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The action off Cherbourg on Sunday between the Alabama and the Kearsarge: the Alabama sinking, 1864. Creator: Smyth
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The action off Cherbourg on Sunday between the Alabama and the Kearsarge: the Alabama sinking, 1864. Creator: Smyth
The action off Cherbourg on Sunday between the Alabama and the Kearsarge: the Alabama sinking, 1864. Engraving of a sketch by James Bryant of the Royal Western Yacht Club. 'One of the most interesting naval engagements that has ever taken place near our shores was that...between the Confederate cruiser Alabama, commanded by Captain Semmes, and the United States war-steamer Kearsarge, Captain Winslow...[Semmes said] "The firing now became very hot, and the enemy's shot and shell soon began to tell upon our hull, knocking down, killing, and disabling a number of men in different parts of the ship...After the lapse of about one hour and ten minutes our ship was ascertained to be in a sinking condition, the enemy's shell having exploded in our sides and between decks, opening large apertures, through which the water rushed with great rapidity...We now turned all our exertions towards saving the wounded and such of the boys of the ship as were unable to swim"...the Alabama sank, and the victory remained with the Kearsarge, which was armed with two 11-inch (120-pounder) smooth-bore columbiads, besides six 32-pounders; while the Alabama had one 7-inch bore rifled pivot-gun forward, one 8-inch smoothbore pivot-gun at the stern, and six 32-pounders'. From "Illustrated London News", 1864
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Media ID 38686393
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Activities Activity Alabama Channel Cherbourg Manche Basse Normandie France Confederate Dramatic English Channel Federal Naval Battle Naval Ship Sailing Ships Sailor Sailors Shipwreck Shipwrecked Sinking Smyth Steam Ship Steam Ships Steam Yacht Steamer Steamers Steamship Steamships United States Navy Us Navy Uss Kearsarge Warships Yacht American Civil War Kearsarge Naval Warfare Warship
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EDITORS COMMENTS
**The Fateful Battle: The Alabama's Demise**
On a fateful Sunday in [year], the Confederate cruiser Alabama, under Captain Semmes' command, clashed with its arch-nemesis, the United States war-steamer Kearsarge. As seen in this dramatic print by Smyth, the action unfolded off Cherbourg as both vessels exchanged blows amidst a hail of cannon fire and shells.
The intense battle raged on for over an hour before the Alabama's hull began to take on water at an alarming rate. Despite valiant efforts to save their shipmates, Captain Semmes was forced to concede defeat as his vessel succumbed to the relentless pounding from Kearsarge's powerful guns. The once-proud warship slipped beneath the waves, taking with it many of its brave crew members.
This poignant print captures a pivotal moment in naval history when two titans clashed on European waters. Witnessed by James Bryant and rendered into an engraving for "Illustrated London News" in 1864, this haunting image serves as a testament to the bravery and sacrifice displayed during one of the most significant sea battles of the American Civil War era.
**Credit:** Smyth / Heritage Images
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