Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-08-11


great gsps in her timber and paDkng This was plainly
obvious when the Alabama settled by the stern aud raised
the forepart of her hull high out of water.
The Kearsarge struck twenty seven times during
the conflict and fired in all hundred and seventy
(l73) shots These were as follows:
Shots Fired by The Ksarsargs
TIVE ll.inch guns --------..--------- 90 SHOES
Rlne 10 forecastle ----.----- .-----.----- 90
Broadslde - FOUNDERS 6O
l2-pounder boat howitzer.- -------------- IN
Total -.-----------------H3
The last-named gun performed no part whatever in
sinking the Alabama and only used in the action to
create laughter among the sailors Two old quartermas
tes the two Dromios of the Kearsage were put charge
OF this gum with instructions to fire when they received
the order But the two old salts little reshng the idea
of having nothing to do while their messmates
actively engaged commenced pepperng away with their
peashooter of piece alternating their discharges with
vituperaton of each other. This low comedy bye-pay
amused the ships company, and the officers goodhumor
eddy allowed the farce to continue until the single box OF
ammunition exhausted
Damage to lie Kearsarge.
The Kearsarge struck as follows:
One shot through starboard quarter taking slanting
direction aft and lodging the rudder post This shot
was from the Blakey rifle.
One shot, carrying away starboard fe-buoy.
Three 80 FOUNDER shots through port bulwarks forward
of mizzen-mast.
A SHE'LL exploding after end of pivot port
she'll, exploding after end of chain-plating.
65-pounder she'll passing through starboard bulwarks
ties amongst the during the engagement.
Blakely rifle shell, passing through the engine-room
skylght, and dropping harmlessy 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.
shot striking Launch's topping lift.
rifle she'll passing through funnel, bursting without
damage inside.
One starboard forward main shroud.
One starboard after shroud main topmast rigging.
One main topsail tye.
One -topsai outhaul.
[ One main .topsai runner.
Two through port quarter boat.
One through spanker, (urled)
One starbOard forward shroud, mizzen rigging.
One stsrboard mizzen topmast backstay.
One through peak signal halyards which cut the
stops when the battle nearly and for the first
time let loose to the breeze.
This list of damages received by the Kearsarge proves
the exceedingly bad fire of the Alabama, Notwithstanding
the number of board the latter belonging to
Naval Reserve" and the trained hands from the gun
merry ship Excellent was Informed by some of the pa
rolled prisoners shore at Cherboug that Capt Semmes
fired rapidly at the commencement of the action g in
order to rghten the Yankees nearly all the officers and
being he well aware merely volunteers from
the merchant service At the expiration of twenty
minutes after the Kearsargs discharged the first broad
side continuing the battle in eisurey, cool manner
Semmes remarked Conound them; they've been fight
ing twenty minutes and they're rs cool as posts" The
probabilities that the of tho Federal vessel had
learned not to regard dangerous the rapid and hap
hazard practice of the Alabama
finally quilted the port the Kearsarge received the
slightest assistance from shore with the exception of that
rendered by boiler maker 10 patching up her funnel
Every other repair completed by her own hands and
she might have crossed the Atlantic Immediately after
action without difficulty SO. much for Mr.. Lancasters
statement that the Kearsarge apparently much dis
abled."
| Senamey's Design to Board the Ksarsarge.
The FIRST accounts received of the action led us to sup
pose that Capt Semmes's intention lay his vessel
alongside the enemy, asd to carry her BY boarding.
Whether this information from the Captain himself
| or made out of "whole cloth" by of his sd
mrers the idea of boarding vessel under
her engines, or screw or rudder be disabed-is mani
festy rid cuous The days of boarding gone by
cep under the contingencies above stated and any such
attempt the part Of the Alabama would have been at
tended with disastrous results to herself and crew. To
have boarded the Kesrsarge Semmes must
greater speed enable him to alongside and the
moment the pursuer her victim, the latter
would shut of steam, drop asern in second of time
sheer OFF, discharge her whole bosdsde OF grape and
ster and rake her antagonist from stern to Our
pro Southern sympahzsrs really ought not to make heir
protsgt appear ridiculous by ascblng to him such
egregi0us intention.
Nationality ofthe Crew ofhs Ksarsargs.
1t has frequently been asserted that the major portion
Of the Northern armies is composed Of Foreigners and the
statement IL made IN reference to the Of the
American navy The report got abroad 10 Cherbourg that
the victory of the Kesage due her having taken
on board number Of French gunners at Bres and Ad
mirai pf the French navy asked me in perfectly good
faith whether il not the fact 1t will not therefore
be OF place 10 tne names ana nAtOnhes oil the
officers and board the Kearsarge during her
action with the Alabama
officers cfbe o. s. Steamer Kearsarge, June 10, 1854
NAME NATIVE
John A. Ninsow Captain. North Carolina
James s. Thornton. Lieut.. Commander New Hampshire.
John NJ Browne. Surgeon
J. Adams Smith IL. Pay master. -...-... Maine.
Vim. II. Cusbman Chief Engineer. Pennsylvania
James X Wheeler Acting Master. Ma sachusetts
Eben. NJ. stoddard. 1880. Connecticut.
David ii sumner. Maine.
Vim. II Badlam. ID Asst Engineer NJ massachusetts,
Fred l. Mil :er. ....3d
Sidney l. Smith, I'D F."
Henry Nee nnell. Sd .-Petnsylyanis.
h ward Prebg. .Midthi pman ..-.. Maine.
Daniel Is. Sargent. Pay masters Clerk.
=. K. HaTtxel Captains Clerk Massachusetts,.
Frank A. Graham. Gunner. ...... Pennsy vania.
James & Walton. .Boalswain. ---...-.
WIN. IA. yeston. -Actg Master Mate United States.
Chas II. Danorlh.. Massachusetts
Ezra Bartlett...-.. Reg Hampshire.
George TITLE. Surgeons Steward. United States
Carsiea Y. DE Witt. Yeoman.
Gran Of the u s. Steamer Kearsargs, June 10, 1864.
NAME
JasOp NJ Watrus. Master at-arms United States
Charles Jones. Seaman. '..
Daniel Charter. -. LaB dsman.
Edward Williams Officers Steward. =
George Williams ..Landsman.
Charles Butts. tuartsrmaster. !"
Charles Reddng Il indsnan. 80.
James Wilson .Goxwhin-. ...... Fl. y
VIM GoUeu al 0fdin