Omaha daily bee., 1894-02-11
REJoICINo OvER THE VICTORY.

REJOICING OVER THE VICTORY.
There was great rejoicing over the de-
struction Of the Alabama, for the CON
federate vessel had inflicted losses, accord
ing to claims for damages filed TO october,
1871, amounting to over $6,5OO,OOO The
depredations OF this vessel ana ten otners
gave rise to the Alabama claims case, which
was finally settled by the tribunal OF arbitra-
tion at Geneva In May, 1871, when awarded
SIS. 500, 900 in damages for actual losses OF
ships and cargoes and interest on account
Of five confederate cruisers. Captain Win
slow received every possible honor FOR his
gallant victory.
The old stern post Of the Kearsarge, con
tanning a shell imbedded in 1t, now rests in
the ordnance museum at the washington
navy yard. When the boat was repaired at
Boston a shell was found boxed In where 1t
had remained for months. The kearsarge
was not much damaged In the engagement.
It's battery then consisted of seven guns,
two eleven-inch piyots, one twenty-eight
pound rifle and four light thirty-two
Founders. The Alabama had eight guns.
Both ships made thirteen knots an hour
when under full head of steam; during the
battle the Alabama made ten knots.
SAVED THE NANTUCKET.
During a cruise along the southern coast
in August, 1898. the Kearsarge had the OLD
monitor Nantucket In tow for Fortress Mon
roe. A terrible cyclone struck both war
ships, and at the time grave apprehension
were felt for the fate OF the vessels uhtli
Commodore Crowninshield, then In command
OF the Kearsarge, telegraphed the safe ar
rival at Fortress Monroe OF both SHIPS.
During the storm the towlines parted, but
the Kearsarge overlook the old Nantucket
and saved her from laundering.
In November, 1898, Commander Crownln-
shield was detached from the kearsarge
and Commander o. ]. Hayeman appointed
in his place. She fitted out in New YORK
in November last for a cruise to South
America and ports in the west lndles TO
protect the interests of the United States
in that section.
The Kearsarge was a third class cruiser
of 1850 tons displacement. Her engines
were of SAB indicated horse power and she
mounted seven guns in her main battery.
She was attached to the north Atlantic
squadron. She was built at Portsmouth
navy yard in 1862. Her crew then consisted
OF $50 men. 1t was the good or ill fortune
Of the Kearsarge to be one of the best
cruisers in the navy, and that, too, in spite
of the fact that she was more than 80 years
old and, of course. q wooden hull. Her eX-
cellence as a cruiser has kept her busy for
four years past on the home station, which
duty includes the patroling of West Indian
waters, and for much of the time she has
been within the tropics.
The Kearsarge was the flagship of the
North Atlantic station, to the OF
which Acting Rear Admiral Stanton, who
was detached from the command OF the
South Atlantic station for saluting Admiral
Mello in Rio harbor, was assigned. He re-
Gently Joined the old ship at Port-au-Prince
and hoisted his flag on her. During the last
week in January information was received
at the State department that Honduras was
invading Nicaragua and after a consultation
between Secretary Gresham and Secretary
Herbert it was decided to send. the Kear-
sarge to Blueields to protect the Nicaragua
canal interests there. Accordingly the YES
sci sailed from Port-au-Prince on January
80 and met her fate three days later.