Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-07-14
OFFICIAL REPORT OF CAPT. sEnMEs.

0EEICIAL HEEOhT DE CAEI. bGn@Gb.
Mr. MASON has caused TO be published In the London
Times the following official report of Capt Semmes OF his
late engagement with the United States ship Kearsage
Mr. syas himself of the occasion to state that the crew
If the Alabama numbered one hundred and twenty
and that her armament consisted Of one 7nch Bakely
rhed gum one 8nch smooth bore pivot gun, and ak 81
Founders, smooth bore, in broadsde
SOUTHAMPTON, JUNE 81, 1854
SIR have the honor inform you that accordance
with my intention, previously announced to you, l
of the harbOr Of Cherb0urg between nine and
ten o'clock the morning OF the 18th OF june for the
purpose OF engaging the enemys steamer when
had been lying off and the port for several days pro-
vously.
After clearing the barbor deserted the enemy with
his head of shore at distance OF about seven miles
were three quarters of hour in coming up with him.
had previously pivoted to starboard and made all
my preparations for engaging the enemy on that side
When within about mile and quarter OF the enemy no
suddenly wheeled and bringing his head in shore pre-
scented his rboard battery to BY this time were
distant about mile from each other when opened on
him with solid shot, to which he replied in few minutes,
and tina engagement became active on both sides.
The enemy now pressed his ship under full bead OF
steam and to prevent passing esch other too speedily
and to keep respective broadsides bearing became
necessary light circle the two ships steamng around
a common centre, and preserving distance from each
other Of from quarter to half mile When we got
within good shell range we opened upon him with shell
Some ten fifteen minutes after the commencement OF
the action spanker gait shot away and ensign
came down by the run. This was Immediately replaced
by another at the mizzenmast head
The firing becsme very hot and the enemy's shot
and shell began to tell upon hull knocking down.
killing and disabling number of men in different parts OF
the ship Perceivng that shell, though apparently
exploding against the enemys sdes were doing him but
little damage returned to solid shot firing and from this
time onward attended (aernated7) with shot and shell
After the lapse Of about hour and ten minutes our
ship ascertaned to be in sinking condition, the
my shell having exploded in sides and between decks
opening large apertures through which the water rushed
with great rapidly
For some few minutes had hopes of being able to reach
the French coast for which purpose gave the ship all
steam and such of the fore and a sails avaia
bic The ship filled rapidly, however that before we
had made much progress the fires exngushed in the
furnaces and we evidently the point of sinking
now hauled down my colors to prevent the further de-
structon of e and dispatched boat to inform the enc
my of our condition. Although now but four
hundred yards from each other the enemy fired upon
FIVE times after my coors had been struck It'll charita
bic to suppose that ship of of Christian nation
could not have done this Intentionally.
We turned all our exertions towards saving the
wounded and such of the boys of the ship who were I'M
able to swim. These deposited in my quarterboats
the only boats remaining to me-the wastbosts having
been torn to pieces.
Some twenty minutes after my furnace fires had been
extipgushed and the ship being the point of settling
every msn, in obedience to previous order which had
been given the crew, jumped overheard and endeavored
to save himself
There appearance of any boat coming to from
the enemy after my ship went down Fortunately, how
ever the steam yacht Deerhound owned by gentleman
of Lancashire, England Mr.. John Lancaster who was
himself board steamed up in the midst of my drowning
men, and rescued number of both officers and men from
the water fortunate enough myself thus to escape
to the shelter of the neutral ag together with about forty
Others all told About this time the Kearsarge sent
and then, tardiy, another boat
Accompanying you will find lists OF the killed and wound
ed and of those who picked up by the Deerhound
the remainder there hope, picked up by
the enemy and by couple of French pilot boats, which
were also fortunately near the scene of action
At the end of the it discovered by thoss
OF officers who went alongside the enemys ship with
the wounded that her mdship section both sides
thoroughly roncoated this having been done with chain
constructed for the purpose placed perpendicuary from
the rail TO the waters edge, the whole covered By
thin outer pankng which gave indication of the armor
beneath.
This planking had been ripped Off in every direction by
shot and she'll the chain broken and ndented many
places aud forced partly into the ships side. She
most efectuay guarded however, in this section from
penetration. The enemy much damaged in other
parts but to what extent s impossible to tell 10
believed be was badly crippled.
NV officers and men behaved steadily and CALAMITY, and
though they have lost their ship they have not lost honor
Where all bsbaved well il would be invidous to par
cuarze but cannot deny myself the pleasure of saying
that Mr. Ke my first lieutenant deserves great credit
with regard TO her battery magazine and shell rooms and
that be rendered great assistance by his GOODNESS and
judgment as the fight proceeded.
The enemy heavier than myself both in ship bat
terry and crew but did not kaow until the action
over that she iron.cad
Our total loss in killed and wounded is thirty-o wit:
nine killed, twenty-ope wounded
have the honor to be, very respectfully your obedent
servant. X. SEMMEs, Captain