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The duel between the “Alabama” and the “Kearsarge.”
by John M. Browne, Surgeon of the Kearsarge.
 |
Deck of a ship. |
On Sunday, the 12th of June, 1864, the
Kearsarge,
Captain John A. Winslow, was lying at anchor in the Scheldt, off
Flushing, Holland.
The cornet suddenly appeared at the fore, and a gun was fired.
These were unexpected signals that compelled absent officers and men to return to the ship.
Steam was raised, and as soon as we were off, and all hands called,
Captain Winslow gave the welcome news of a telegram from
Mr. Dayton, our minister to
France, announcing that the
Alabama had arrived the day previous at
Cherbourg; hence the urgency of departure, the probability of an encounter, and the expectation of her capture or destruction.
The crew responded with cheers.
The succeeding day witnessed the arrival of the
Kearsarge at
Dover for dispatches, and the day after (Tuesday) her appearance off
Cherbourg, where we saw the
Confederate flag flying within the breakwater.
As we approached, officers and men gathered in groups on deck, and looked intently at the “daring rover” that had been able for two years to escape numerous foes and to inflict immense damage on our commerce.
She was a beautiful specimen of naval architecture.
The surgeon went on shore and obtained
pratique (permission to visit the port) for boats.
Owing to the neutrality limitation, which would not allow us to remain in the harbor longer than twenty-four hours, it was inexpedient to enter the port.
We placed a vigilant watch by turns at each of the harbor entrances, and continued it to the moment of the engagement.
On Wednesday
Captain Winslow paid an official visit to the
French admiral commanding the maritime district, and to the
United States commercial agent, bringing on his return the unanticipated news that
Captain Semmes had declared his intention to fight.
At first the assertion was barely credited, the policy of the
Alabama being regarded as opposed to a conflict, and to escape rather than to be exposed to injury, perhaps destruction; but the doubters were half convinced when the so-called challenge was known to read as follows:
C. S. S.
Alabama, Cherbourg, June 14th, 1864.
To
A. Bonfils,
Esq.,
Cherbourg.
Sir: I hear that you were informed by the U. S. Consul that the
Kearsarge was to come to this port solely for the prisoners landed by me, and that she was to depart in twenty-four hours. I desire you to say to the U. S. Consul that my intention is to fight the
Kearsarge as soon as I can make the necessary arrangements.
I hope these will not detain me more than until to-morrow evening, or after the morrow morning at furthest.
I beg she will not depart before I am ready to go out.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
This communication was sent by
Mr. Bonfils, the
Confederate States Commercial Agent, to
Mr. Liais, the
United States Commercial Agent, with a request that the latter would furnish a copy to
Captain Winslow for his guidance.
There was no other challenge to combat.
The letter that passed between the commercial
agents was the challenge about which so much has been said.
Captain Semmes informed
Captain Winslow through
Mr. Bonfils of his intention to fight;
Captain Winslow informed
Captain Semmes through
Mr. Liais that he came to
Cherbourg to fight, and had no intention of leaving.
He made no other reply.
Captain Winslow assembled the officers and discussed the expected battle.
It was probable the two ships would engage on parallel lines, and the
Alabama would seek neutral waters in event of defeat; hence the necessity of beginning the action several miles from the breakwater.
It was determined not to surrender, but to fight until the last, and, if need be, to go down with colors flying.
Why
Captain Semmes should imperil his ship was not understood, since he would risk all and expose the cause of which he was a selected champion to a needless disaster, while the
Kearsarge, if taken or destroyed, could be replaced.
It was therefore concluded that he would fight because he thought he would be the victor.
Preparations were made for battle, with no relaxation of the watch.
Thursday passed; Friday came; the
Kearsarge waited with ports down, guns pivoted to starboard, the whole battery loaded, and shell, grape, and canister ready to use in any mode of attack or defense; yet no
Alabama appeared.
