616 THE DUEL BETWEEN THE “ALABAMA" AND “KEARSARGE."
sion from the French admiral to visit the Kear-sarge. Communication with either ship was pro-hibited, but the permission was given upon thepromise of Mr. Dayton to return on shore directlyafter the delivery of the message. Mr. Dayton ex-pressed the opinion that Captain Semmes wouldnot fight, though acknowledging the prevalence ofa contrary belief in Cherbourg. He was told that,in the event of battle, if we were successful thecolors would be displayed at the mizzen as the flagof victory. He w r ent on shore with the intention ofleaving for Paris without delay. In taking leave
of the French admiral the latter advised Mr. Day-ton to remain over night, and mentioned the fixedpurpose of Captain Semmes to fight on the follow-ing day, Sunday ; and he gave the intelligence thatthere could be no further communication with theKearsargc. Mr. Dayton passed a part of Saturdaynight trying to procure a boat to send off the ac-quired information, but the vigilance along thecoast made his efforts useless. He remained, wit-nessed the battle, telegraphed the result to Paris ,and was one of the first to go on board and offercongratulations.
At a supper in Cherbourg on Saturday night,several officers of the Alabama met sympathizingfriends, the coming battle being the chief topic ofconversation. Confident of victory, they pro-claimed the intent to sink the “ Federal ” or gaina “corsair.” They rose with promises to meet thefollowing night to repeat the festivity as victors,were escorted to the boat, and departed with cheersand best wishes for a successful return. J
Sunday, the 19th, came; a fine day, atmos-phere somewhat hazy, little sea, light westerlywind. At 10 o’clock the Kearsarge was near thebuoy marking the line of shoals to the eastward ofCherbourg, at a distance of about three miles fromthe entrance. The decks had been holystoned, thebright work cleaned, the guns polished, and thecrew were dressed in Sunday suits. They were in-
spected at quarters and dismissed to attend divineservice. Seemingly no one thought of the enemy;so long awaited and not appearing, speculation asto her coming had nearly ceased. At 10:20 theofficer of the deck reported a steamer approachingfrom Cherbourg,— a frequent occurrence, and con-sequently it created no surprise. The bell wastolling for service when some one shouted, “ She’scoming, and heading straight for us! ” Soon, by theaid of a glass, the officer of the deck made out theenemy and shouted, “ The Alabama ! ” and callingdown the ward-room hatch repeated the cry, “ TheAlabama l” The drum beat to generalquarters; Captain Winslow put asidethe prayer-book, seized the trumpet,ordered the ship about, and headedseaward. The ship was cleared foraction, with the battery pivoted tostarboard.
The Alabama approached from thewestern entrance, escorted by theFrench iron-clad frigate Couronne,flying the pennant of the command-ant of the port, followed in herwake by a small fore-and-aft-riggedsteamer, the Deerhound, flying theflag of the Royal Mersey Yacht Club.The commander of the frigate hadinformed Captain Semmes that hisship would escort him to the limitof the French waters. The frigate,having convoyed the Alabama threemarine miles from the coast, putdown her helm, and steamed backinto port without delay.
The steam-yacht continued on, and remainednear the scene of action.
Captain Winslow had assured the French ad-miral that in the event of an engagement the posi-tion of the ship should be far enough from shore toprevent a violation of the law of nations. To avoida question of jurisdiction, and to avert an escapeto neutral waters in case of retreat, the Kearsargesteamed to sea, followed by the enemy, giving theappearance of running away and being pursued.Between six and seven miles from the shore theKearsarge, thoroughly ready, at 10 : 50 wheeled, ata distance of one and a quarter miles from her oppo-nent, presented the starboard battery, and steereddirect for her, with the design of closing or of run-ning her down. The A labama sheered and presentedher starboard battery. More speed was ordered,the Kearsarge advanced rapidly, and at 10:57 re-ceived a broadside of solid shot at a range of abouteighteen hundred yards. This broadside cut awaya little of the rigging, but the shot mostly passedover or fell short. It was apparent that CaptainSemmes 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 getat short range, as the guns were loaded with five-second shell. Arrived within nine hundred yards,the Kearsarge, fearing a fourth broadside, and
0*^8 p ,"*,
THE CREW OF THE “KEARSARGE” AT QUARTERS.FROM A PHOTOGRAPH.
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