Charles Fisher

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USS Kearsarge vs. CSS Alabama, 19 June 1864

    After nearly two years of highly successful cruising at the expense of the United States' commercial shipping, CSS Alabama returned to European waters in early June 1864. Badly in need of a refit, she put into Cherbourg, France, on 11 June. News of her presence soon reached the USS Kearsarge , which promptly steamed to Cherbourg, arriving on the 14th. Seeing that he was blockaded, with repairs delayed and with the probability that his ship would not be able to resume her raiding activities, Alabama's Captain Raphael Semmes challenged Kearsarge's Captain John Winslow to a ship-to-ship duel. That suited Winslow very well, and he took station offshore and waited.

    After four days of coaling, drill and other preparations, Alabama steamed out of Cherbourg harbor in the morning of 19 June 1864, escorted by the French ironclad Couronne, which remained in the area to ensure that the combat remained in international waters. On paper, Kearsarge and Alabama were well-matched, with the Union warship having a slight advantage in gun power and speed. As the Confederate approached, Kearsarge steamed further to sea, to ensure that Alabama could not easily return to port.

    At 10:50 AM, Captain Winslow put his ship around and headed for the enemy. Alabama opened fire a few minutes later, at a distance of about a mile, and continued to fire as the range decreased. As the ships closed to about a half-mile, Kearsarge turned and began to shoot back. Both ships had their guns trained to starboard, and the engagement followed a circular course, with the ships steaming in opposite directions and turning to counter the other's attempts to gain an advantageous position. Superior Federal gunnery, and the deteriorated condition of Alabama's powder and shells, soon began to tell. Though Alabama hit her opponent several times, the projectiles caused little damage and few casualties. One shell hit Kearsarge's sternpost, failed to explode and survives today as a relic of the battle.  Department of the Navy, Navy Historical Center, Washington Navy Yard, Washington DC 20374-5060

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This is more an adventure rather than a program, because you will get to meet and hear the story of Gunners Mate Charles Fisher from the USS Kearsarge.  He was one of the few crewmen to take pen to paper to preserve his experiences on that fateful day.  The day the CSS Alabama and USS Kearsarge fought one of the most famous naval battles of the Civil War.

Using artifacts as props, Charles Fisher describes the time leading up to, and then the battle between the Alabama and Kearsarge on June 19, 1864.  Your class will learn about the Navy uniform, how they operated large cannons, and the everyday life of a sailor. Also, they will come away feeling the intensity of battle.

Charles Fisher truly comes to life again through Richard Best as he recounts the hard fight that took place on that beautiful June day… the day that one of the most successful and famous commerce raiders of all times sank.