French pilots came on board and told of unusual arrangements made by the enemy, such as the hurried taking of coals, the transmission of valuable articles to the shore, such as captured chronometers, specie, and the bills of ransomed vessels and the sharpening of swords, cutlasses, and boarding-pikes.
It was reported that
Captain Semmes had been advised not to give battle; that he replied he would prove to the world that his ship was not a privateer, intended only for attack upon merchant vessels, but a true man-of-war; further, that he had consulted French officers, who all asserted that in his situation they would fight.
Certain newspapers declared that he ought to improve the opportunity afforded by the presence of the enemy to show that his ship was not a “corsair,” to prey upon defenseless merchantmen, but a real ship-of-war, able and willing to fight the “Federal” waiting outside the harbor.
It was said the
Alabama was swift, with a superior crew, and it was known that the ship, guns, and ammunition were of English make.
A surprise by night was suggested, and precautionary means were taken; everything was well planned and ready for action, but still no
Alabama came.
Meanwhile the
Kearsarge was cruising to and fro off the breakwater.
A message was brought from
Mr. Dayton, our minister to
Paris, by his son, who with difficulty had obtained permission
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from the
French admiral to visit the
Kearsarge.
Communication with either ship was prohibited, but the permission was given upon the promise of
Mr. Dayton to return on shore directly after the delivery of the message.
Mr. Dayton expressed the opinion that
Captain Semmes would not fight, though acknowledging the prevalence of a contrary belief in
Cherbourg.
He was told that, in the event of battle, if we were successful the colors would be displayed at the mizzen as the flag of victory.
He went on shore with the intention of leaving for
Paris without delay.
In taking leave
 |
The crew of the “Kearsarge” at quarters.
From a photograph. |
of the
French admiral the latter advised
Mr. Dayton to remain over night, and mentioned the fixed purpose of
Captain Semmes to fight on the following day, Sunday; and he gave the intelligence that there could be no further communication with the
Kearsarge.
Mr. Dayton passed a part of Saturday night trying to procure a boat to send off the acquired information, but the vigilance along the coast made his efforts useless.
He remained, witnessed the battle, telegraphed the result to
Paris, and was one of the first to go on board and offer congratulations.
At a supper in
Cherbourg on Saturday night, several officers of the
Alabama met sympathizing friends, the coming battle being the chief topic of conversation.
Confident of victory, they proclaimed the intent to sink the “Federal” or gain a “corsair.”
They rose with promises to meet the following night to repeat the festivity as victors, were escorted to the boat, and departed with cheers and best wishes for a successful return.
1
Sunday, the 19th, came; a fine day, atmosphere somewhat hazy, little sea, light westerly wind.
At 10 o'clock the
Kearsarge was near the buoy marking the line of shoals to the eastward of
Cherbourg, at a distance of about three miles from the entrance.
The decks had been holystoned, the bright work cleaned, the guns polished, and the crew were dressed in Sunday suits.
They were inspected at quarters and dismissed to attend divine service.
Seemingly no one thought of the enemy; so long awaited and not appearing, speculation as to her coming had nearly ceased.
At 10:20 the officer of the deck reported a steamer approaching from
Cherbourg,--a frequent occurrence, and consequently it created no surprise.
The bell was tolling for service when some one shouted, “She's coming, and heading straight for us!9 Soon, by the aid of a glass, the officer of the deck made out the enemy and shouted,” The
Alabama!
and calling down the ward-room hatch repeated the cry, “The
Alabama!”
The drum beat to general quarters;
Captain Winslow put aside the prayer-book, seized the trumpet, ordered the ship about, and headed seaward.
The ship was cleared for action, with the battery pivoted to starboard.
The
Alabama approached from the western entrance, escorted by the French iron-clad frigate
Couronne, flying the pennant of the commandant of the port, followed in her wake by a small fore-and-aft-rigged steamer, the
Deerhound, flying the flag of the
Royal Mersey Yacht
Club.
The commander of the frigate had informed
Captain Semmes that his ship would escort him to the limit of the
French waters.
