New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-10-22
How Alabama of Was the Keaarge

that their ships were absolutely locked M
in port, and neutrais we're doing all the
carrying trade. Having thus virtually
cleared tho sea OF the United states flag.
we ran Down to Singapore, ccaled ship, and
then turned westward through the strait
Of Malacca. across 10 India. thence to the
east coast % Africa. Passing through the
Mozambique Channel. We again touched at
the Cape Of Good Hope. and thence across
10 the coast II Brazil"
BY this time the beautiful craft was be-
ginning to show the effects Of her strenu-
Gus service. Having captured siXty-siN
vessels. the larger proportion Of which had
been burned. she now turned toward the
English Channel in the hope of fndins a
harbor where she could make repairs. Her
boilers were burned out. her machinery
worn, her joints loose. her seams In need
of calkIng and the copper on her bottom
was lin rolls ON June II. 1854. she on
tered the harbor If Cherbourg. France.
I'm the hope Of receiving the privilege Of
using the national docks located there.
on the day that the Alabama entered
Cherbourg harbor war vessel flying the
United States flag lay in the mouth Of the
Scheldt near Flushing. Holland. where the
pilots OF the Antwerp steamers now arc
put aboard and taken off. It was the
KearSarge Captain John \. Ninslow The
following day. which was sunday, the
cornet appeared Unexpectedly at the fore.
gun was fired a signal that all OH shore
leave must come aboard. Steam was
raised, and the anchor weighed. All hands
were called. Captain Winsow communi-
Gated the news that the Alabama had en-
tered Cherbourg harbor The kearsarSe
was on the way to capture or sink her.
shout went up from the crew.
on Tuesday the Kearsarse appeared of
Cherbourg. and all hands looked over the
fail at the Confederate nag flying beyond
the breakwater within the harbor and the
daring rover which had been terrorizing
American commerce for upward Of two
years. All acknowledged the beautiful lines
Of the famous vessel. Boats went ashore
and II was learned that Captain Semmes
had written note 10 the representatives
Of the Confederacy at Cherbourg In which
he intimated that he would be glad TO have
an opportunity to meet the kearsarge in
battle. Captain Winslow returned reply
through the circuitous channels which war
fare imposes upon communication between
| foes that not only would he remain whore
Captain Semmes could find him, but that
hs sole purpose in coming to Cherbourg
was that OF meeting him.
The two vessels We're very evenly
matched In most particulars. The Kear-
sarge was twelve feet longer over all, be-
/ ing go feet long. but shorter on the water
| lire. while her beam was one foot greater.
or 20 feet. Her depth was six inches less
! that is 10 say. l6ls feet-than that OF the
| Alabama, but her engines We're each more
powerful by lOo-horscpower. The tonnage
Of the Alabama was l0l6, while that of the
| Kearsarge was l,0Sl. The battery OF the
Kearsarge consisted Of seven guns, but
only five throwing $50 pounds were used.
The Alabamas contained eight of which
seven throwing 52s pounds We're fought.
The crew OF the kearsargc numbered l63
That OF the Alabama was approximately
1850 About a year before, following the
suggestion Of Lieutenant Commander
Thornton ~ the kearsarge. the spare an
Choir chains had been suspended over the
sides Of tho ship on either side Of the
yitsls where 4 ship Was ordinarily pro
tected by coal bunkers The chains Ners
covered vith one-inch deal boards This
was the chief point Of superiority NJ the