Connecticut western news., 1886-04-21
THE ALABAMA"
The Confederate Cruisers
 Last Engagement.
How She Was Sunk by the "Kearsarge'
 Of the French Coast.

bama," by one of her sailors, in the Gen. tury, we quote the following: "We got everything ship-shape and left Cherbourg for our last cruise on bright Sunday morning, June 18th. We were escorted by a French armored vessel and when we got outside we could see the Kearsarge awaiting us about four miles away. Captain Semmes made us short speech which was we'll received, though it seemed odd to me that an American should ap- peal to an Englishman's love of glory to animate him to fight the speakers own countrymen. But we cheered, and the French ship leaving us, we steamed straight for the Kearsarge. There is no doubt that Semmes was Hurried and con- menced firing too soon. We were, I should say, nearly mile away, and do not think single shot told. The enemy circled around us and did not return our fire until within seven or eight hundred yards and then she let us have it. The first shot that struck us made the ship reel and shake all over. was serving on one of the thirty-two pounders, and my sponger was an old man-o'-war's man, who remarked, after look out of the port, We might as we'll fire batter pud- dens as these pop-guns: few more biffs like that last and we may turn turtle. He had scarcely spoken when shell burst under our pivot-gun, tilting it out of range and killing five of the crew. What is wrong with the rifle gun2' was asked. We don't seem to be doing the enemy any harm, while with slow preci- sion came the crash of the heavy shell of the Yankee. One missile that seemed as big as haystack whizzed over our heads, taking section of the port bulwarks away, fortunately missing man that was handling shot. He only remarked that he believed the Yankee was firing 'steam-b'ilers' at us. Another shell struck us amidships, causing the ship to list to port so that our gun weighing three tons raced in, pinning one poor fellow against the port-sill. He died be- fore we could get him clear. This was the missile that sunk the Alabama She's going downr was the cry, and all was confusion. Another shell struck about the water hne, and the vessel reeled like drunken man. The dead and wounded were lying about the deck, which was red with blood. Our officers did their duty and the men at once be- gan to get up the wounded. The cutter and launch were in the water, and the officers were trying to keep the men back till the wounded were all in; but certain ly many of them were left, for I saw sev- eral on the berth-deck when went be- low, and the boats were then full and pushing off. When 1t was certain that the ship was sinking, all order was at an end. had e1O and a watch in a lock- CT between decks, and ran below, but they were gone.
 "!Au hands on deck-ship's going downp was called, and had just got on the upper step of the forward compan- ion-way when the water, entering the berth-deck ports, forced the air up and almost carried me off my legs. I cast my eyes around for a moment. Old Gill, with his head crushed under the carriage of the eight-inch gun, was lying there, his brawny hands clinching the breast of his jumper. Just as the water came over the stern went over the port bulwarks. was a good swimmer, and had not been in the water five minutes when O French pilot-boat came running past, and a brawny fellow in petticoats and top-boots dragged me out of the water"