The frigate, having convoyed the
Alabama three marine miles from the coast, put down her helm, and steamed back into port without delay.
The steam-yacht continued on, and remained near the scene of action.
Captain Winslow had assured the
French admiral that in the event of an engagement the position of the ship should be far enough from shore to prevent a violation of the law of nations.
To avoid a question of jurisdiction, and to avert an escape to neutral waters in case of retreat, the
Kearsarge steamed to sea, followed by the enemy, giving the appearance of running away and being pursued.
Between six and seven miles from the shore the
Kearsarge, thoroughly ready, at 10:50 wheeled, at a distance of one and a quarter miles from her opponent, presented the starboard battery, and steered direct for her, with the design of closing or of running her down.
The
Alabama sheered and presented her starboard battery.
More speed was ordered, the
Kearsarge advanced rapidly, and at 10: 57 received a broadside of solid shot at a range of about eighteen hundred yards. This broadside cut away a little of the rigging, but the shot mostly passed over or fell short.
It was apparent that
Captain Semmes intended to fight at long range.
The
Kearsarge advanced with increased speed, receiving a second and part of a third broadside, with similar effect.
Captain Winslow wished to get at short range, as the guns were loaded with five-second shell.
Arrived within nine hundred yards, the
Kearsarge, fearing a fourth broadside, and
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apprehensive of a raking, sheered and broke her silence with the starboard battery.
Each ship was now pressed under a full head of steam, the position being broadside, both employing the starboard guns.
Captain Winslow, fearful that the enemy would make for the shore, determined with a port helm to run under the
Alabama's stern for raking, but was prevented by her sheering and keeping her broadside to the
Kearsarge, which forced the fighting on a circular track, each ship, with a strong port helm, steaming around a common center, and pouring its fire into its opponent a quarter to half a mile away.
There was a current setting to westward three knots an hour.
The action was now fairly begun.
The
Alabama changed from solid shot to shell.
2 A shot from an early broadside of the
Kearsarge carried away the
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spanker-gaff of the enemy, and caused his ensign to come down by the run. This incident was regarded as a favorable omen by the men, who cheered and went with increased confidence to their work.
The fallen ensign reappeared at the mizzen.
The
Alabama returned to solid shot, and soon after fired both shot and shell to the end. The firing of the
Alabama was rapid and wild, getting better near the close; that of the
Kearsarge was deliberate, accurate, and almost from the beginning productive of dismay, destruction, and death.
3 The
Kearsarge gunners had been cautioned against firing without direct aim, and had been advised to point the heavy guns below rather than above the water-line, and to clear the deck of the enemy with the lighter ones.
Though subjected to an incessant storm of shot and shell, they kept their stations and obeyed instructions.
The effect upon the enemy was readily perceived, and nothing could restrain the enthusiasm of our men. Cheer succeeded cheer; caps were thrown in the air or overboard; jackets were discarded; sanguine of victory, the men were shouting, as each projectile took effect: “That is a good one!”
“Down, boys!”
“Give her another like the last!”
“Now we have her!”
and so on, cheering and shouting to the end.
After the
Kearsarge had been exposed to an uninterrupted cannonade for eighteen minutes, a 68-pounder
Blakely shell passed through the starboard bulwarks below the main rigging, exploded upon the quarter-deck, and wounded three of the crew of the after pivot-gun.
With these exceptions, not an officer or man received serious injury.
The three unfortunate men were speedily taken below, and so quietly was the act done that at the termination of the fight a large number of the men were unaware that any of their comrades were wounded.
Two shots entered the ports occupied by the thirty-twos, where several men were stationed, one
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taking effect in the hammock-netting, the other going through the opposite port, yet none were hit. A shell exploded in the hammock-netting and set the ship on fire; the alarm calling for fire-quarters was sounded, and men who had been detailed for such an emergency put out the fire, while the rest staid at the guns.
It is wonderful that so few casualties occurred on board the
Kearsarge, considering the number on the
Alabama--the former having fired 173 shot and shell, and the latter nearly double that number.
