Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1894-02-15
Vle Kearsarge wrecked.

line UnlJeu 0bRt0B hIealhoE AohE-
sarge, the Oldest vessel on the active
Iist Of the navy and the ship which
won renown in the rebellion for her
gallant victory over the rebel cruiser
Alabama, is q wreck on RonCadore
reef, Central America, having gone
on the rocks last Friday.
Lieutenant Bralnsrd, who managed
in some way to reach Colon Saturday,
In o cable message this morning an
nounced to the Navy department the
fact Of the wreck and reported that
officers and crew we're all saved.
The Kearsargs sailed from Port au
Prince, Hayti, January 80, for Blue
fields, Nicaragua, to protect American
interests there in view Of the invasion
of the military forces Of Honduras,
She was wrecked three days out.
Roncadore reef is q dangerous I'M
pediment 10 navigation, little over
200 miles from the Mosquito coast Of
Central America. Between the coast
and the reef lies old Providence is-
land, only seventy-fve or eighty miles
to leeward OF the reef.
In history the name Of the Kear-
sarge will stand out chiefly in the
conflict with the Alabama. This mo-
table fight occurred Sunday morning,
June IS, 1854 Early in June, says the
Kansas City Star. in reviewing the
battle, while anchored OIL Flushing,
Captain John A. Winslow,
commander Of the Kearsarge, recei-
we'd word from Minister Dayton IN
Paris that the Confederate cruiser
the terror Of United States
commerce, had anchored of Cher
bourg, France, Commander Win
slow Immediately steamed to Cher
Oourg, anchoing near Che breakwater
de paid an official visit on shore and
there received through Mr.. Lials, the
United States commercial agent, @
challenge to q fight which Admiral r.
Semmes Of the Alabama had sent
70 Mr.. Bin6ls, the Confederate com
nercial agent. Captain Winslow &C.
,spted the challenge, and for several
lays Cruised to and fro near the
oreakwater waiting for the Confeder-
ite vessel.
Sunday morning, June 10, at 1880
he Alabama was sighted. The Kear-
large had been placed in Sunday at
ire. The marines we're in best garb,
he guns were polished and the decks
1ad been scrubbed. The vessel was
IMMEDIATELY cleared for action, and
Commander Winslow steamed further
,ut to sea that he might not violate
he law Of Nations and sufficiently
lar to prevent the Alabama from en-
,ering neutral waters The Alabama
was escorted BY the French ironclad
Churonne, which soon after steLmed
oack To- hsrbourg. This Deerhound, q
small rugged steamer, flying the flag
II the Royal Mersey Yacht club, was
also with the Alabama. When be-
iween six and seven miles from the
shorethe Kearsarge, thoroughly ready,
at q distance Of one and
quarter miles from the. Alabama.
The latter sheered and a moment
later cent q broadside &C the Kesr-
sarge, which fell short. The Kear-
sarge put on increased speed and ad-
yanCed rapidly, receiving q second
and third broadside from the Confed-
crate vessel. The object 81 the latter
was to fight at long range.
When within 800 yards the Kear-
sarge rokesilsnce with her starboard
battery. Each ship was now under q
full head Of steam, the position being
and travelling in a circular
track. The Alabams changed from
shot to shell. A shot from the Kear-
sarge carried away the spanker gaff
and down came the ensigus while the
marines on the United States war
ship cheered Justify. Ktwas deemed
o favorable omens The battle was
now hot and the Alabama was firing
both shot and shell rapidly and wildly
while the Kearsayge was dropping