To his capture,
the United States devoted some of its best ships, but it was not until
the summer of 1864, that he was finally cornered.
On Sunday, June 12, 1864, the United States sloop-of-war Kearsarge lay
at anchor off the sleepy town of Flushing, Holland. Her commander, John
Ancrum Winslow, had served in the navy of the United States for
thirty-seven years, and had done good work off Vera Cruz in the war with
Mexico, but the crowning achievement of his life was at hand. As his
ship lay swinging idly at her anchor, a boat put off to her, a messenger
jumped aboard, and three minutes later a gun was fired, recalling
instantly every member of the ship's company ashore. The message was
from our minister to France and stated that the long-sought Alabama had
arrived at Cherbourg. For nearly two years, Winslow had been searching
for that scourge of American shipping, but Semmes had always eluded him,
so it may well be believed that Winslow lost no time in getting under
way. On Tuesday morning, he reached Cherbourg, and breathed a great sigh
of relief as he saw, beyond the breakwater, the flag of the Alabama. He
took his station off the port, and kept a close lookout for fear his
enemy would again elude him. But the precaution was unnecessary, for
Semmes had decided to offer battle.
Four days passed, however, with the Kearsarge keeping grim guard.
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