The Washington times., 1905-12-25
NEW COMMANDER
FOR KEARSARGE
Captain WinSIOw Relieves
Captain Rodgers.
FATHER DEFEATED ALABAMA
Officer Relieved From Sea Duty
Will Be Stationed In
Washington.

PHILADELPHIA. Dec. 25-With ex-
erGses prescribed in the naval manual,
the command of the battleship Kear-
sarge now stationed at the League. ISL
and Navy Yard has been transferred
from Capt Raymond P. Rodgers to
Capt Herbert WinslOw. Captain Rodg-
ers- has been ordered to Washing
ton for shore duty. his two-year term
OF sea service having expired.
The transferal ceremonies took place
Saturday morning i'm the presence of Of
f1cers and men, who were mustered on
the after deck. Captain Rodgers read
aloud the orders detaching him from
tho ship. and Captain Winslow followed
with. his Instructions to take command.
Captain Rodgers then made short,
touching speech. in which he bade the
men good-by, and praised their conduct
during the time they served under him.
That he was a popular officer was evil
dent from the sorrowful faces of the
men. who crowded around him to shake
his hand as he went over the side of
the ship Before leaving. Captain
Rodgers escorted his successor over the
vessel and the men went through the
fire, collision. and abandon-ship drills.
Cherished Desire.
sarge, Captain winslow has accom-
plished a desire that he has entertain
ed since the ship was launched. He
is a son of Rear Admiral John Ancum
Winslow. who commanded the sloop
Of war Kearsarge during the civil war,
and who won fame by sinking the Con-
federate commerce destroyer Alabama,
after an hours battle off the coast of
France.
This was one of the most thrilling
sea battles fought up TO that time.
and it made the word Kearsarge IA
NOUS the world over. The Alabama
was -the greatest of Confederate Com
merce destroyers She had captured six
ty-eight Federal vessels and had sunk
one man Of war. She had been sought
in vain by twenty-five of Uncle Sans
warships and her pusuit had cost more
than s7.OO0.ooo.
Besides this. there was personal
interest in the encounter; the Ala
hama's captain had been a shipmate,
messmate third roommate of Win
slows during a previous war, and his
dsripg. skill and bravery then had
made Finn a hero. WinsIow knew the
Character OF his opponent and prepared
carefully for the fray.
Sunday Battle.
II vas on sunday morning The
people Knowing of the Impending bat
to-. had gone out in boats to witness
it, The battle began shortly after 10
o'clock, and Before II the Alabama's
stern went under, her bow rose high
in the air. her riddled main mast broke
and fell over her side. and she quickly
slid beneath the waves
sFor Admiral Winslow's skill and gall
hatry in this action he received vote
OF thanks from Congress. When the
present Kearsarge was launched In
1866. Captain Winslowss wife acted as
eodmother and a flag that was used
during the engagement between the old
Kearsarge and Alabama iiew from the
staff head. 1t was these events that
caused Captain Winslow TO desire the
command OF the new Kear>srse and II
was special mark OF honor from the
Navy. Department that he was appoint
cd He formerly commanded the new
scout cruiser Charleston, now at Hamp-
ton Reads
Wears Fathers Watch.
The captain wears heavy gold
watch which was once the property Of
his father. II was presented to the ad-
miral by the citizens OF Philadelphia in
recognition Of his gallant services in
the civil war.
Captain winsiow is one OF five sons
Of Admi-aaii H.zinsIow. Two CO tiI-m fol-
lowed IN the footsteps OF their father
and entered the navy, Herbert in the
line. and William Randolph a pay
master. Captain winslow is the only
survivor Of the family.
He entered the Naval Academy from
the State OF Massachusetts, on July =.
1855, and was graduated in 1859. In
N7e he was commissioned a lieutenant
and IN 1895 a lieutenant commander 4
few years later he was raised to com
mar nde-.
The kearsarge will leave League Is