The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-07-06
The Sight from the "Deerhouud." :"

On THE DECK OF THE "DERRHoUND," CowBs,
June l9.-It is seldom that an American abroad
has the opportunity Of sending home such glo-
rious news as 1t is now my fortune to narrate.
The alabama, otherwise known as the 1920 -
has at last met the fate she so richly deserved,
and at the hands of United States gunbOat,
which Captain Semmes, of his own choice, had
challenged to mortal combat.
Last week the alabama arrived at Cherbourg
for the purpose preparatory to another
cruise of destruction but owing 10 the absence Of
the Emperor, who was at Fontainebleau, there
was some delay In procuring the necessary per-
mission.
In the meantime Captain winslow, of the Q. S.
sloop Redrsdrge, received information of the
Aldbanld's arrival, and Immediately left the
vicinity of Dover to watch, and, If possible, to
capture the pirate.
On Saturday Captain Semmes went on shore,
where he had an interview with gentleman con-
nected with the firm of Saunders & Otley and
with whom he left his journals and other docu-
ments connected with the alabama, saying that
"He would not have that damned Yankee flaunt-
ing his flag before him, but would go out and
fight him." This, Of course, caused considerable
talk as well as excitement at Cherb0urg, some
believing that Semmes would keep his word, and
others not. The English steam yacht DeeThoun2
owned by Mr.. Lancaster, was at Cherbourg,
having on board Mr.. Lancaster, his wife, and
family, who determined 70 witness the engage
ment
On Sunday morning, the 10Th Of June the
weather being clear, with light winds, the Ala.
bamd was observed TO be preparing TO cast loose
from the dock, evidently for the purpose Of going
TO sea. This Immediately cansed the Deerhota1d
to get up steam and leave Cherbourg at Q o'clock
A. NJ, followed by the Alabama at half past 10
O'Clock A. NJ, and also the French iron-c
COuronne, which ship took up position withiR
three miles Of the land, TO prevent fighting in
neutral waters.
The Kearsarge at this time was about ten miles
of shore, and, observing the movements Of the
AlGbanG, Immediately got on full steam, beat 10
quarters, and steered towards the pirate When
within a distance Of two thousand yards the
Alabama commenced the action by firing q broad
side from her starboard battery, the Redrsdrge
Immediately replying with her starboard guns.
sharp and most spirited hre was now kept up
between the two vessels, the Ala6an,G firing prin-
cipAily solid shot, and the KedrSdrge using moro
she'll from her ll-inch columbiads.
In man0uVring they made seven complete
circles, the alabama endeavoring TO keep at long
range, but unsuccessfully, on account OF the
superior power OF the Rsoysarge.
At twelve NJ. the firing from the Alabama
slackened, and she was seen to make heRd-sail
towards land. Her escape, however, was not
permitted by the Kedrsdrge, who kept mp steady
fire, and at half-past twelve the ALabaHa had her
stern under water, and white flag flying and at
fifty minutes past twelve she gave lurch 10 her
port side and sank, thus ending her career of
destruction under the guns Of the first war ship
she has Yentured 70 encounter And may thus
end all enemies Of the United States.
The engagement lasted just one hour from the
time the two vessels came into range. The firing
on the alabama was much more rapid than on
the RearSarge, she (Aldbdma) firing three 20 her
one at the beginning of the action, but gradually
diminishing, thus showing the superior manner
in which the guns Of the KearSaTge were served.
A short description Of the AlGbaRla may not be
amiss. Therefore vii! give 1t The 1laJapta,
or $3.50" was lausched from the building yard
Of the hsssfs. Laird, Of Birkenhead. She was
barque-Tigged wooden propeller, 1850 tons regis
ter 2l0 feet length of keel, 200 feet length over
all 32 feet beam, and II feet depth.
Her engines were built by Laird & Co.. and
were two horizontal ones, three hundred horse
power each, with stowage for nearly four hun
dred tons Of coal Her sails and standing rigging
at all times available were as follows Fore,
ioretOpmast, staysai-jib, two large try-sails, the
usual square sails on fore and main, with the eX-
ception of mainsail which was flying one,
spanker and gaf topsails all the standing rigging
was wire. She also had double wheel, and the
motto, aide tel, et Dieu Fatdera. She carried
five boats, viz Gutter and launch amidships,
gig and whalebOat between the main and mizen.
masts, and dingy astern. The man deck was
pierced for twelve guns elliptic stern, billet head
high bulwarks.
AZ the time she left Cherbourg her crew
numbered one hundred and fifty persons. She
sailed from Liverpool on the 29th OF July, 1862,
and after preying for nearly two years upon un-
armed merchantmen, and having performed
nothing more worthy Of her boasted proves
than the destruction Of the Hdtterds, lured by the
display Of false colors within range Of her fire,
she has fought her first and last battle. One
may truly say "she has been seen in the light OF
the flames she has kindled on the ocean, but
never in the red glare of battle"
II is amusing 70 see the wry faces that John
| Bull makes over the news of her destruction,
| especially after having made so mnch fun OF the
| American navy. The idea is-oh so hard 10 swal-
| low-that Yankee gunboat, with crew OF one
hundred men and eight guns, should have not
! only utterly destroyed, but actually sunk in one
| short hour man-of-war built, armed, equipped
and manned by Englishmen (who sing "Bri-
tannia rules the wave jim fact, nothing but a
| regular appointed British mRn-ot-war, only sail
| ing under different cOlors,
| Among those who sympathize with the South
there is an evident feeling Of disappointment and
dependency for il was whispered about in Lon
don on Saturday evening that the South would
soon have cause to feel proud Of her achieve
ments at sea. How bitter must be their disap
pointment.
Let ali true patriots rejoice that the Aia6ama 4
no more, and let England take not only lesson
but warning; for she will surely have TO pay IL
| full for the damage done by the English pirate,