The weekly pioneer and Democrat., 1864-07-15
the ALABAMA and KEARsAGE.
Further Particulars Of the En-.
gagement.

Further Particulars of the En-
gagement.
Action Oh Cherbourg Between the
Alabama and Kearsage.
The following particulars of the engagement
between the Alabama and the Kearsage, off
Cherbourg, are taken from the London Times ::
On arriving at Cherbourg at 10 o'clock on
Saturday night, by railway from Caen, Mr.,
Lancaster, of Hindley Hall, Wigan, was inform
ed by the captain of his yacht, the DeerhOund,
which was lying in harbor awaiting his arrival,
that it was reported that the Alabama and the
Kearsage were going to fight each other in the
morning. Mr.. Lancaster, whose wife. niece,
and family were on board his yacht at once
determined to go out in the morning and see
the comboat. The Alabama left Cherbourg
harbor about 10 o'clock on Sunday morning,
and the Kearsage was then several miles out
to seward, with her steam up ready for action.
Inc French plated ship-Of-war COurOnne fol-
lowed the Alabama out of harbor, and stopped
when the vessels were league off the coast,
her object being to see that there was no viola
ton of the laws of nations by any fight taking
place within the legal distance from land. The
combat took place about nine miles from
Alabama names lilo A. M. as the CON-
mencement of the action, and 12:40 P. NJ. as
the period of the cessation, making its dura-
ton an hour and half; while the time OBJ
served on board the Deerhound, which is most
likely to be accurate, that vessel being free of
the excitement and confusion necessarily ex.
isting on board tie Alabama, limited the ac-
tion to an hour, the last shot being fred at
1910. The distance between the two contend
ing vessels when the Alabama opened fire, was
estimated on board the Deerhound at about q
mile, while the Alabama's officer tells me that
she was a mile and half away from the Kear-
sage when she fired the first shot. Be
this as it may, it is certain that the Alabama
commenced the firing, and as it is known that
her guns were pointed for range of 1000
yards, and that the second shot she fired. in
about half minute after the first, went right
into the Kearsage, that may be taken as the real
distance between the two ships. The firing
became general from both vessels at the dis.
tance of q little under mile and was well sus-
tanned On both sides, Mr.. Lancaster's impress
sion being that at no time during the action
were they less than quarter of a mile from
each other. Seven complete circles were
made in the period over which the fight lasted.
1t was estimated on board the Deerhound that
the Alabama fired in all about $50 rounds some
single guns, and some in broadsides of three
or four: and the Kearsage about 100. the ma
jority of which were 11-inch shells. The Ala
hama's were principally Blakely's pivot
guns. In the early part of the action the rela-
live firing was about three from the Alabama
to one from the Kearsage, but as it progressed
the latter gained the advantage, having appar-
entity much greater power OF steam. She ap-
peared to have an advantage over the Alabama
of about three knots an hour, and steam was
seen rushing out of her blowpipe all through
the action, while the Alabama seemed to have
very little steam on. At length the Alabama's
rudder was disabled by one of her opponents
heavy shells, and they hoisted sails but it was
soon reported to Capt. Semmes by one of his
officers that bis ship was sinking. With great
bravery the guns were kept ported till the
muzzles were actually under water, and the
last shot from the doomed ship was fired as she
was settling down. When the stern was com.
pletely under water Capt. Semmes gave orders
could, and every one jumped into the sea and
swan to the boats which had put off to their
rescue. Those of them who were wounded
were ordered by Capt Semmes to be placed in
the Alabamas boats and taken on board the
Kearsage, which was as far as possible obeyed.
Capt. Semmes and a number of officers and
men were saved in the Deerhound's boats, and
when it was ascertained that the water was
clear of every one that had life left, and that
no more help could be rendered, the yacht
steamed away for COwes, and thence to South
amptOn.
Throughout the action the Deerhound kept
about mile to windward of the combattants,
and was enabled to witness the whole of it.
Mr.. Lancaster is clearly of opinion that it was
the Kearsage's 11-inch shells which gave her
the advantage, and that, after what he had
witnessed on this occasion, wooden ships stand
no chance whatever against shells. Both YES
sells fired well into each others hull and the
yards and masts were not much damaged. The
mainmast of the Alabama had been struck bv
shot, and as the vessel was sinking broke off
and fell into the sea, Throwing some men who
were in the mantop into the water. Some
tremendous gaps were visible in the bulwarks
of the Kearsage, and it was believed that some
of her bouts were disabled. She appeared to
be temporarily plated with iron chains, &c.
As far as could be seen, everything appeared
to be well planned and ready on board the
Kearsage for the action. 1t was apparent that
Capt Semmes intended to fight at long range,
and the fact that the Kearsage did not reply
till the two vessels got nearer together showed
that they preferred the short range, and the
superior steaming power of the latter en-
abIed this to be accomplished. 1t is remark
able that no attempt was made by the Kear-
sage to close and board the Alabama, and when
the Alabama hoisted sails and made as If for
shore, the Kearsage moved away in another
direction, as though her rudder or screw was
damaged and out of control. Great pluck
was shown on both sides during the action.
On board the Alabama all the hammocks were
let loose, and arrangements had been made for
sinking her rather than that she should De cap
tured. AS far as is known, not q relic of the
AIaoama Is In possession of her successful rival.
when she was sinking, Capt Semmes dropped
ms own sword into the sea to prevent the pos.
sloiilty OF its getting into their hands, and the
gunner made a hole in one of the Alabamas
boats and sunk her for the same reason.
Before leaving the Deerhound, Captain
sen presented to Mr.. Lancasters son one
brance of the occurrence and the kind treal.
ment he and his men had received on hoard
q the yacht. The men stated thai the best nrac-
tice generally on board the Alabama during
the &C tion was shown by the gunners who had
been trained on board the Excellent in Ports