Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1892-09-25

Our crew had cleared the ship, put on
their Sunday suits, and were smoking
and discussing the chances Of combat.
1t was 10 a. m. and the bell was ring
ing for religious services, when the
officers were startled by the shout,
''She's coming, and heading straight for
us! The officers FASTENED on deck.
Three vessels could be plainly seen COM
ing from the Cherbourg, apparently IN
der full Roadway. They were the
French iron-clad Couronne, q small
English yacht, the Deerhound. and the
other the dashing 1900" Fight was
surely meant. Capt. Winslow mingled
with the crew and said, "Now, boys, l
want you to whip Semmes in fifteen
minutes; stand by the guns, make every
shot tell, and you can do II"
The combatants drew near each other.
Suddenly the Alabama sheered, pre-
sented her starboard battery and fired.
The range was about 700 yards. Several
broadsides followed in quick succession,
rakinR US fore and aft. But the Kear-
sarge kept moving on her foe, never re-
plying. The men began TO murmur.
Fearing that another broadside might
hurt US, Capt. Winslowyveered his ship,
presenter the stArboard battery and
shouted: Cali the divisiOnsl Aim low
for the water line and fire As rapidly as
possibep
AS each ship fought her starboard
battery each headed In an opposite d.
rection to the other, and to avoid pass
ing entirely out OF range each was COM
peiled to move In circle. Thus seven
complete circles were traversed, while
each maintained furious cannonade.
The Kearsarge was struck by twenty
eight shots, the most effective being q
she'll from a 100 FOUNDER "Blakely" that
struck the star-boArd quarter In the
midst OF the fight. The blow was ter
rife one, and shook the ship from stem
to stem. The enemy was moro unfor-
tunate. Early in the action shot
passed through his bulwarks and II
looked as though he was cut down near
ly to the water line.
Mr.. Wilson, who commanded the Ala
bama's forward pivot division, reported
a eleven-inch shell burst over his gun,
putting fifteen out of nineteen men horS
de combat Another shot exploded In
the Alabama's coal bunkers, half bury
ing the fremen, smothering the fires,
and creating general CONSERVATION.
The enemy's shot came thick and fast,
but mostly fell short or passed over us.
At last a gun OF the Alabama seemed
to be silenced, and she settled precep-
tibly by the stern. A moment later she
spread her head sails and fore trisail
sheets and turned her prov away from
the Kearsarge and made for the coast
of France, where she would be safe.
Her flag temporarily disappeared, but
was seen again soon, though her fire
slackened. The Kearsarge now steamed
across the enemy's bows, the 11-inch
Dahlgrens, the 32-pounders, and the
howitzers belchlng forth their sulphur
Gus fire. The 11-inch she'll and smaller
shot riddled the Alabama through and
through. Great gaps that no plugs
could fill opened in her side, and the
salt brine of the English Channel
poured in.
She continued to settle, and as the
Kearsarge lay across her bow, prepar-
ing to rake her again at closer range,
her colors came down by the run. She
was now silent, and now In apparent
distress. AS the battle clouds lifted
there could be seen the unm'stakaole
sign of surrender floating over her stern.
Some one shouted, "She shows the
white feather! There's the white flag.
And then our whole crew yelled, "She's
surrendered"
But their shouts Of triumph changed
To oAths of anger as the Alabama wore
round and fired two more shots. One
more broadslde sealed her fate; her bow
rose high in air, as II preparing for q
suscidal plunge, and then the greeteSt
curse to which any commerce had ever
been subjected was engulfed, in the IN
| compassionate sea.