The
Kearsarge concentrated her fire, and poured in the 11-inch shells with deadly effect.
One penetrated the coal-bunker of the
Alabama, and a dense cloud of coal-dust arose.
Others struck near the water-line between the main and mizzen masts, exploded within board, or, passing through, burst beyond.
Crippled and torn, the
Alabama moved less quickly and began to settle by the stern, yet did not slacken her fire, but returned successive broadsides without disastrous result to us.
Captain Semmes witnessed the havoc made by the shells, especially by those of our after pivot-gun, and offered a reward to any one who would silence it. Soon his battery was turned upon this particular offending gun. It was in vain, for the work of destruction went on. We had completed the seventh rotation on the circular track and had begun the eighth, when the
Alabama, now settling, sought to escape by setting all available sail (fore-trysail and two jibs), left the circle amid a shower of shot and shell, and headed for the
French waters; but to no purpose.
In winding, the
Alabama presented the port battery, with only.
two guns bearing, and showed gaping sides, through which the water washed.
The
Kearsarge pursued,
 |
William Smith, quartermaster of the “Kearsarge” Ani Captain of the after pivot-gun, which it was said inflicted the most damage on the “Alabama,” from a photograph taken in 1864. |
keeping on a line nearer the shore, and with a few well-directed shots hastened the sinking.
Then the
Alabama was at our mercy.
Her colors were
 |
James R. Wheeler, Acting Master of the “Kearsarge,” in charge of the forward pivot-gun.
From a photograph of the officers taken in 1864. |
struck, and the
Kearsarge ceased firing.
I was told by our prisoners that two of the junior officers swore they would never surrender, and in a mutinous spirit rushed to the two port guns and opened fire upon the
Kearsarge.
[See page 610.]
Captain Winslow, amazed at this extraordinary conduct of an enemy who had hauled down his flag in token of surrender, exclaimed, “He is playing us a trick; give him another broadside.”
Again the shot and shell went crashing through her sides, and the
Alabama continued to settle by the stern.
The
Kearsarge was laid across her bows for raking, and in position to use grape and canister.
A white flag was then shown over the stern of the
Alabama and her ensign was half-masted, union down..
Captain Winslow for the second time gave orders to cease firing.
Thus ended the fight, after a duration of one hour and two minutes.
Captain Semmes, in his report, says: “Although we were now but four hundred yards from each other, the enemy fired upon me five times after my colors had been struck.
It is charitable to suppose that a ship-of-war of a Christian nation could not have done this intentionally.”
He is silent as to the renewal by the
Alabama of the fight after his surrender — an act which, in Christian warfare, would have justified the
Kearsarge in continuing the fire until the
Alabama had sunk beneath the waters.
Boats were now lowered from the
Alabama.
Her master's-mate,
Fullam, an Englishman, came alongside the
Kearsarge with a few of the wounded, reported the disabled and sinking condition of his ship, and asked for assistance.
Captain Winslow inquired, “Does
Captain Semmes surrender his ship?”
“Yes,” was the reply.
Fullam then solicited permission to return with his boat and crew to assist in rescuing the drowning, pledging his
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 |
The eleven-inch forward pivot-gun on the “Kearsarge,” in action. |
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word of honor that when this was done he would come on board and surrender.
Captain Winslow granted the request.
With less generosity he could have detained the officer and men, supplied their places in the boat from his ship's company, secured more prisoners, and afforded equal aid to the distressed.
The generosity was abused, as the sequel shows.
Fullam pulled to the midst of the drowning, rescued several officers, went to the yacht
Deerhound, and cast his boat adrift, leaving a number of men struggling in the water.
It was now seen that the
Alabama was settling fast.
The wounded, and the boys who could not swim, were sent away in the quarter-boats, the waist-boats having been destroyed.
Captain Semmes dropped his sword into the sea and jumped over-board with the remaining officers and men.
