Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-10

Two Historical Fights COMMUNICATED in
the Model on the White Lot.

Two Historical Fights COMMUNICATED in
the Model on the White Lot.
A correspondent writes to The STAR: In
lumber collected there preparatory to erecting
model Of the famous old warship Kearsarge
(still ahoaD for the purpose Of commemorative
and bringing TO the minds Of the present gener-
alton during the coming g. A. r. encampment
the memorable occasion on which she had the
good fortune to meet and sink the confederate
cruiser Alabama. which gallant action she
achieved most gloriously in the presence Of the
civilized world, with England and France as
eyewitnesses, the writer came across the
identical masts, spars and blocks Of the old
sloop-of-war Wyoming, which had been sent
from the Norfolk navy yard. intended to be
used IN fitting up the model of the Kearsarge
(the two vessels having been sister ships and
during the war bound on the same er-and.) II
IL but Justice to the memory of a brave and
gallant officer in this connection to remind the
public. at this memorable time. Of the brilliant
slngle-handed action in which this old time
honored ship-the Wyoming-pl the active
role, when alone and unsupported, in a far re-
mote land, where, owing to the supposed Grip
pied condition o. our affairs at home, "when
war winged its wide desolation" through the
length and breadth of our beloved country,
insults and indignities we're offered TO our flag,
our legation burned, outrages of every sort
were perpetrated upon our helpless and
defenseiess countrymen in japan and
death and destruction awaited all those
who disregurded the edict of expulsion
issued by the mikado to all foreigners After
numberless indigEities of n similar character
were offered to our countrymen In gross viola
ton of all treaty stipulations, among which
may be cited firing into and OBTAINING help
less merchantmen, ii was decided. on consults-
ton with our minister, the late Robert H.
Pruyn, to teach these western barbarians the
meaning of a treaty, the solemn significance Of
Its stlpulatlons and how we proposed to en- sorce
respect for it. The time was critical one
the Wyoming the only United States mau-of-
war in Asiatic waters-but the occasion was one
when bold front must be shown, and indomi-
table will united with undaunted courage and
skill were the requisites for success failure
meant total annihilation). These qualities
we're III an eminent degree possessed by the
commanding officer of the W yoming, the late
Rear Admiral David Stockton McDouSal. who
determined to enter the narrow and dangerous
straits Of Shimonoski, there to do his duty or
die In the endeavor. In his lexicon there was
no such word as fail
The story Of the Fight Of Shimonoski'' was
well told in an article by Mr.. John T. Coyles
which appeared in the Saturday EVENING STAR
OF March 10, 1892
ing the action the Wyoming fired broa6sides
simultaneously at the rate of gun q minute
1t would be well also to say that in the autumn
OF the same year 1868 had it not been for the
bad faith of English officials during our civil
war, which course they have since had reason
to regret, whereby they aided and abetted the
confederates in every possible way, extending
every courtesy and offering every assistance to
the Alabama whenever she appeared off one Of
their ports, while significant and obviously
reverse course was pursued toward the Wyo-
ming. the queens proclamation having been
read, without loss Of time. upon her
deck. eIacting her departure in TWEEN
ty-four hours under penalty of being
found guilty of violation Of treaty, &C., had
it not been for these acts of treachery on the
part Of our friendly ca cousins. against which
no means had been devised 10 successfully cope
when nothing was left undone or untried to
throw the Wyoming off the scent Of pursuit to
mislead and deceive her-she might have
secured the laurels that grace the victorious
prov Of the kearsarge. for from the command
ing officer down to the humblest subaltern on the
ship not man was there among them who
would not have given his life for the opportun-
ity TO meet in battle array" the famous pri-
yateer.