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diff --git a/36988.txt b/36988.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f1d29ca --- /dev/null +++ b/36988.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: 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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