Coming under the stern of the
Kearsarge from the windward, the
Deerhound was hailed, and her commander requested by
Captain Winslow to run down and assist in picking up the men of the sinking ship.
Or, as her owner,
Mr. John Lancaster, reported: “The fact is, that when we passed the
Kearsarge the captain cried out, ‘For God's sake, do what you can to save them’ ; and that was my warrant for interfering in any way for the aid and succor of his enemies.”
The
Deerhound was built by the Lairds at the same time and in the same yard with the
Alabama.
Throughout the action she kept about a mile to the windward of the contestants.
After being hailed she steamed toward the
Alabama, which sank almost immediately after.
This was at 12:24. The
Alabama sank in forty-five fathoms of water, at a distance of about four and a half miles from the breakwater, off the west entrance.
She was severely hulled between the main and mizzen masts, and settled by the stern; the mainmast, pierced by a shot at the very last, broke off near the head and went over the side, the bow lifted high from the water, and then came the end. Suddenly assuming a perpendicular position, caused by the falling aft of the battery and stores, straight as a plumb-line, stern first, she went down, the jibboom being the last to appear above water.
Thus sank the terror of merchantmen, riddled through and through, and as she disappeared to her last resting-place there was no cheer; all was silent.
The yacht lowered her two boats, rescued
Captain Semmes (wounded in the hand by broken iron rigging),
First Lieutenant Kell, twelve officers, and twenty-six men, leaving the rest of the survivors to the two boats of the
Kearsarge.
Apparently aware that the forty persons he had rescued would be claimed,
Mr. Lancaster steamed away as fast as he could, direct for
Southampton, without waiting for such surgical assistance as the
Kearsarge might render.
Captain Winslow permitted the yacht to secure his prisoners, anticipating their subsequent surrender.
Again his confidence was misplaced, and he afterward wrote: “It was my mistake at the moment that I could not recognize an enemy who, under the garb of a friend, was affording assistance.”
The aid of the yacht, it is presumed, was asked in a spirit of chivalry, for the
Kearsarge, comparatively uninjured, with but three wounded, and a full head of steam, was in condition to engage a second enemy.
Instead of remaining at a distance of about four hundred yards from the
Alabama, and from this position sending two boats, the other boats being injured, the
Kearsarge by steaming close to the settling ship, and in the midst of the defeated, could have captured all —
Semmes, officers, and men.
Captain Semmes says: “There was no appearance of any boat coming to me from the enemy after the ship went down.
Fortunately, however, the steam-yacht
Deerhound, owned by a gentleman of
Lancashire, England,
Mr. John Lancaster, who was himself on board, steamed up in the midst of my drowning men, and rescued a number of both officers and men from the water.
I was fortunate enough myself thus to escape to the shelter of the neutral flag, together with about forty others, all told.
About this time the
Kearsarge sent one, and then, tardily, another boat.”
This imputation of inhumanity is contradicted by
Mr. Lancaster's assertion that he was requested to do what he could to save “the poor fellows who were struggling in the water for their lives.”
The
Deerhound edged to the leeward and steamed rapidly away.
An officer approached
Captain Winslow and reported the presence of
Captain Semmes and many officers on board the English yacht.
Believing the information authentic, as it was obtained from the prisoners, he suggested the expediency of firing a shot to bring her to, and asked permission.
Captain Winslow declined, saying “it was impossible; the yacht was simply coming round.”
Meanwhile the
Deerhound increased the distance from the
Kearsarge; another officer spoke to him in similar language, but with more positiveness.
Captain Winslow replied that no Englishman who carried the flag of the Royal Yacht Squadron could so act. The
Deerhound continued her flight, and yet another officer urged the necessity of firing a shot.
With undiminished confidence
Captain Winslow refused, saying the yacht was “simply coming round,” and would not go away without communicating.
The escape of the yacht and her coveted prize was manifestly regretted.
The famed
Alabama, “a formidable ship, the terror of American commerce, well armed, well manned, well handled,” was destroyed, “sent to the bottom in an hour,” but her commander had escaped; the victory seemed already lessened.
