The Washington herald., 1914-06-23
THE WAR DAY BY DAY
Fifty Years Ago.
June g. 1S64A Subscription Was Started United Service
Club London for the Purpose of Buying Sword for
Senmes N, Replace that Lost h. Battle
bama and the Kear,arge.

Fifty years ago today a subscription
Club at London for the purpose OF buy
ing a sword for Capt Raphael semmes
c. S. N. to replace that lost in the battle
between the Alabama and the Kearsarge
of Cherbourg. on June 19
This action by one OF the leading
naval clubs OF the world was typical oi
England's reception of Capt. Semmes
and the other survivors of the Alabama
crew that had been landed on English
soil by the steam yacht Deerhound.
With England's proverbial love of a
sailor, the challenge of Capt. Semmes ro
ship Of superior strength. which he
was under no obligation TO meet IN
battle. his gallant fighting of his ship
and the circumstances of his escape on
the English yacht Deerhound. appealed
strongly to the popular imagination.
The fact that the Alabama was an
English ship. manned chiefly by Eng
lish sailors, and that she had made the
most striking cruise in modern times.
was also a determining factor in Eng
lish enthusiasm for Capt. Semmes. The
swift defeat met by the Alabama was
excused by the statement that the Kear-
sarge was an armored ship the boilers
were protected by chains hung over the
side) and that Capt Semmes had gone
into the fight without knowing of the
advantage thus given his opponent
Thus, while the conveyance of Capt
Semmes and forty-one of his shipmates,
including ten other officers. to England
by the Deerhound was being condemned
by the American Minister at London as
contrary to international law. the British
press and public were lionizing the Con-
federate officers.
The details of their rescues and many
statements concerning it that had no
foundation in fact. We're published in
the British newspapers. Mr.. John Ian
caster, OF Hindley Hall: wiEan Ian
caster owner Of the yacht Deerhound.
found himself the subject of unpleasant
notorety. While commended on the
whole by the press and public. he was
denounced by sections Of both. as n
meddler, or a plotter. who had precipi-
tated serious situation in the relations
of Great Britain and the United States.
II was even charged that he had used
his yacht as a consort to the Alabama
and was on the scene OF battle by pre-
arrangement. This charge. though base
less, and others hostile TO himself. led
Mr.. Lancaster to make a spirited de-
dence of survivors of the battle, served
to establish the facts concerning the
rescues made by the Deerhound.
Deerhound Asked to Aid.
The Deerhound. which had been cruis-
ing to the Channel Islands. arrived at
Cherbourg June IL. and was Joined there
by the owner and his family. consisting
Of Mrs. Lancaster. a niece and four
children. two OF them boys, at 10 p. m
June Is No communication had been
held with the Alabama. which was in
the harbor. Mr.. Lancaster was not ac-
luainted with Capt -Semmes or with any
of his officers.
The next morning. Sunday, June 10, IL
was noted on the Deerhound that the
Alabama was getting up steam. The cap
.ain Of the yacht had heard in the port
that the Alabama had CHALLENGED ul
United States ship then outside to battle.
He had seen the Alabama's crew drilling,
md believed the report was true.
The question now arose as to whether
he Deerhound should go out to- witness
he Tight Some members of Mr.. Lam
;aster's family thought they should re-
main in port and go to church. The boys
we're eager to go out.
The family took vote as to whether
he yacht should remain in port or 90 /
'ut and see the battle. A deciding vote
vas cast by Miss Catherine Lancaster,
he niece. 1t was for going out.
The yacht followed the Alabama out of /
he harbor and at the beginning Of the
'attle took a position somewhat more
han mile from the combatants This
istance was maintained until the lighting
eased. when the Deerhound bore down
D the Kearsarge.
The Federal-ship was stopped about
% yards from the Alabama Seeing
nat none Of her boats had been lowered,
tr. Lancaster thought the Kearsarge in
istress. and steering near her starboard
uarter hailed the deck. asking II she
eeded assistance. Capt winslow replied,
No, but for Gods sake. do what you
an to save them" meaning the men
about near the Alabama
The yacht Immediately steamed toward
le Alabama, and when about 900 yards ,
ON her the Alabama went down
The yacht steamed among the wreck
ye and struggling survivors, and low I,
ed two boats. BY that time two boats
I'd been lowered from the Kearsarge-Is :
that remained serviceable. These +
ur boats and two from the Alabama, :
ith two French pilot boats, began the
ork OF rescue.
Rescue of Capt. semmes. !
A sailor in one Of the Deerhound's
ats saw, Capt. semmes In the water. q
pit up by a. nfs-preserver. and recoS-s