CSS Alabama vs. USS Kearsarge, June 19, 1864-- Part 4

Had that shell from the Alabama that lodged in the Kearsarge's sternpost exploded it would gave been very bad for the Union ship.  Confederate John M. McKenzie, who was just 16 years old at the time of the battle, observed:  "If it had exploded the Kearsarge  would have gone to the bottom instead of the Alabama.  But our ammunition was old and had lost its strength."

Southern casualties were heavy as both sides fought valiantly.

"After the lapse of about one hour and ten minutes,"  Semmes reported, "our ship was ascertained to be in a sinking condition, the enemy's shells having exploded in our side, and between decks, opening large apertures through which the water rushed with great rapidity.

"For some few minutes I had hopes of being able to reach the French coast, for which purpose I gave the ship all steam, and set such of the fore and aft sails as were available.  The ship filled so rapidly, however, that before we had made much progress, the fires were extinguished in the furnaces, and we were evidently at the point of sinking.

"I now hauled down my colors to prevent the further destruction of life, and dispatched a boat to inform the enemy of our condition."

--Old B-Runner