The Washington herald., 1914-06-19

crate commerce destroyer Alabama, the
most celebrated sea rover of modern
times. was sunk of Cherbourg. by the
u. s. S. Kearsarge, in a battle to which
the Alabama.s commander. Capt.
Raphael Semmes, had challenged the
commander of the Federal ship. Capt.
John N. winslow.
This engagement, spectacular in its
setting-for IL was fought on a sunny,
Sabbath morning. and witnessed by
thousands assembled on the. French
coast-so fulfilled the ideals of sailors
of its time that Admiral Farpagut said
of IT: Il would sooner have fought that
fight than any ever fought on the
ocean"
The Alabama had arrived at Cher
bourg from the Far East on June II.
The Kearsarge. which had been watch
ing for the Alabama year In Euro
pean waters, arrived on the port June
"a. Learning of her presence. Capt.
Semmes had addressed a note to the
Confederate consular agent at Cher
bourg, saying he hoped the Kearsarge
would not leave the vicinity. as he In
tended to fight her as soon as he could
prepare his ship for battle. When Capt
winslow received a copy of this note.
through the United States consular
agent. he had replied that he had no
intention of leaving
The Kearsarge had cruised back and
forth of the port, watching alertly,
while the Alabama took coal and pre-
pared her guns and ammunition for
action. On the night of June Is all
was ready, SO far as the means at hand
permitted. The ship. from long cruis-
ing. was not in good condition. either
in hull or machinery. She was slight
Iy smaller and more lightly built and
armed than the Kearsarge, which car.
ried seven guns. Her battery of eight
guns was of English make and was
superior in range and rapidity OF fre,
though IT threw less metal by about
20 per cent "a detailed description Of
the two ships and their batteries was
given in this series June H.
The officers and men Of the Alabama
believed that whatever superiority the
Federal ship possessed in size and
weight of guns would be more than
offset by their own prowess in the fight
that they had courted: but their ships
ammunition was known to be defect
i've from age and long cruising in diff
ferent climates, while the crew lacked
training in gunnery. Therefore, the
officers of the Alabama took sailors
chance of glory or the grave with the
odds against them.
Sopt. Se""es ~ TIE SFS"s
As the church bells of Cherbourg were
sounding sweetly in the warm morning
air and the people were walking to
church or setting out for holiday, clad
in their best the Alabama steamed out
of the harbor at about 10 o'clock on
June 49, She was accompanied by the
French warship Couronne, whose busi-
ness II was to see that the battle did
not begin within the marine league OF
neutral water next the land.
As the ship left port Capt. Semmes
caused the crew to be assembled. and
mounting a gun carriage addressed them.
Reminding that this was their first
chance of battle since they had sunk the
L. S. S. Hatteras Ia light gunboat de-
stroyed by the Alabama of Galveston
January II, 1863, and that in the mean
time they had DESTROYED or driven to
neutral flags half the enemy's commerce.
he continued: t
The name of your ship has become
household word wherever civilization
extends. Shall that name be tarnished
by defeat?'
Deep cries of 'sNeverr' ''Neverw inter-
rupted the speaker, and he followed them
with the words: THE thing is impos-
sible-'
He then spoke words intended to fire
the heart of the Englishmen before him:
Remember that you are In the Eng
lish Channel. the theater of SO much Of
the naval glory of our race, and that
the eyes of all Europe are at this mo-
ment upon you-'
With these words ringing in their ears
the crew of the Alabama took their sta
tions for battle, as the ship steamed out
past the Cherbourg breakwater.
The Kearsarse Waiting.
Three miles off the east entrance of
the harbor lay the Kearsarge. Her decks
had been freshly holystoned and were
as clean as new pine. Brass and guns
had been polished, the crew were in their
Sunday best. and were assembling for
divine service. when. at 1920. the officer
of the deck discerned a steamer coming
out of Cherbourg. In few minutes the
cry passed from man to man, THE Ala
bama.'
Instantly the drum beat to quarters.
The crew quickly took their stations.
The prayer book and the fiag-draped
altar were thrust aside. and seizing his
trumpet, Capt Winslow ordered the ship
about. and headed seaward. His plan of
battle had been matured. He seemed to
fee from the enemy, in order to draw
him far enough from land to leave him
no chance, in, case of defeat. of escaping
inside the marine league.
After steaming thirty minutes the
kearsarge turned, and steamed back to-
ward the Alabama. which had followed
her. When the ships were 1,s00 yards