It was held by the Navy Department that
Captain Semmes violated the usages of war in surrendering to
Captain Winslow through the agency of one of his officers and then effecting an escape during the execution of the commission; that he was a prisoner of the United States Government from the moment he sent the officer to make the surrender.
4
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The wounded of the survivors were brought on board the
Kearsarge for surgical attendance.
Seventy men, including five officers (
Surgeon F. L. Galt,
acting paymaster,
Second Lieutenant J.
D. Wilson, First
Assistant-Engineer M. J. Freeman, Third
Assistant-Engineer Pundt, and
Boatswain McCloskey), were saved by the
Kearsarge's boats and a French pilot-boat.
Another pilot-boat saved
Second Lieutenant Armstrong and some men, who were landed at
Cherbourg.
Lieutenant Wilson was the only officer who delivered up his sword.
He refused to go on board the
Deerhound, and because of his honorable conduct
Captain Winslow on taking his parole gave him a letter of recommendation.
Our crew fraternized with their prisoners, and shared their clothes, supper, and grog with them.
The conduct of the
Alabama's
Assistant-Surgeon Llewellyn, son of a British rector, deserves mention.
He was unremitting in attention to the wounded during battle, and after the surrender superintended their removal to the boats, refusing to leave the ship while one remained.
This duty performed, being unable to swim, he attached two empty shell-boxes to his waist as a life-preserver and jumped overboard.
Nevertheless, he was unable to keep his head above water.
When the
Kearsarge was cleared for action every man on the sick-list went to his station.
The
Kearsarge had three wounded, of whom one died in the hospital a few days after the fight.
This was
William Gouin, ordinary seaman, whose behavior during and after battle was worthy of the highest praise.
Stationed at the after pivot-gun he was seriously wounded in the leg by the explosion of a shell; in agony, and exhausted from the loss of blood, he dragged himself to the forward hatch, concealing the severity of his injury, so that his comrades might not leave their stations for his assistance; fainting, he was lowered to the care of the surgeon, and when he revived he greeted the surgeon with a smile, saying, “
Doctor, I can fight no more, and so come to you, but it is all right; I am satisfied, for we are whipping the
Alabama” ; and afterward, “I will willingly lose my leg or my life, if it is necessary.”
Lying upon his mattress, he paid attention to the progress of the fight, so far as could be known by the sounds on the deck, his face showing satisfaction whenever the cheers of his shipmates were heard; with difficulty he waved his hand over his head, and joined in each cheer with a feeble voice.
When a wounded shipmate on
 |
Close of the combat-the “Kearsarge” getting into position to Rake the “Alabama.”
|
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either side of him complained, he reproved him, saying, “Am I not worse hurt than you?
and I am satisfied, for we are whipping the
Alabama.”
Directly after the enemy's wounded were brought on board he desired the surgeon to give him no further attention, for he was “doing well,” requesting that all aid be given to “the poor fellows of the
Alabama.”
In the hospital he was patient and resigned, and happy in speaking of the victory.
“This man, so very interesting by his courage and resignation,” wrote the
French surgeon-in-chief, “received general sympathy; all desired.
his recovery and lamented his death.”
At a dinner given by loyal
Americans in
Paris to
Captain Winslow and two of his officers, a telegram was received announcing the death of
Gouin.
His name was honorably mentioned, his behavior eulogized, and his memory drunk in silence.
 |
The boat from the “Alabama” announcing the surrender and asking for assistance.
The picture shows shot-marks in the thin deal covering of the chain armor amidships. |
At 3:10 P. M. the
Kearsarge anchored in Cherbourg harbor close by the ship-of-war
Napoleon, and was soon surrounded by boats of every description filled with excited and inquisitive people.
Ambulances, by order of the
French admiral, were sent to the landing to receive the wounded, and thence they were taken to the
Hopital de la Marine, where arrangements had been made for their reception.
Dr. Gait and all the prisoners except four officers were paroled and sent on shore before sunset.
