Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-10-04
sarge put about and steered directly for the

sarge put about and steered directly for the
Alabama, which opened FIRE at a range of
about mile. The following account of the
fight that ensued is given by Capt Winslow
Immediate ordered more speed; but in
two minutes the Alabama had again loaded
and fired another broadside, and following it
with . third, without damaging us except in
rigging. We had arrived within 900 yards of
her, and / was apprehensive that another
broadside. nearly raking as it was, would
prove disastrous. l accordingly ordered the
kearsarge sheered, and opened on the Alaba-
ma. The positions of the vessels were now
broadside to broadside, but it was soon appar-
ent that Capt. Semmes did not seek close ac-
ton. became then fearful lest, after some
lighting, that he would again make for the
shore. To defeat this. determined to keep
full speed on, and with a port helm to run I'M
der the stern of the Alabama, and rake if he
did not prevent this by steering and keeping
his broadside to us. He adopted this mode
as preventive, and, as consequence, the
Alabama was forced, with q full head of steam,
into circular track during the engagement
The effect of this manGuvre was such that,
at the last of the action, when the Alabama
would have made off, she was near five miles
from the shore; and had the action continued
from the first in parallel lines, with her head
in shore, the line of jurisdiction would no
doubt have been reached.
The firing of the Alabama from the first was
rapid and wild; toward the close of the action
her firing became better. Our men, who had
been cautioned against rapid firing without
direct aim, were much more deliberate; and
the instructions to point the heavy guns be-
low rather than above the water line, and
clear the deck with the lighter ones, were full
ly observed. had endeavored with port
helm to close in with the Alabama but it was
mt s,et hnfo a. q sEn
that we were in a position to use grape; this
was avoided, however, by her surrender. The
effect OF the training of our men was evident;
nearly every shot from our guns was telling
fearfully on the Alabama, and on the seventh
rotation on the circular track she winded, set
ting fore trysail and two jibs, with head in
shore.
Her speed was now retarded, and by wind
, ing her port broadsde was presented to US
with only two guns bearing, not having been
able, as l learned afterward, to shift over but
one. l saw now that she was at our mercy,
and few more guns well directed brought
down her flag. l was unable to ascertain
whether they had been hauled down or shot
: away, but u white flag having been displayed
over her stern, followed by two guns fired to
o leeward, our fire was reserved. Two minutes
:, had not more than elapsed before she agair
~ opened on us with the two guns on the por
ID side. This drew our FIRE again, and the Kear
II sarge was Immediately steamed ahead and la,
across her bows for rakng.
III The white flag was still flying, and our fir
It. was again reserved Shortly after this lie
Mt boats were seen to be lowering, and an office
in one of them came alongside and informe
- US the ship had surrendered and was fast sink
Ike ing. In twenty minutes from TIE time tn
be Alabama went down, her mainmast, whc
81 had received a shot, breaking near the heat
vi as she sank, and her bow rising high out O
ed the water as her stern rapidly settled. The
ne fire OF the Alabama, although it is stated SHE
discharged $40 or more shell and shot, wa.
10 not of serious damage to the Kearsarge. Some
I'd thirteen or fourteen of these had taken etfec
ID in and about the hull, and sixteen or seven
teen about the waist and rigging.
The boats of the Kearsarge were at once
n sent to receive the officers and crew of the
|. Alabama, but SO rapidly did she go down that
;, it was impossible to save them all without as
" sistance. Capt. Winslow accordingly reques-
If ted the Deerhound, which had meanwhile
came along to assist in the rescue of the pris-
20 oners. The crew of the privateer were by
80 this time struggling for their lives in the
y water, and many of the wounded men went
d down. In the confusion of the moment the
" Deerhound, after picking up fifty -one persons
> including Semmes, who was wounded
re steamed off toward the English coast, ant
e when observed, had got too much the start t.
+, be overhauled The total number brought OF
- board the Kearsarge was sixty nine, of whom
70 Seventeen were wounded; and twelve were
10 picked up and carried into Cherbourg by two
y, French pilot boats. Several of the wounded
died soon after, and the total number of offers
o and men belonging to the Alabama who were
r landed n France or Englad, amounted to ll5.
The casualties of the Kearsargs amounted to
= =. only three wounded. This the most remarka-
Bile sea fight between single ships that has oc-
CURED within the century was witnessed by
thousands of spectators on the French shore,
and the result produced profound impression
in Europe and America.