Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1906-05-05
The "AIabnmn" in Action.

cago Inter Ocean.
The "AIabnma" in Action.
From an account Of Life on the
confederate Vessel Alabama" hy one
OF her sailors, in the Century, we duo+g
/ the following I'VE got everything shin
shape and left Cherbourg for our last
cruise on bright Sunday morning.
June ~ We were escorted bv n
French armored vessel and when we
got outside we could see the armored
vessel kearSarge awaiting us about
four miles away. Captain SemmcS
made us a short speech, which was
well received, though It seemed ode TO
ne that an American should appeal 10
an EugliShman's love of glory To ami
mate him 10 fight the speakers own
countrymen. But we cheered and the
French ship leaving us. we steamed
straight for the Kearsargc. There is
no doubt that SemmeS was fiurriea and
commenced firing too soon. We were.
should say, nearly a mile away. and
do not think single shot told. The
enemy circled around us and did not
return our fire until within seven or
eight hundred yards and then she let
us have ii. The first shot that struck
us made the ship reel ana shake all
over. | was serving on one of the
thirty -two-poundcrS and my Sponger
was an old man -o-War's man, who re
marked, after look out of the port,
We might as we'll fire butter paddens
as these pop-guns; few more bins
like that last and we may turn turtle.
He had scarcely spoken when shell
burst under our pivot gun. fitting il
out of range and killing five of the
crew. What is wrong with the rifle
gum was asked. We don't seem to
he doing the enemy any harm,' while
the heavy shells of the Yankee one
missile that seemed as big as "A hay
stack whiZzed over our heads. taking
a section OF the port hulwarks away,
fortunately missing the man that was
handling shot He only remarked that
he believed the Yankee was firing
steam bilers' at us. Another shell
struck us amidships, causing the ship
to list to port SO that one of our guns
weighing three tons raced in. pinnng
one poor fellow against the port sill
He died before we could get him clear
This was the missile that sunk the Ala
bama. She's going down" was the
| cry. and all was confusion Another
| shell struck above the water line. and
| the vessel reeled Ike drunken man
| The dead ana wounded were lying
| about the deck, which was red with
| blood. Our officers did their duty ant
the men at once began to get up ia,
wounded. The cutter and launch wer,
| in the water and the officers were try
| ing to keep the men back until tn
wounded were all in; but certainl.
eral of them on the berth deck when
| went below. and the boats were thel
full and pushing off. When IL was Ger
| tain that the ship was sinking all 0rde
in locker between decks and RAJ
below, but they were gone.
IAN hands on deck-shp's goln,
down. was called and had just go
on the upper step of the forward com
panion way when the water entering
the berth deck ports forced the air NJ
, and almost carried me of my legs.
cast my eyes around for moment
| Old Gill, with his head crushed under
the carriage of the eight-inch gun, wat
| lying there, his brawny hands clutch
ing the breast of his jumper Just a.
the water came over the stern | went
over the port bulwarSs. was n goot
swimmer and had not been in The
| water five minutes when Frencl
! pilot boat came running past, and q
brawny fellow in pctticoats and toI
boots dragged me out Of the water