Secretary Welles soon after expressed his disapprobation of this action.
An incident that occasioned gratification was the coincidence of the lowering of the enemy's colors by an early shot from the
Kearsarge, already mentioned, and the unfolding of the victorious flag by a shot from the
Alabama.
The
Kearsarge's colors were “stopped” at the mizzen, that they might be displayed if the ensign were carried away, and to serve as the emblem of victory in case of success.
A shot from the last broadside of the
Alabama passed high over the
Kearsarge, carried away the halyards of the colors, stopped at the mizzen, and in so doing pulled sufficiently to break the stop, and thereby unfurled the triumphant flag.
The
Kearsarge received twenty-eight shot and shell, of which thirteen were in the hull, the most efficient being abaft the mainmast.
A 100-pounder rifle shell entered at the starboard quarter and lodged in the stern-post.
The blow shook the ship from stem to stern.
Luckily the shell did not explode, otherwise the result would have been serious, if not fatal.
A 32-pounder shell entered forward of the forward pivot port, crushing the waterways, raising the gun and carriage, and lodged, but did not explode, else many of the gun's crew would likely have been injured by the fragments and splinters.
The smoke-pipe was perforated by a rifle shell, which exploded inside and tore a ragged hole nearly three feet in diameter, and carried away three of the chain guys.
Three boats were shattered.
The cutting away of the rigging was mostly about the mainmast.
The spars were left in good order.
A large number of pieces of burst shell were gathered from the deck and thoughtlessly thrown overboard.
During the anchorage in Cherbourg harbor no assistance was received from shore except that rendered by a boiler-maker in patching up the smoke-stack, every other repair being made by our own men.
Captain Semmes in his official report says:
At the end of the engagement it was discovered, by those of our officers who went alongside the enemy's ship with the wounded, that her midship section on both sides was thoroughly iron-coated.
The planking had been ripped off in every direction by our shot and shell,
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the chain broken and indented in many places, and forced partly into the ship's side.
The enemy was heavier than myself, both in ship, battery, and crew; but I did not know until the action was over that she was also iron-clad.
The ships were well matched in size, speed, armament, and crew, showing a likeness rarely seen in naval battles.
5 The number of the ship's company of the
Kearsarge was 163.
That of the
Alabama, from the best information, was estimated at 150.
The chain plating was made of one hundred and twenty fathoms of sheet-chains of one and seventenths inch iron, covering a space amidships of forty-nine and one-half feet in length by six feet
 |
The shell in the stern-post of the “Kearsarge.”
The charge was withdrawn from the shell, which was boxed in, and in that condition it remained for months, until the ship reached Boston, where, when the vessel was repaired, a section of the stern-post containing the embedded shell was cut away and sent to the Navy Department, and was finally deposited in the Ordnance Museum, at the Navy Yard, Washington.--J. M. B. |
two inches in depth, stopped up and down to eyebolts with marlines, secured by iron dogs, and employed for the purpose of protecting the engines when the upper part of the coal-bunkers was empty, as happened during the action.
The chains were concealed by one-inch deal-boards as a finish.
The chain plating was struck by a 32-pounder shot in the starboard gangway, which cut the chain and bruised the planking; and by a 32-pounder shell, which broke a link of the chain, exploded, and tore away a portion of the deal covering.
Had the shot been from the 100-pounder rifle the result would have been different, though without serious damage, because the shot struck five feet above the water-line, and if sent through the side would have cleared the machinery and boilers.
It is proper therefore to assert that in the absence of the chain armor the result would have been nearly the same, notwithstanding the common opinion at the time that the
Kearsarge was an “iron-clad” contending with a wooden ship.
The chains were fastened to the ship's sides more than a year previous to the fight, while at the
Azores.
It was the suggestion of the executive officer,
Lieutenant-Commander James S. Thornton, to hang the sheet-chain (or spare anchor-cable) over the sides, so as to protect.
the midship section, he having served with
Admiral Farragut in passing the forts to reach New Orleans, and having observed its benefit on that occasion.
