The Camden daily journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1864-1864, 1864-07-19


nas OF one or two of the Atlanta newspapers have
arrived in that cyc and that in the event of Atlanta
oeile taken they will resume publication at that point
-----~-~--~ ~: -~.-.-
Inc Augusta Chronicle and Sentinel of Saturday.
copies, from Yankee and European papers, lull ac-
counts OF the fight between the Alabama and the Koar
sage which, in view Of the deep interest everywhere
excited by tho fate Of tho famous cruiser we sho,ld
like to republish. But they arc too lengthy they
would fill our little sheet twice over So We condense
The most interesting particulars for tho benefit of our
readers.
Ihe kearsage was wooden scrcw steamer of / O3l
tons, built in 1862 at the Portsmouth. N. H. Navv
Yard, and carrying four broad.side thirtytwo pounders
and three rided guns One Of which was thirt,.tvo
pounder and the two others eleven inch guns
The Alabama was also wooden screw Steamer of
about the same tonnage the Kearssge built in
1861 at Brkenhead, by tho Messrs Lari, and car.
fieo SIX oroasde thrty-twos, one sixty po und-
err and one hundred-pouhd rifle gun The Alabama
caFrea one gun m2Ee than the Kearsage but the ord
nance OF the latter was superior in weight Of metal
Inc m s'oes OF the Gearsage were also temporarily
protected by heavYchan cables suspended, from tho
buwarhs
lie Alabama arrived at Cherbosurg on the 18th ult
ana the Kearsage appeared of the port the same day
On tile next day Captain SEMMEs addressed note to
the commander Of the Yankee cruiser, renegade
North Carollnah JOHN y. WINsLow by nalne request
ing him to remain off the port for day or two, proms
"g to come out and engage him. This lie did on the
following Sunday, the 10Th ult.
On lhe appearance of the Alabama, steanng out of
the harbor The Kca:saee stood out to sea and gained
In ofhHg OF SIX " seven miles when she rounded to
and awaited SE.MEs' attack SEMMEs opened the
nght which lasted about an hour when, finding his
vessel disabled and in sinking condition, he ATTEMPT
cd to draw off and make for the land Finding it I'M,
possible to do So he Struck his flag and, almost i'm
mcdiately after. the Alabama went down stern fore
most.
Mr. MASON has sent to tho Lopdon Times, a COPY
Of SEMtlEs' official report from which we make tho
following extracts: :
In an hour and ten minutes the Alabama was found
to be ina sinking state, the enemys shells having
exploded on her sides and between decks
For few minutes ! had hopes of reaching the
French coast; but tho ship filled rapidly and tile furn-
ace fires were eXtnguished
now hauled down the colors to prevent the further
destruction OF life, and ciached boat to inform the
enemy of our condition. Although we were now
but four hundred yards from each other, the enemy
tired at me ye times after the colors had boen struck
1t IS charitable to suppose that ship war of
Chrlstan nation not have done this Intentionally
Some twenty minutes after my furnace fires had
been extnguished and the ship being tho point OF
sinking, each man, in obedience. to previous order
which had been given to the crew, jumped overheard
and endeavored TO save himself
There was 70 appearance Of any boats coming from
the enemy after the ship went down. 1 was fortu-
nate myself IN escaping to the shelter of the neutral
lag on board Mr.. Laucastor's Yacht Dcerhound. to.
gether with forty Others
Capt. sEMMEs was received with great enthusiasm at
Southampton and the papers claim him as tho guest
OF the English nation. A subscription, limited to one
guinea, and headed by ADMIRAL VERNON Of the Brit
ish Navy has been started to- purchase a sword 70,
oapt SEAAEs to replace the one lost with tho Ala
bama Arrangements have also been made for fnrn
'shing him another ship larger and more powerful
Than the Alabama The London correspondent of the
N. Y. Herald, who claims to have seen tho vessel
writes as follows:''o.o .Hxi1.l':,.
In few days a: new Alabama, aud part of a new
and part of the old crew. will be cutting tho salt sef
foam at speed of sixteen knots an hour sinking and
burning "hat merchant vessels yet remain under thu
Stripes and Stars and fitted out as before, with Lrt