Daily Honolulu press. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1886, 1885-11-27
HER FIRST BATTLE.
A VICTORY FOR THE CONFEDERATE
STEAMER ALABAMA
An Account OF the Sinking of tho U. 8
Gunboat Hatteras = Crew Saved
by the Alabama : Victory I'm
Twenty Minutes.

t''Union Jack" IN Detroit Free Press
On the afternoon OF Jan. IL, 1853, tho u.
s. gunboat Hatteras was at anchor off Gal
weston. in commany with the feet Under
command OF Commodore Bell, ono of Farra.
CUTS favorites, AMI most trusted lieuten-
ants. Suddenly the distinguishing pcnnant
of the Hatteras was reported flying from
the flagship Brooklyn, quickly followed by
a signal to chase a sail TO the southwark and
eastward. In few moments the Hatteras
was steaming with all possible speed
In the direction indicated All hands
we're on deck, everybody on the qui
vive, IN high spirits at the prospect Of
possibly making some prize money. After
some time the strange sail could be seen
from the deck Of the pursuing vessel, which
was ascertained to be a steamer. Tho fact
was at once communicated to the flagship
by signal
The Hatteras had formerly been mar
chant steamer, known as the Saint Mary,
and transferred Into the national service In
consideration Of the sum Of $40, 900. She
was about 1, 100 tons, 2l0 feet in length and
81 feet beam. Neither In build, strength,
speed nor armament was she fitted 10 en-
gagoa regular man-of war The heaviest
guns she carried wero short thirty-two-
thirty-pounder Parrot rifles, one twenty.
FOUNDER rifle and ono howitzor. She car
ro1 In all eight guns. Her machinery was
exposed, and her frame was too slight to
endure the explosion of heavy shells.
GIVING CHASE.
At Hrst the Hatteras did not gain per-
ceptibly upon the stranger. but a. the sun
declined in the west, and the shadows of the
heeting twilight darksnei the waters It be-
came apparent to all on board that from
some cause or other the unknown steamer
was rapidly losing ground Capt Blake
paced tho quarterback OF his vessel silently
and plunged In deep reverie. Hs was
satisfied that deception was being practical,
from the fact that at first the chase easily
maintained her distance, ami never DELHI
erately allow d the cruiser to approach.
1t was near z o'clock and quite dark,
when 1t was observed that the steamer had
stopped her engines and was lying broad
side to awaiting the Hatteras
When within speaking distance-about
seventy yards Blake hailel her, "What
ship Is thatp
"Her Brtanic maj ,sty's ship vixenp was
the quick response. Lieutenant Commander
Blake replied that he would send boat
aboard, and Immediately gave the order
In the meanwhile both We sells were chang
ing their positions, the stranger enjeavor-
ing to gain favorable position for O rals-
ing fire.
BRoADsIDE.
. Almost simultaneously with the piping
away Of the boat q hoarse cry came from
the deck OF the dark, somber stegmer, eve
are the Confederate steamer Alabama" and
this was accompanied by broadsido with
out further prelude or warning.
1t was at once replied to by Blake. who,
aware Of the vulnerable points Of hi, craft
and her light measurement, saw that his
only chance was to close with the Alabama,
and perhaps rid the seas OF tho marauder BY
boarding. The Hatteras steamed directly
for her antagonist who knew that he had
the gunboat In his power and preferred
to fight safe battle. The superior speed OF
the Alabama enabled her to maintain suit
able distance, using her heavy guns with
terrible effects, AMI the attempts OF Capt
Blake to close were thwartel The ac ion
was maintained at not over thirty yards in
tervening and tho crack of rifles carbines
and musketry, mingled with the deeper roar
OF the guns
At length she'll entered amid ships In the
hold setting fire to it, and at the same in
slant q shell passed through the sick bay, ok
.ploding in an adjacent compartment, also
producing fire; another entered tho cylinder,
filling the en- sine-room and deck with steam.
rendering it impossible to mansuver the
vessel or to work the pump. upon which
the reduction OF the fire depended.
HOPELESS WRECK.
Vita thu vssse. on fire in tvs pllce,, b..
younr buman2power to extingui h. hol
less wreck upon tie water, with h,r walk
ing beam slot away ani hsr gins rem
derel useless. an active fire was still main
tainei with tue hope OF chance shot disa-
BILE the Alabama, while the fash OF the
guns would serve as guide to direct the
movements OF the fleet.
They werc seen sixteen miles az way, and the
Brooklyn, Cayuga and Scota started In the
direction where the vivid CLEANS Of light
proclaimed TIE scans of the conflict. but
long before they reached the spot tho Hat
teras hal found a last resting place at the
bottom OF the ocean; and the 800" SO num-
berei by the English builder TO show how
many frienis had contributed t. fit her out
otherwise the Alabama, hal disappeared
1t was soon reported to Blak, that shells
hal entered thu Hatteras at the water line,
tearing of entire sheets OF iron and that
tie water was rushing in. utterly dsfying
every attempt to remedy the evil, and that
she was rapidly sinking
THE SURRENDER.
To prevent her from blowing up the mag
azine was flooded. and then boomsd forth IN
sullon reverbsrations tbs reports Of the lee
guns 1t was the token OF submission, and
tina firing of the Alabama ceasei 1t wa
Easy to see that the Hattsrai was sinking,
which fact prompted Ssmmss TO proifer aid
To keep the battered hulk ahoat until his
crew coull be saved, Blake orierel lis
armament o. one side to be thrown over
board. Hal he not dons so, the Hittera,
would hayeproved ths tomb OF many a
gallant blue jacket As it wa'. every living
being was savei
After some delay, caused by the report
that steamer was approaching froIn the
direction OF Galveston. the boats OF tue
Alabama arrived alongside Ten minutes
after leaving her the Hatteras went down,
bow lrst, with her pennant at the masthead,
and all her musketi and guns Of every
character. the enemy not being able TO OBJ
tain single trophy Nearly fifty shots
were fired from the Hasteras, and greater
number from the Alabama. 1t occupied
less than twenty minutes to win the victory.