The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1864-07-15
CAPTAIN sEMMEs' REPORT.

'tSr: have the honor to inform You
that, in accordance with my intention, as
previously announced to you, steamed
out of the harbor of Cherbourg between
nine aud ten o'clock on the morning of
the 18th Of June, for the purpose of Gu.
gazing the encmy's steamer Kearsage,
which had been lying off and on the port
for several days previously. After clear.
ing the barbor we deserted the enemy with
his head off shore, at distance of about
7 miles. We were three quarters of an
hour in coming up with him. l had pre-
viously pivoted my guns to starboard, and
made all my preparations for engaging the
enemy OH that side. When within about
mile and quarter of the enemy he
suddenly wheeled, and bringing his heao
in shore, presented his starboard battery to
me. BY this time we were distant about
one mile from each other, when | opened
on him with solid shot, to which ne re.
piled in few minutes, and the engage
ment became active on both sides.
"Tbe enemy now pressed under full
head of steam, and to prevent our passing
each other too speedily, and to keep our
respective broadsides bearing, it became
necessary to fight in circle, the two ships
stcaming around common centre, and
preserving range from each other of from
quarter to half mile. When We got
within good she'll range we opened up,
him with she'll. Some ten or fifteen min
utes after the commencement of the ac-
ton our spanker gaff was shot away, and
our ensign came down by the Iun. This
was Immediately replaced by another at
the mizzenmast head. The firing now
became very hot, and the enemy's shot
and shell soon began to tell upon our hull,
knocking down, killing and disabling a
number of men in different parts of the
ship.
"Perceiviug that our shell, though APP
parently exploding against the enemy's
sides, were doug him but little damage,
I returned to solid shot firing, and from
thas time onward alternated (?) with shot
and shell.
"After the lapse of about an hour and
ten minutes our ship was ascertained to be
in sinking condition, the enemy's shells
having exploded in our sides and between
decks, opening large apertures, through
which the water rushed with great apidi-
ty.
"For some few minutes had hopes of
being able to reach tn French coast, for
which purpose l gave the ship all steam,
and set such Of the fore and aft sails as
were available. The ship filled so rapid
ly, however, that before we had made
much progress the fires were extiuguished
in the furnaces, and we were evidently on
the point of sinking. 1 now hauled down
my colors, to prevent the further destrno.
ton of life, and despatched boat to in
form the enemy Of our condition.
"Although we were now but four hun
dred yards from each ether, the enemy
fred upon me five times after my colors
had boen struck. 1t is charitable to sup
pose that ship of war of Christian ma
ton could not have done this Intentional
ly.
awe now turned all our exertions to-
wards saving the wounded and such of
the boys of the ship who were unable to
swim. These were deposited in my quar-.
ter-boats, the only boats remaining to me,
the waist boats having been torn to pieces.
"Some twenty minutes after my fur
mace fires had been extinguished, and the
ship being on the point Of settling, every
man, in obedience to previous order
which had been given the crew, jumped
overheard and endeavored to save him
self.
"There was no appearance of any boat
coming to me from the enemy after my
ship went down. Fortunately, however,
the steam yacht Deerhound, owned by u
gentleman of Lancashire, England, Mr..
John Lancaster, who was himself on board,
steamed up i'll the midst of my drowning
men and rescued number of both officers
aud men from the water. | was fortunate
enough myself thus to escape to the shell
ter of the neutral flag, together with about
forty others, all told.
"About this time the Kearsage sent
one, and then, tardily, another boat.
accompanying you will find lists of
the killed and wounded, and of those who
were picked up by the Deerhound; the
remainder, there is reason to hope, were
picked up by the enemy and by q couple
Of French pilot boats, which were also
fortunatel y near the scene of action.
CAT the end of the engagement it was
discovered by those of sour officers who
went alongside the cnemy's ship with the
wounded that hcrsmidship section on both
sides was thoroughly iron coated this hav-
ing been done with cuain constructed for
the purpose, placed repeudiOulsrsy from