Charles City intelligencer., 1864-07-14

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A correspondent of the London
Times, under date of Southampton,
Monday, June Goth, writes
The English steam yacht Dcerhound,
belonging to Mr.. John Lancaster OF
Hindley Hall, Wigan, Lancashire, ar
rived here last night and landed Capt.
Semmes Commander of the late Con-
federato steamer Alabama), thirteen
officers and twenty-six men, whom she
rescued from drowning after the action
off Cherbourg yesterday which result.
ed in the destruction of the world-re-
nowned Alabama. The Deerhound is
yacht of 100 tuns and 70-horsepow-
er, and her owner is member of the
Royal Yacht Squadron at Cowes, and
the Royal Mersey Club BY somc-
what singular coincidence, she was
built by Messrs. Laird & son of Birk-
enhead, and proof Of her feetness is fur.
nished by the fact that she steamed
home from the scene Of action yester-
day at the rate of Is nots an hour.
On arriving at Chcrbourg, at 10
o'clock on Saturday night, by railway
from Caen, Mr.. Lancaster was inform
ed by the captain of his yacht, which
was lying in harbor awaiting his ar
rival, that it was reported that the
Alabama and Kearsarge were going
out to fight each other in the morn
ing. Mr.. Lancaster, whose wife,
niece, and family were also on board
his yacht, at once determined to go
out in tho morning and see the com.
bat.
The Alabama left Cherbourg har-
Dor about 10 o'clock on Sunday MORN
ing, and the Kearsarge was then
several miles out to seaward, with her
steam up, ready for action. The
French plated ship-of.war Couronne
followed the Alabama out of harbor,
and stopped when the vessels were a
league off the coast, her object being
to see that there was no violation Of
the law of nations by any fight taking
place within the legal distance from
land. The combat took place about
nine miles from Cherbourg. Below is
and extract from the log kept on board
the Deerhound ... .s s......
| Sunday, June 10, Q A. M-Got up
steam and proceeded out of Cherbnrg
barbor. l0:3O-Observed the Ala
bama steaming out of the harbor
toward the Federal Steamer Rear.
sarge. l1:l0-The Alabama com.
menced firing with her starboard bat.
terry, the distance between the contend.
ing vessels being about one mile. The
Kearsarge Immediately replied with
her starboard guns; very sharp,
spirited firing was then kept mp, shot
sometimes being varied by shells. In
maneuvering both vessels made seven
complete circles at a distance of from
a quarter to half mile. At - a
slight intermission was observed in
the Alabama's firing, the Alabama
making head sail. and shaping her
course toward the land, distant about
nine miles. At 1890 observed the
Alabama to be disabled and in sink
ing state. We Immediately made
toward her, and on passing the Kear-
sarge were requested to assist in saw
ing the Alabama's crew. At 1880,
when within distance Of 200 yards
the Alabama sank. We then lowered
our two boats, and, with the assist
Iance Of the Alabama's whaleboat and
dingy, succeeded in saving about 40
men, including Capt. Semmes and 13
officers. At P. N. we stecred for
Southampton.
The southampton correspondent Of
the London Daily Ners says that Mr..
Lancaster, of the English yacht, be-
ing requested by the commander of
the Kearsarge to save from drowning
the Alabama's men i'm tho water, he
proceeded to do SO. Passing near one
of the men almost exhausted, ono Of
the men in the boat cried out "That's
Semmes and the drowning man re-
sponded, Il am the Captain, save me,
/ cannot keep mp any longer" He
was dragged in. when he said, "For
Gods sake, don't put me on board The
Kearsarge, but pnt me on board your
yacht" This was promised, and
Semmes was slowed away in the bot
tom of the boat and covered with q
sail, to conceal him from those in the
Kearsarge's boats, who we're evidently
anxiously searching for him. He was
then taken to the yacht and placed he.
low. Mr.. Lancaster soon after has
tened away, fearful that he would be
overhaulcd and his vessel searched. I.
Thus was Semmes saved from the gal.
lows by contemplate trick played
by a friendly Englishman.
The London Daily Ners charges
that the Deerhound acted as sort of
tender to the Alabama, and that Capt.
Winslow would have secured the
whole of the officers and crew of the
Alabama had be not placed too much
confidence in the honor Of the owner
of the yacht. That he considered
Capt. Semmes and others who escaped
as bound in honor to give themselves
up, and that he did not pursue aud
FIRE upon the Deerhound because he
did not believe any one carrying the
flag of the Royal Yacht squadron
would act SO dishonorably. The daily
Neaos also publishes letter from Mr..
Stoddard, Master of the kearsarge,
complaining that the Deerhound was
the consort of the Alabama. Mr..
Stoddard says that when he saw the
Deerhound making off with part of the
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