-pounder of the Alabama, in +conjunction with the greater coolness and surer aim of the former's crew. +The Kearsarge was not, as represented, specially armed and manned for +destroying her foe; but is in every respect similar to all the vessels of +her class (third-rate) in the United States Navy. Moreover, the large +majority of her officers are from the merchant service. + +The French at Cherbourg were by no means dilatory in recognizing the value +of these Dahlgren guns. Officers of all grades, naval and military alike, +crowded the vessel during her stay at their port; and they were all eyes +for the massive pivots and for nothing else. Guns, carriages, even rammers +and sponges, were carefully measured; and, if the pieces can be made in +France, many months will not elapse before their muzzles will be grinning +through the port-holes of French ships-of-war. + +We have no such gun in Europe as this 11-inch Dahlgren, but it is +considered behind the age in America. The 68-pounder is regarded by us as +a heavy piece; in the United States it is the minimum for large vessels; +whilst some ships, the "New Ironsides," "Niagara," "Vanderbilt," etc., +carry the 11-inch _in broadside_. It is considered far too light, however, +for the sea-going ironclads, although throwing a solid shot of 160 pounds; +yet it has made a wonderful stir on both sides of the Channel. What, +then, will be thought of the 15-inch gun, throwing a shot of 480 pounds, +or of the 200-pound Parrot, with its range of five miles? + +We are arming our ironclads with 9-inch smooth-bores and 100-pounder +rifles, whilst the Americans are constructing their armour-ships to resist +the impact of 11 and 15-inch shot. By next June, the United States will +have in commission the following ironclads: + + Dunderberg, 5,090 tons, 10 guns. + Dictator, 3,033 " 2 " + Kalamazoo, 3,200 " 4 " + Passaconaway, 3,200 " 4 " + Puritan, 3,265 " 4 " + Quinsigamond, 3,200 " 4 " + Roanoke, 3,435 " 6 " + Shakamaxon, 3,200 " 4 " + +These, too, without counting six others of "second class," all alike armed +with the tremendous 15-inch, and built to cross the Atlantic in any +season. But it is not in ironclads alone that America is proving her +energy; first, second and third-rates, wooden built, are issuing +constantly from trans-Atlantic yards, and the Navy of the United States +now numbers no less than six hundred vessels and upwards, seventy-three of +which are ironclads. + +This is, indeed, an immense fleet for one nation, but we may, at all +events, rejoice that it will be used to defend--in the words of the wisest +and noblest of English statesmen--"the democratic principle, or, if that +term is offensive, popular sovereignty." + + + + +APPENDIX. + + +LETTER OF CAPTAIN JOHN A. WINSLOW. + +"U. S. S. S. 'KEARSARGE,' OFF DOVER, + +_July 13, 1864_. + +"MY DEAR SIR--I have read the proof-sheet of your pamphlet, entitled 'The +Alabama and the Kearsarge. An Account of the Naval Engagement in the +British Channel on Sunday, June 19, 1864.' I can fully endorse the +pamphlet as giving a fair, unvarnished statement of all the facts both +prior and subsequent to the engagement. + +"With my best wishes, I remain, with feelings of obligation, very truly +yours, + +"JOHN A. WINSLOW. + +"FRED'K M. EDGE, ESQ., + +"LONDON." + + + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[1] The Kearsarge has a four-bladed screw, diameter 12-ft 9-in. with a +pitch of 20-ft. + +[2] _The Career of the Alabama, "No. 290," from July 26, 1862, to June 19, +1864._ London: Dorrell and Son. + +[3] Captain Winslow, in his first hurried report of the engagement, put +the space covered at 20 or 25 feet, believing this to be rather over than +under the mark. The above, however, is the exact measurement. + +[4] There was nothing whatever between the chain and the ship's sides. + +[5] Including three dead. + +[6] See page 41. + +[7] The Kearsarge started on her present cruise the 4th of February, 1862; +the Alabama left the Mersey at the end of July following. + +[8] This information was incorrect. No such statement was ever made by the +Consul of the United States at Cherbourg. + + F. M. E. + +[9] The following is the copy of the log of the Kearsarge on the day in +question: + + "June 19, 1864. "From 8 to Merid. + +"Moderate breeze from the Wd. weather b. c. At 10 o'clock, inspected crew +at quarters. At 10.20, discovered the Alabama steaming out from the port +of Cherbourg, accompanied by a French iron-clad steamer, and a +fore-and-aft rigged steamer showing the white English ensign and a yacht +flag. Beat to General Quarters, and cleared the ship for action. Steamed +ahead standing off shore. At 10.50, being distant from the land about two +leagues, altered our course and approached the Alabama. At 10.57, the +Alabama commenced the action with her starboard broadside at 1,000 yards +range. At 11, we returned her fire, and came fairly into action, which we +continued until Merid., when observing signs of distress in the enemy, +together with a cessation of her fire, our fire was withheld. At 12.10, a +boat with an officer from the Alabama came alongside and surrendered his +vessel, with the information that she was rapidly sinking, and a request +for assistance. Sent the Launch and 2d Cutter, the other boats being +disabled by the fire of the enemy. The English yacht before mentioned, +coming within hail, was requested by the Captain (W.) to render assistance +in saving the lives of the officers and crew of the surrendered vessel. At +2.24, the Alabama went down in forty fathoms of water, leaving most of the +crew struggling in the water. Seventy persons were rescued by the boats, +two pilot boats and the yacht also assisted. One pilot boat came alongside +us, but the other returned to the port. The yacht steamed rapidly away to +the Nd. without reporting the number of our prisoners she had picked up. + + "(Signed) JAMES S. WHEELER, Actg. Master." + +[10] According to the statement of prisoners captured, the Alabama fired +no less than three hundred and seventy times (shot and shell); more than +twice the number of the Kearsarge. + +[11] Captain Winslow has long been a citizen of the State of +Massachusetts. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of An Englishman's View of the Battle +between the Alabama and the Kearsarge, by Frederick Milnes Edge + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AN ENGLISHMAN'S VIEW *** + +***** This file should be named 36988.txt or 36988.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/6/9/8/36988/ + +Produced by The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images +generously made available by The Internet Archive/American +Libraries.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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