THE KEARSAGE AND ALABAMA INCIDENT.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 43, 19 August 1908, Page 2

THE KEARSAGE AND ALABAMA INCIDENT.

TO TUB EDITOB. Sir, — Mr. A. M. Smith in his letter in Saturday's Post says that the captain of the Kearsage "had the cable's hung round the ship's sides in the same manner as they were used on the occasion of the engagement with the Alabama" j and that ifc was owing to this ! being done that , she was sunk by |ier ' opponent* 'Captain Smith's version i seems to fit in with my recollection of this memorable incident ; except that it was not the Federal vessel that had the defensive armour indicated, but the Confederate one. The action took place off Cherbourg, and the Alabama festooning her cables over her bows was so manoeuvred as to receive the enemy's fire on the part chain-armaured. This was in some respects futile, until the Confederate steering gear (a vulnerable part) was disturbed by an effective shot, when she speedily succumbed to the superior armament of the Kearsage. Badly would Captain Semmes; of the defeated vessel, have fared but for the assistance of Mr. Lancaster's yacht Deerhound (there by accident, perhaps), which picked him out of the water and bore him to Southampton. You will note I use the word "festooning." That was Captain Semmes' term when describing his bad luck. Probably the captain of the Kearsage was illustrating to Sir George Bowen the peculiar character of the conflict; in which case Captain Smith would be 1 right in the main, if not quite correct in detail. — I am, etc., C. T. BENZONI. Wellington, 17th August, 1908.

The usual meeting of Court Sir George Boven, A.0.F., was held in. St. Peter's schoolroom. After the ordinary business and initiation, of new members had been, concluded a very enjoyable social evening was spent. Songs and recitations were contributed by some of the members, refreshments were handed round, and games and card tourneys concluded a pleasant evening.