The work was done in three days, at a cost for mateerial not exceeding seventy-five dollars. In our visit to
European ports, the use of sheet-chains for protective purposes had attracted notice and caused comment.
It is strange that
Captain Semmes did not know of the chain armor; supposed spies had been on board and had been shown through the ship, as there was no attempt at concealment; the same pilot had been employed by both ships, and had visited each during the preparation for battle.
The
Alabama had bunkers full of coal, which brought.
her down in the water.
The
Kearsarge was deficient in seventy tons of coal of her proper supply, but. the sheet-chains stowed outside gave protection to her partly-filled bunkers.
The battery of the
Kearsarge consisted of seven guns: two 11-inch pivots, smooth bore, one 30-pounder rifle, and four light 32-pounders; that of the
Alabama of eight guns: one 68-pounder pivot, smooth bore, one 100-pounder pivot rifle, and six heavy 32-pounders.
Five guns were fought by the
Kearsarge and seven by the
Alabama, each with the starboard battery.
Both ships had made thirteen knots an hour under steam; at the time of the battle the
Alabama made ten knots.
The masts of the
Kearsarge were low and small; she never carried more than top-sail yards, depending upon her engines for speed.
The greater size and height of the masts of the
Alabama and the heaviness of her rig (barque) gave the appearance of a larger vessel than her antagonist.
Most of the line officers of the
Kearsarge were from the merchant service, and of the crew only eleven men were of foreign birth.
Most of the officers of the
Alabama were formerly officers in the United States Navy; nearly all the crew were English, Irish, and Welsh, a few of whom were said to belong to the “Royal naval Reserve.”
Captain Semmes said, “
Mr. Kell, my first lieutenant, deserves great credit for the fine condition in which the ship went into action with regard to her battery, magazine, and shell-rooms” ; and he assuredly had confidence in the speed and strength of his ship, as shown by the eagerness and dash with which he opened the fight.
The prisoners declared that the best practice during the action was by the
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gunners who had been trained on board the
Excellent in
Portsmouth harbor.
The
Blakely rifle was the most effective gun. The
Alabama fought bravely until she could no longer fight or float.
The contest was decided by the superiority of the 11-inch Dahlgrens, especially the after-pivot, together with the coolness and accuracy of aim of the gunners of the
Kearsarge, and notably by the skill of
William Smith, the captain of the after-pivot, who in style and behavior was like Long
Tom Coffin in
Cooper's
Pilot.
To the disparagement of
Captain Winslow it has been said that
Lieutenant-Commander Thornton commanded the ship during the action.
This is not true.
Captain Winslow, standing on the horse-block abreast the mizzen-mast, fought his ship gallantly and, as is shown by the result, with excellent judgment.
In an official report he wrote:
It would seem almost invidious to particularize the conduct of any one man or officer, in which all had done their duty with a fortitude and coolness which cannot be too highly praised, but I feel it due to my executive officer, Lieutenant-Commander Thornton, who superintended the working of the battery, to particularly mention him for an example of coolness and encouragement.
of the men while fighting which contributed much toward the success of the action.
This Sunday naval duel was fought in the presence of more than 15,000 spectators, who, upon the heights of
Cherbourg, the breakwater, and rigging of men-of-war, witnessed “the last of the
Alabama.”
Among them were the captains, their families, and crews of two merchant ships burnt by the daring cruiser a few days before her arrival at
Cherbourg, where they were landed in a nearly destitute condition.
Many spectators were provided with spy-glasses and camp-stools, The
Kearsarge was burning
Newcastle coals, and the
Alabama Welsh coals, the difference in the amount of smoke enabling the movements of each ship to be distinctly traced.
An. excursion train from
Paris arrived in the morning, bringing hundreds of pleasure-seekers, who were unexpectedly favored with the spectacle of a sea-fight.
A French gentleman at Boulogne-sur-Mer assured me that the fight was the conversation of
Paris for more than a week.