The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-07-06
The Sight from the Decrhound.
TO THE EDITOR OF Tile NEW YoRE HERALD.


- cowEs June TO- 1864 !
II is seldom that an american abroad has the orpor
tunity of sending homo such glorious news 1t is
my fortune to narrate The Alabama, oherw se known
tho 5000" has at last met the fate she richly dc
served, aud at the hands OF Uuited states gunboat
which Captain semmes OF his choice had challenged
TO mortal combat.
Last week tho Alabama arrived at Chorbourg for the
purpose Of repairing, preparatory TO another cruise
OF destruction; but owing to the absence OF the
Emperor, who was at Foniainebleau, there was
some delay 10 procuring the necessary permission
In the meantime Captain Wnsow, OF the United states
soop Kearsarge received reformation OF tie Alabama
arrival aud Immediately left the vcinity Of Dover
watch and, u possible to capture the pirate.
On Saturday Captain semmes went shore, whcro be
had an Interview with gentlomsn connected with the
firm Of Saunders Il 0tely, and with whom he lett his
journals aud other documents connected with the Ala
bama, saying that "e would not have that damned Yam
kea GaGnng his flag before him. but would 90 out and
fight HIM" This Of caused considerable talk as
well excitement at Cherbourg some believing that
semmes would keep his word and others not he English
steam yacht Deerhound owned b. Mr. Lancaster was at
Cherbourg, having board Mr. L., his wife aud family
who determined TO witness the engsscmeat.
On Sunday morning. the 18th Of June, the weather
| being GEAR with light wndz, the Alabama was
observed to be preparing to cast loose from tho dock
evidently for the purpose OF going TO This mmod
ateiy cinsed tho Deerhound 10 sot up steam mad o,ye
cherbourg at nine O'Clock A. M followed By The Ara
irou.cad Ccuronne which ship took up position within
ihree miles Of The land TO prevent aGhtins in neutral
waters
| Thc Kearsargc at this time was about ten niles on
shore, and, observing tie movements OF the Alabama,
| stcered towards tho pirate When within distance OF
two thousand yards the Alabama cummeGced the action
the Keprsarpe Immediately replying with hcr staboad
guns. sharp and most spirited IRE now Kept up
between the two vessels, the Alabama firing pribcp1iy
solid shot, ard the kearsirge using more sne Ton lcr
eleven inch columbads.
In manCuvrng they made seven complete circles, tae
Alabama endeavorng TO keep al long range, bit unsuo
cessfuy, account Of tho superior poTs- ol the Hoar
| sarge.
| aud she . 10 make head sail towards liant Tier
escape. however, was not permitted b. The kersotge
Alabama had her stero unieg water and . white iag
flying and nj ity minutes past twelve she lplcn
10 her port aide and sank thus ending her career OF e
stucticn under tho guns Of the hrt war hp she uas
venttcd TO encounter. And may thus eud M enemies
The engagement lasted lust one hour from the ilmo
the two vesci into range Toe hriug or tbc Ala
bama much more rapid Than on the Kearslraf she
tAabama) firing three to her st the beginning 20 tue
seton, but gradually diminishing, thus shovpl NC sure
,or manner in which the guns o. ne Rcatsarse were
emiss. Therefore wil give 1.-THE Aisbsma, 2sei
was launched from the building yard o. the Messrs.
| Lard, OF Brkenhcad she was bark rugged wooden
rrcpccr lcio tons register, 2o feet cngn = keel 80
feet leagb over all, 81 ice, beam ard u ieci depth
Fer engines were built BY Laird Co. aud were Two
hcrzoptai ones, three hundred power encb WITH
stowpge for nearly four hundred tons o. coal Her sa
atd siaDdiug fIfginE NJ all times aYasDit Wcfe - ~
lows -torc, toretopmast, staysaiit tb, two iafse "
sas The usual square sails on fore AZ man, WIN ne
exception OF nsinsail, which lyipg one, spsnker
and saf toysais ell the standing rigging ives we sue
also had double wheel, and ,he motto, Aide a. e D@
fa,i,a. she carried Ave boats w cutter sud isaces
amisshi!s, gig end whslsboas DetNeen the main end
mYep inas,s, aud ainey estein. The ms,u deck vas
rorQed or Twelve guns elliptic stern o,le h,sd high
bulwsrks: the time se lei, Cnoro'crs hsf g ew
4 numbered rye hundred end Gfsy refscus ne s'ieu
from Liye- the 2sih Of iuy, 1854 and asf piey
ing lrf re,fy two yeas npon unarmed mesehentnen
a,,1 rforU, pd tpt no
boosted trowcss than the destruction ~ the ltucras
ured by the display Of tase co'cis within range y Les
nre she fought her fret and last battle. enc ay
truly "shs has been Tho lWbt u tDe raine'
has knaed the ocean, but never IN Tue REQ gso o.
battle" FNWt f.f9
II s amusing 20 see The wry faces that John B make
the news "a her desvuctior especially ateF having
made much tan ~ the American navy. TIC ilfa -
obi 40 hard TO swalow~tbnt Yankee gunbsat. WIN
crew ~ one hundred men aud eight runr Should have 10
only utterly destroyed but sc'ua'y sunk In ene shor
hour man OF wsr built, armed, equipped end nann''
by Fnasshren (wbo sing "Brttanniajrniee tho wave y
In fact, nothing but regular appointed 1T tsh fnaa 9,
| war only ssslne Under dMIcrcnt colcss. Among thos
who svmrahze wiih the South there ~ an evident ee