The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1894-02-09

n' :" 70 WY 'tfPsNAei! yo" o'''''"'
servant, X. sgMMRs,
Captain.
Preparations were made for battle,
with no relaxation Of the watch. Thurs
day passed, Friday came. The kearsargc
waited with ports down, guns piyotei 10
starboard. the whole battery loaded, and
shell, grape and canister ready TO
use in any mole of attack or de-
fense; yet no Alabama appeared.
At a supper in Cherbourg. Saturday night,
several officers of the Alabama moi SYM
pathlziug friends, the coming battle being
the chef topic OF conversation. Confident
OF victory, they proclaimed the intent 10
sink the federal or gain "Corsair."
Sunday, the 18Th, came, a fine day, atmos-
phere somewhat hazy, little sea, light
westerly wad. At ~ O'Clock the kear-
sarge was near ,lie buoy marking the iinc
OF shoals 10 the eastward OF Cherbourg, at
a distance Of about three miles from tho
entrance.
The decks had been hollystoned. the
bright work cleaned, the guns polished
aud the crew dressed in their Sunday
suits. They were inspected at quarters
and dismissed To attend divine service.
At 1870 o'clock the officer OF the deck re-
ported a steamer approaching from Cher
bourg. That was u frequent occurrence
and consequently il created no surprise.
The bell was tolling for service whom some
one shouted: "She's coming, and head-
ing straight for u.s." Soon, by the all OF
a glass, tho officer of the deck made out
the enemy and shouted The Alabama"
and. calling down the ward room hatch,
repeated. "The Alabama" Tho drum
beat to general quarters; Captain Wins
low put aside the prayer book, seized tho
trumpet, ordered the ship about and
| headed seaward.
| The ship was cleared for action, with
the battery plyoted TO starboard. The Al
ALBANIA approached from :hc western en-
trance. escorted by the French ronclad
frigate, Couronne, lying the pcnnant OF
| the commaudant of the port, followed IN
her wake by n small fore-and-aft rlgged
steamer. the Deer Hound, flying the flag
of the Royal Mersey Yacht club. The
commander of the frigatc had informed
Captain Scmmes that his ship would es-
cort him to the limit OF the French waters.
The frlgate, having conveyed the Ala
bama three marine miles from the coast.
put down her helm and steamed back TO
port without delay. Tho steam yacht
continued on and remained at the scene
of action. Captain Wnslow had assured
the French admiral that in the event OF an
engagement tho position of the ship
should be far enough from shore TO pre-
vent violating OF the law of nations.
To avoid question OF jurisdiction and
avert an escape To neutral waters In case
OF retreat. the hearsarge steamed 10 sea,
followed 10y the enemy, giving the appear.
anc- OF running away. Between SIX a9d
seven miles from the shore, ,tae hearsArge,
thoroughly ready. at 10 30 o'eiock,wheeied
at distance oi ~ miles ifom Der OPP
ponent, presented The starboard battery
ana steerci directly Tor her, wiih 'he de-
sign oil closing or ot running her down.
More speed was ordered, the hearsarse
advanced rapidly and at lo:51 received a
broadsldc OF solid sho, AT range oil about
1870 yards. This broadslde cut away a
little OF the rigging but the shot mostly
passed over or ieii short.
The kearsarSe advanced with increased
speed, receiving second aud part OF a
third broadslde, with similar effect. Cap
tain Winslow wished TO get at short range,
as tue guns were loaded with hve-second
shell. Arriving within 800 yards, the
Kcarsarcc. fearing fourth hroadside and
apprehensiye OF raking, shecred
and broke her silence with the
s;arboard battery. Each ship
was now pressed under full head OF
steam. the position being broadside, both
employing the starboard guns. Captain
Winslow, fearful that the enemy would
make for the shore, determined with a
port helm 20 run under tie Alabama
stern for raking but was prevented by her
sheering and keeping her broadside TO tic
Kcarsargc, which forced the fighting on a
circular tracS, each snip, with strong
port helm, steaming around common
center and pouring its fire into its op
ponent at a quarter to half a milo away.
The action was now fairly begun. Tho
Alabama changed from solid shot 10 shell
A shot from an early broadside Of th6
kearsarge carried away the spauker gli
of the enemy. caused his ensign to com,
down by the run. This incident was re
garded as a favorable omen by the mel
who chcercd and went with increased con
iidence To their work. The fallen ensisl
reappcarcl at the mizLcn. The Alabam;
returned 10 solid shot and soon after lircI
both shot and she'll 10 the end. The ilrin.