Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1864-07-16
The Kearsage and Alabama.


The kearsage and Alabama % 90
There are some points in the engage
ment between the Kearsage and the pirate
Alabama worthy OF attention. Tie fact
that the two vessels ore alike nearly new, of
about the same tonnage, carrying nearly
the same number Of guns, the one Ameri.
can built aud the other lfiom the most no.
table yard of Englsnd, armed and equip
ped with Englsh metal aud manned mostly
by Englishm en-, gives point to the en-
gagement which has an International bear.
lug, and is doubtless one reason why there
is so much effort on the part of the Eng
lish press to represent the contest as une
quail, and to treat the vanqaished pirate
commander with such distinguished consid-
eration.l .c.C915 lo.fraoa VI b'G-
The fact that the contest took place in
the English channel, almost within view of
the shores of Eugland and was witnessed
by his English admirers, must have been
humiliating 10 Semmes, while Capt Wins
low may Justly feel proud of the fact that
be was able thus summarly to dispatch his
antagonist in the house Of his friends,
while scarce friend was present TO rejoice
in his victory. 97o so1sps' "a' s43
The nature and result Of the conflict are
also worthy of mention. The cool and
self possessed behavior of the officers Of
The Kearsage, reserving their fire until
within easy range bile their antagonist
was blazing away at long range; the des-,
patch with hich they ended the contest
and the utter destruction of the enemy's
craft reminds one ofjthe naval engage
ments of the war of 1912 mDoubtless
there we're some present who were remn-
ded of the humiliation felt when the frigate
Constitution made a speedy wreck of the
Gurie-re. The contest. on our part smack
ed so much ofthe same spirit that it gives
earnest of the fact that the old race OF
Hulls is not extinct among US; bnt lives to
do deeds of valor on the "ocean bold'' in
these modern days. q l.Cam L575 lo gsr
The spiriting away of the pirate Semme'
by and English yacht, is the only disgrace
full part of the affair The Kearsag,
should have poured broadside into lh,
thieving craft at once. How England cal
refuse 10 make restitution and maintain be
national honor is problem not yet 'workef
ont. 1t may yet prove to England a mos
unfortunate interference. lmi - 10 0uIs
OF this matter the Chicago y1fa6ane
very truly says:98 oo7a s'.
British neutrality has illustrated its
quality again. The Alabama is British
steamer, built by the subscriptions of)"290'
British merchants, armed and equipped in
au English port, manned mainly by a Brit
! ish crew, supplied, harbored and refurnish-
ed constantly in British ports. She has
never once entered rebel port. nor COM
Piled with any Of 4thellaws of nations. rela'
tive to privateering, She never h.d either
register oor record, nor regular ships pa
Lper's, nor evidences or trausferuo Moves
sci captured by her has ever been sent into
any port for adjucation and condemnation
The forms Of law for the protection OF the
rights of neutrals have been disregarded
EShe sails under flag hieh has never beer
! trecognizad, pretending 'totbe lhe flag aof :
K country " sich The vessel has never visited
4 Her COMMISSIONERS 10 g ':sink, abuena ant
Destroy not after the manner Of aspriv a
teer but q pirate. She sailed from Brisisl
ports in admitted violation Of British nep
irality, a he papsrsz for herl arrest having
been issuediby RJiiish asntherides. zSAef
though she has visited British ports 'oon
slantly since, she bas not been arrested.
She has driven much OF American com
4 merce from the seas. by raising the rates
pfof insara6eel on American vessels aud tbei
Z freighis, completing Americau ship owner
largely tosell ont 5toc EVglish purchasers
and American mefehauts 10 shipt tAmesieaI
merchandise in British bottoms The Ala