Farragut and Our Naval Commanders.

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1867 Excerpt: ...was moving steadily ahead, when there suddenly came sharp puffs of smoke from the side of the Alabama, followed by the deep thunder of her guns rolling over the tranquil sea. The shot and shell flew over the Kearsarge, cutting up her rigging, but effecting no serious damage. Like the gallant Hull, in the first sea-fight of the war of 1812, Winslow made no reply, but sternly ordered the engineer to put on more steam, and the noble steamer the next moment was dashing the foam from her bows, as she pressed forward for a death grapple. In two minutes came another broadside, and then another, yet not a gun replied. Silently and sternly Winslow kept on his way, but, as he approached, bows on, he saw that he was in danger of being raked, and therefore, when about a half a mile distant, he sheered, so as to bring his own broadside to bear, and fired his first gun. The crashing shot and bursting shell, that made the rebel ship tremble, showed Semmes that his adversary intended to throw away no shot in this deadly encounter. Wheeling, Winslow again pressed on under a full head of steam, in order to get in close range, but soon sheered and poured in another broadside. In about ten minutes, the spanker gaff of the Alabama and the ensign came down on a run! These were immediately replaced, and the fight went on. The two vessels were now steaming at the rate of seven or eight miles an hour--and every few minutes steering, so as to bring their broadsides to bear, they were forced to fight in circles, swinging steadily around an ever changing centre. The firing, when within a quarter of a mile of each other, was rapid and terrible. Two guns of the Kearsarge, carrying eleven-inch shells, did fearful damage, making great gaps in the hull of the enemy. The former, in the mean...