The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1864-07-15
THE DESTRUCTION OF THE
ALABAMA.
UNITED STATES STEAMER KEARsABGE, /
June 10, 1SG4-P. NJ. \
CAPT. wINsLow's OFFICIAL DISPATCHES.


that the day subsequent
to the arrival of the Kearsarge off this
port, on the 18th inst, | received a
note from Capt. Semmes, begging that
the Kearsarge would not depart as he
intended to fight her, and would not
delay her but day or two. Accord
ing to this notice the Alabama left the
port of Cherbourg this morning at
about $50 o'clock At about 1920 a.
m, we discovered her steering towards
us. Fearing the question of jurisdic-
ton might arise we steamed to sea
until distance of six or seven miles
was obtained from the Cherbourg
Breakwater, when we rounded to and
commenced steering for the Alabama.
As we approached her within about
1900 yards she opened fire, we recciy-
ing two or three broadsides before
shot was returned. The action con
tinued, the respective steamers making
a circle round and round at distance
of about 900 yards from each other.
At the expiration of an hour the Ala
bama struck, going down in about 20
minutes afterwards, and carrying many
persons with her.
1t affords me great qualification to
announce TO the Department that every
officer and man did their duty, exhibit
ing degree of GOODNESS and fortitude
which gave promise at the outset Of
certain victory.
| have the honor to be, most respect
fully, Your obedient servant,
JOHN A. WINSLOW, Captain.
Hon. GIDEON WELLEs, Sec'y Navy.
SECOND DISPATCH.
[. S. STEAMER KEARsARGE,
Cherbourg, France, June 90
Sir Inclose herewith the Surgeons
report Of the casualties on board this
vessel in the late action with the Ala
bama. Although we received some
twenty-five or thirty shots twelve or
thirteen taking effect in the hubby
the mercy of God we have been spared
the loss Of any Of our lives. whereas,
in the case of the Alabama, the car
mage, / learn, was dreadful.
The ships were about equal in match,
the tonnage being the same the Ala
bama carrying a l00-pound rifle, with
ono heavy Ge-p0under, and nix broad
side 32-pounders; the Kearsarge carry
ing four broadside - Founders, two II
inch, and one 2S-pouud ufe--one gun
less than the Alabama.
The only shot which l fear will give
rs any trouble is 100-pound rhe-ball,
which entered our sternpost, and re-
mains at present uuexploded
1t would seem almost invidious to
particularize the conduct Of any one
man or officer, when all had done their
duty with a fortitude and GOODNESS which
cannot be too highly praised, but | feel
it due to my executive officer, Lieut
Commander Thornton, who supcrin-
tended the working of the battery, to
particularly mention him for an exam
pie of GOODNESS and encouragement TO
the men while fighting, which contrib
uted much toward the success of the
action.
have the honor to be, very respect
fully, your obedient servant,
JOHN A. WINSLOW, Captain.
Hon. GIDEoN WELLEs Sec'y Navy.
REPORT OF THE SURGEON.
Surgeon Browne reports: John W.
Dempsey, quarter-gunner, has had an
arm amputated owing to a fracture,
and William Gwin and James McBeth,
ordinary seamen, severely wounded.
THE YACHT DEERHoUND.
The following letter appears in the
London Daily Netos;-
10 the Editor Of The Daily Nelcs:--
Sir: l desire to bring to the notice
of the Yacht Clubs of England the con
duct of the Commander of the Deer
hound, which followed the engagement
of the Alabama and Kearsarge. After
the Alabama had struck and her con
dition was unknown, her boats were
observed to be lowering, one of which
pulled directly to the Kearsarge, with
an officer and several wounded men.
The officer stated that the ship had
surrendered some time before the
kearsarge Stacked firing, and the re-
naming parts of the flag had been
hauled down, and at last & white flag
shown, and requesting that the boats
might be sent to rescue life, as the
Alabama was fast sinking.
Immediately the two boats remain
ing undisabled were called away, and
the.emergency was SO great that the
officer in command of the Alabama S
boat was permitted to shove off to as
sist in this humane duty. 1t was now
seen that the Alabama was settling fast.
The captain of the Kearsarge immedi-
ately hailed the Deerhound to wind
ward, and stated her condition, re-
questing he would run down and assist
to pick up the men. The Alabama
went down in two minutes afterwards.
The Deerhound lowered her boats, and
was active in picking up the struggling
crew, and 1t was seen that the officer
who had come on board the Kearsarge
at first to surrender had gone with
others to the Deerhound and had
showed of the boat, leaving large
number of the Alabamas wounded and
men struggling in the water. Short,
afterwards the Deerhound was seen
moving of, and reported it to Cap
tam Wlnslow, The answer received