The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1864-07-15
Special Correspondence Of the Traveller
THE KEARSARGE AND AL
ALBANIA COMBAT.
On Board THE kEARsARGE,
Cherbourg. June 9th.


ranged up nearer, and then opened
our starboard battery, fighting six guns,
leaving only one 32-pounder idle.
The Alabama fought seven guns, work
ing them with the greatest rapidity,
sending shot and shell in a constant
stream over our heads. Both vessels
used their starboard batteries, the
ships being manRuvered in circle
about each other at distance of from
five hundred TO one thousand yards
Witnesses on shore say that we made
seven complete circles during the ac-
ton, which lasted little over one hour
Our shot, particularly the 1l-inch
shells, made fearful havoc among the
enemy. The first one killed three
men and wounded nearly the whole
guns crew where it exploded Final
ly we placed shot in the rudder part
Of the Alabama, disabling to some ex-
tent her steering apparatus. Almost
at the same time another of our shots
entered her coal bunker, abreast of
her engine, forcing her bunker in
board, and showering her machinery
with coal, which prevented her from
making progress for a short time,
when she set her sails to the breeze
and tried to run in toward the French
shore.
We were on the watch, and by a
rapid movement headed her off, and
got into fighting position on her port
or weak side-a very successful, deci-
sive mannuvre. On that side she had
but one gun, and we gave our broad
side into her with the greatest preci-
sion, doing fearful damage to her hull.
We shot away her flag, but in few
minutes it was run up again at her
mizzen truck. A short time longer we
kept up our cannonade, when she
hauled down her flag and we ceased fir
/ ing.
In few minutes she gave us, very
unexpectedly, a couple of shots more
and again we opened our batteries up
on her. This, however, continued buta
short time, for she soon showed a
white flag in token Of surrender, and
sent boat on board of us to ask as
sistance III saving the wounded, as she
was in n sinking condition. We i'm
mediately launched two boats (thC
other two having been riddled by shot
and sent for the wounded; but before
the boat got alongside, the once for
midable Alabama settled by the stern
thrust her bow far out Of the water
and then disappeared beneath the
waves, carrying down no one viii even
know how many Of the poor victims
Previously to this, after the firing
had ceased and it was evident that the
Alabama was sinking, an English
steam-yacht, which had been observing
the fight at distance, came up along
side ofus, and asked permission to assist
III picking NJ, the wounded of course
it was granted, us an act of humanity
but BY so doing we were robbed OF
half the fruits of our hard-eaineo
contest-for the yacht moved up ahead
of rs, lowered her boat, picked W
I Semmes and several of his officer.
and crew, and stood away with al
haste for the English coast Then We
saw through the ruse that Semme'
had no doubt planned beforehand fol
his escape in case of defeat; but W,
could not follow and leave the poo
unfortunates still in the water, so W,
remained by them until all were picked
up. Thereafter we steamed into this
port, and came to anchor.
We picked up in our boats 65 Of hel
crew and fremen, and five officers liy
ing and one dead. Of the men Il
were seriously wounded, two dying OF
board of us. We had only three mel
, severely wounded AS soon as W,
came into Cherbourg the wounded
men were all sent to the hospital a
our accommodations on board wer,
not so convenient for their prope
treatment. We paroled all the othe
prisoners except the officers, for W,
were unable to keep so many on board
or send them to the States.
There was about 40 accounted for
{ leaving over 30 who inevitably wen
down with her when she sunk. TIL,
officers of the Alabama say that the,
, numbered about $50 all told, but thel
6 give no account of those who Joined
her after she arrived here at Cher
, bourg. The number of these will ney
/ er be known, but several OF the mos
/ experienced gunners of the Englisl
naval reserve went on board the nigh
= before the action on purpose to pom
the guns They were old, practicec
! seaInen, who had seen service in thu
English navy, and were supposed t,
be able to sink the Kearsarge or disa
bic her guns in half an hour. Sem
mes promised them that before nool
, they should be on board of us.
During the action we fired 173 shots
The Alabama certainly fred man,
more At the first Of the action sh
fred two shots TO our one. But sucl
rapidity firing was only accomphshe,
at the expense of accuracy. Our shot
were fired with astonishing precision
and wrought fearful havoc on the enc
my. We We're struck Ii times in GU
hull, and an equal number of times il
, our rigging.
: Two shots struck our chain armo
abreast of our boiler, but did not ente
. the ship. Another 100 pound riAe'
7 shell struck under the stern, and CLAN
4 cling down lodged in the rudder post
, where it still remains too firmly EN-
, bedded to be removed. Fortunatel