The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-07-15
THE ALABAMA and KERRSAGE.
Further Particulars of the En-
gagement.
Action Oh Cherbourg Between the
Alabama and KeArsage

Action oGf 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 ut 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
10 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
CherbOurg. One Of the officers of the
Alabama names lilo n. n. az the COM
mencement of the action, and 1910 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
the excitement and confusion necessarily ex.
iStino on board tie Alabama, limited the &C
ton to an hour the last shot being fired at
1910. The distance between the two contend
ing vessels when the Alabama opened fire. was
estimated on board the Deerhound at about
mile while the Alabamas officer tells me that
she was q mile and half away from the Kear-
sage when she fred 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 q range of 1000
wards 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.
lance of . little under mile, and was well sus-
tanned On both sides Mr.. Lancasters 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 150 rounds some
single guns, and some in broadsdes of three
or four: and the kearsage about 100. the ma
iority of which were 11-inch shells. The Ala
hama's were principally Blakely's pivot
runs 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 APP
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 his 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
%l,cS
pletely under water Capt. Semmes gave orders
for the men to save themselves as best they
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 Alabama's boats and taken on board the
kearSage which was as far as possible Obeyed.
Capt. Semme5 and 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 sway for COwGs 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 KearSages 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 Tired 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 maintOp 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
Cant 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-
| abled this to be accomplished. 1t is remark
| able that no attempt was made by the hear-
sage to close and board the Alabama, and when
the Alabama hoiSted sails and made as it tor
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, ana arrangements had been made Tor
| SINKING her rather than that she should DC cap
| tureu AS far as is known, not relic OF the
Aaoalna Is In possession of her successful rival
Wheh she was sinking. Capt. Semmes dropped
MS own sword into the sea to prevent the pos.
sibiity OF its getting into their hands, and the
| gunner iiaoe a hole in one of the Alabama
boats and sunk her for the same reason
before leaving the Deerhound. Captain
Semmes presented to Mr.. Lancasters son one
OF his oifcers swords and pistol in remem
pfaLce Vi Tue OCCURRENCE and the kind treat
ment ne and his men had received on board
the yacht The men stated that the hest nrac-
tice generally on board the Alabama durno
the &C ton was shown by the gunpers who had
been trained on board the Excellent in Ports