RELIC FROM THE BATTLE OF THE KEARSARGE AND ALABAMA
A fine trio of items related to the decisive Civil War battle between the Union sloop of war Kearsarge commanded by John A. Winslow, and CSS commerce raider Alabama commanded by Raphael A. Semmes. On June 14, 1864, the Kearsarge found the Alabama in port at Cherbourg, France where she was undergoing repair. The feared ship, which had captured or burned no less than 65 Union vessels, then made for open waters. Semmes challenged the commander of the Kearsarge to a battle and, five days later, the two ships met in neutral waters. The Confederates opened fire, and although the two vessels circled each other for a short spell, the Alabama soon lost grip of the battle, as its powder and ammunition were compromised due to long storage in unfavorable conditions. The Kearsarge, on the other hand, had been fortified with additional chain cable in critical areas and thus withstood the Alabama's 32-pounder shells. Responding in kind, she bombarded the Alabama with 11-inch Dahlgren smoothbore pivot cannons, decimating the vessel. Semmes surrendered and dispatched a boat with a message for help. Much to Winslow's disappointment, he himself was saved aboard the Deerhound, and made for England with 41 surviving sailors. Our fine lot comprises a relic from the Kearsarge, a 6" x 4" portion of a plank removed from the vessel. The plank is bound with strips of metal (iron?), and bears upon it a period note reading: "Taken from a damaged plank of the U. S. ship Kearsarge on her return after sinking the Alabama". This relic is spectacularly matted with signatures of the captains of each ship, RAPHAEL A. SEMMES, signature on a small card reading: "Raphael A. Semmes Rear Admiral late C. S. Navy". With a signature of JOHN A. WINSLOW penned on a dark brown sheet, irregularly trimmed. Presented around a 21 1/2" x 15" chromolithograph (copyright 1887 by Prang & Co. of Boston) entitled "Kearsarge and Alabama". Along with the signatures is a vintage sheet bearing the song Liberty and Union forever, New Patriotic and Comic Song on the Sinking of the Pirate Alabama by the U.S. Gunboat Kearsarge...", printed in red and blue on an octavo sheet. Portrait engravings of Winslow and Semmes are also presented. The assemblage is handsomely matted in cream and set into a huge wood frame. Fine condition, surely a great display item for the Civil War naval collector.