Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-02-09
FRIDAY. FEBRUARY 9. 1894.
The KearsarKe Wrecked.

The wreck ofthe old corvette kearsarge
on Roncader Reef en- route from Port au
Prince. Haiti. TO Blueeld. Nicaragua.
subjects our navy to the loss Of vessel
more valued for historic associations than
for adaptabiIty TO the present needs OF the
service
1t was the Kearsarge. Captain Winslow.
which sank the Confederate cruiser Ala
bama OFF Cherbourg. France. In June.
1854; Il was this which made her famous,
for the Alabama mad done great damage
10 the Urited States shipping.
The Alabama was built by the Messrs.
Laird at Blrkenhead. near Liverpool. and
cost 1850. and was first known as NO.
90" Her commander was Captain
Raphael semmes. Her best speed was
IL Ia knots an hour under sail and steam
combined. ard she carried eight guns.
She made her debut In the spring OF
1862 among the American whaling feet
around the Western Islands. Next she
appeared on the Newfoundland Banks, and
there took many rich prizes.
In June. 1863. the Alabama met the
Federal gunboat Hatteras in the Gulf OF
Mexico. and sank her. Her voyages were
a continued round of successes until she
met the Kearsarge. which had been de-
tailed TO follow her UP. The Alabama
came out of the harbOr Of Cherbourg TO
meet the Kearsarge in neutral waters.
and the two vessels fought their famous
battle on Sunday. June 49, 1854, and thou
sands of people gathered on the southern
heights overlooking the British Channel
TO witness the combat. From the start
the Kearsarge had the advantage. She
was the faster ship. and her seven guns
threw at broadside 400 pounds CT shot
10 $50 pounds thrown by The eight guns
OF the Alabama. Moreover. her hull
was protected by heavy chains hnng up
and down her sides.
After the firing had continued one hour
ard ten minutes the Alabama was found
TO be In a sinking condition, and Captain
Semmes resolved to beach her on the
French coast. but water rushed in so
rapidly that he was forced to alter his
determination and haul 1owr' hts colors.
Captain Semmes solemnly declared that
he was fired upon five times after he
had struck his colors nor was any help
sent from the Kearsargc 10 the men OF
the sinking ship until after the Alabama
went down. but British gentlemans
private yacht--the Deerhound-came up
and rendered very effective service.
Semmes was on board OF the Deerhound
when the FIRST of The boats from the
Kearsarge came up. The Ahbsma's loss
was killed and Il wounded and 10
drowned out of a crew OF 1i9. Only 3
man were wounded on the <earsarge, one
OF whom died.
Captain Semmes and those OF his off,
GERS ard men who were lucky enough 10
get on the Deerhound escaped being made
prisoners. and were carried to South
ampton.
Thus the Kearsarge became famous, and
Winslow got 10 be considered hero. and
had honors crowded upon him thick and
fast.
Soon after the close of the war the
United States Government demanded Of
England reparation for allowing the Con-
federates to have the Alabama and other
cruisers built In her territory. and the
Geneva international tribunal. to whom
the matter was referred, found damages
In favor OF the United States TO the
amount OF $l5.0O0.O 900. Actual damages only
were considered. consequential damages
and they were enormous-were ignored.