The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-07-15
A Naval DueI in 1919.

In the month of June, 1913, there wac
great rejoicing in England over the first
stresk Of good luck that had occurred to
States. The exuberauce CT their delight
resembied that which the Yankees exhibit
over the destruction Of the Alabama and OF
itself was . tribute to the proves OF the
adversary whom for the frat time they had
succeeded In overcoming. The combat, q
regular naval duel, resembles in 30 many
points that OF the Alabama and Kearsarge
that recital Of the circumstances may not
be without Interest at this time.
The British attributed their constant de-
feats In the late war to the larger size of
American vessels and longer range of Ame-
rican guns, which hammered them to pieces
before they could get to close quarters. 1t
may have been that such inequalities did ex
lat, though not in all cases. They resolved.
however, that they would ut out vessel
capable of coping with one Of the largest
American frigates, aud challenge her to q
fight. At this time the American frigate
Chesapeake, commanded by Captain Law
sence. wac lying In Boston hsrbor, nearly
ready for sea. Capt. Lawrence, q gallant and
popular ofiicer. had just returned from .
victorious career, having, while In command
of the u. 8. ship Hornet whipped and sunk
Fl. d. NJ ship Peacock. For this brilliant
action he was promoted to the command of
the Chesapeake, and while thus In CON-
,nand, the 6ha nnon, the ship prepared by
the English for q contest with large Ameri =,
can fdgates, appeared of the harbor and
made signals expressive OF challenge
Capt. Broke, commander of the Shannon
also sent written challenge to Capt. Law
renee, (Which did not arrive, however, till
aftor he had sailsd,) couched in the most
bland ard courteous terms; infinitely de-
failing the force OF his ship; aud o tfaring, if
the Chesapeake should not be completely
prepared, to cruise Off and on till euch time
~ she made specified signal Of being ready
for the conflict. There Is certainly q con-
trast between British aud Yankee charity,
Tor the manner In which Capt. Semmes WIS
Jeff 10 the dark as to the Superior strength
OF the Kearslrge will be- regarded by his
countrymen as adding new leaf 10 the
tfVutt VI (opt. ViueioW.
Americsns have slways commended that the
Chesapeake was not prepared for the con-
test, whereas the shannon was specially
made ready in armament and crew. Here is
another poiat of analogy with the late con-
test The London Times says that Capt.
semmes came out with ship just returned
From long voyage aud much in want of
repair, to encounter far larger, better
manned, better armed, provided, e it TUNED
out, with some special continuance for pro-
tection," Sc. Moreover, the Kearsarge was
built for lighting, and the Alabama for speed
whereas the Chesapeake was built as ship
Of war, and We have never seen 1t pretended
that her adversary surpassed her In sizs.
Ga the Let OF june the Chesapeaks put
Out to sea, and, like the Alabama, com-
msncsd the contest. The battle was fought
within pistol shot, aud was short. DESPERATE
and bloody. The execution 10 both stips
was terrible, but the fire OF the Shsnuan
peculiarly fatal. The officers a well = The
msn Of the chesapeake euffered seysrslv
The 6nt shot killed the sailing master. tho
fourth Aeotsnant received 1t the Same time
= mortal w0nnd, and Ut the came moment
Capt. lawrence was SHOT through the leg
With mUsket ball Three men we're shot