7-Inch Blakely Rifle recovered from the wreck of CSS Alabama at La Cité de la Mer Museum and Aquarium in Cherbourg, France. Photo by Lindsey Shaw.

Note: the photos of the Blakely in Cherbourg were shared by Lindsey Shaw on the Facebook Group “Big Cannon Project” and are used here with her permission. The original post is linked here. Many thanks to her for taking and sharing these photos.

CSS Alabama carried two heavy pivot guns: a 68-Pounder Smoothbore and a 7-Inch (or 110-Pounder) Blakely Rifle as well as six 32-pounder broadside guns. The Blakely was recovered from her wreck in 1994 and is displayed at La Cité de la Mer Museum and Aquarium in Cherbourg, France. The cannon is displayed above the remains of its original wooden carriage and with other artifacts related to the ship.

Trunnion of the Blakely (and surviving trunnion cap) at La Cité de la Mer Museum and Aquarium in Cherbourg, France. Photo by Lindsey Shaw.

Artifacts recovered from CSS Alabama — Artifacts from CSS Alabama (including a shell for the Blakely) displayed at at La Cité de la Mer Museum and Aquarium in Cherbourg, France. Photo by Lindsey Shaw.

Muzzle of the 7-Inch Blakely - note the rifling. Photo by Lindsey Shaw.

Two surviving 7-Inch Blakelys compared. Upper photo is of the CSS Alabama Blakely as photographed by Lindsey Shaw. Lower photo is the 7-Inch Blakely captured aboard CSS Florida and now displayed at the Washington Nary Yard. More photos of the CSS Florida Blakely may be found here: https://www.santee1821.net/preserved-artillery/the-7-inch-blakely-rifle-of-css-florida

During the battle against USS Kearsarge, the 7-Inch Blakely was responsible for two significant hits on Kearsarge.

One was reported by Captain John Winslow "The only shot which I fear will give us any trouble is one 100-pound rifle, which entered our sternpost and remains at present unexploded” (Official Records - Navies. Ser. 1, Vol. 3, pg. 59). Had the shell exploded, it may have severely impacted the Kearsarge's ability to maneuver - perhaps changing the outcome of the battle. The section of the rudder post was subsequently removed and is on display in the collection of the National Museum of the United States Navy. The 7-Inch shell (presumably after being rendered harmless) was replaced in the sternpost and remains part of the display.

Rudder post of USS Kearsarge with the unexploded shell from CSS Alabama’s Blakely “embedded'“ in it displayed at the National Museum of the United States Navy. Author’s photo - August 2024. Additional photos of the sternpost below.

The Civil War Picket has a good article on the sternpost: https://civil-war-picket.blogspot.com/2024/06/a-shell-from-alabama-lodged-in-uss.html

Chief Engineer of USS Kearsarge, William H. Cushman, also reported, "I respectfully report that the only injury received in the engine department during our engagement with the Alabama on the 19th instant was to the smoke pipe, which was perforated through both sections by a 100-pound rifle shell, which exploded as it was coming through, tearing out a ragged hole of about 3 feet in diameter and carrying away three of the chain guys” (Official Records - Navies. Ser. 1, Vol. 3, pg. 63).

CSS Alabama

Captain Raphael Semmes, Alabama's commanding officer, standing by his ship's 110-pounder rifled gun during her visit to Capetown in August 1863. His executive officer, First Lieutenant John M. Kell, is in the background, standing by the ship's wheel. The original photograph is lightly color-tinted and mounted on a carte de visite bearing, on its reverse, the mark of E. Burmester, of Cape Town. Naval History and Heritage Command Photo: https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/our-collections/photography/us-people/k/kell-john-mcintosh/nh-57256.html

Detail photo showing the stern section of the Mariners’ Museum model of CSS Alabama. The 7-Inch Blakely can be seen on its pivot mounting.

Detail photo of the Mariners’ Museum model of CSS Alabama showing the amidships section.

Builder’s Model of CSS Alabama - also in the collection of the Mariners’ Museum in Newport News, Virginia (Author’s photo - July 2024).

First National Confederate Flag of CSS Alabama at the Mariners’ Museum in Newport News Virginia. Author’s photo - July 2024. Catalogue entry for this flag: https://catalogs.marinersmuseum.org/object/CL21353

Fawcett and Preston 32-Pounder of CSS Alabama

32-Pounder manufactured by Fawcett and Preston in 1862 which was salvaged from the wreck of CSS Alabama. Photographed at the Maryland Archaeological Conservation Lab by Greg Starbuck circa 2021 and used with permission. Original post may be found here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16F6okZHXT/

Supplementary Report of Captain John Winslow to Secretary of the Navy Gideon Wells

U. S. S. KEARSARGE ,

English Channel, July 30, 1864.

SIR: In obedience to instructions of the Department I have the honor to make the following supplementary report of the action between the Kearsarge and Alabama : On the morning of the 19th [of June, 1864], the day being fine, with a hazy atmosphere , wind moderate from the westward, with little sea, the position of the Kearsarge at 10 o'clock was near the buoy which marks the line of shoals to the eastward of Cherbourg, and distant about 3 miles from the eastern entrance, which bore to the southward and westward . At 10:20 o'clock the Alabama was descried coming out of the western entrance, accompanied by the Couronne (ironclad). I had, in an interview with the admiral at Cherbourg, assured him that in the event of an action occurring with the Alabama the position of the ships should be so far offshore that no question could be advanced about the line of jurisdiction. Accordingly, to perfect this object, and with the double purpose of drawing the Alabama so far offshore that if disabled she could not return , I directed the ship's head seaward, and cleared for action with the battery pivoted to starboard. Having attained a point about 7 miles from the shore, the head of the Kearsarge was turned short round and the ship steered directly for the Alabama, my purpose being to run her down, or, if circumstances did not warrant it, to close in with her. Hardly had the Kearsarge come round before the Alabama sheered , presented her starboard battery, and slowed her engines. On approaching her, at long range of about a mile, she opened her full broadside, the shot cutting some of our rigging and going over and alongside of us. Immediately I ordered more speed, but in two minutes the Alabama had loaded and again fired another broadside, and following it with a third, without damaging us except in rigging . We had now arrived within about 900 yards of her, and I was apprehensive that another broadside , nearly raking as it was, would prove disastrous. Accordingly, I ordered the Kearsarge sheered, and opened on the Alabama. The position of the vessels was now broadside and broadside, but it was soon apparent that Captain Semmes did not seek close action. I became then fearful, lest after some fighting he would again make for the shore. To defeat this, I determined to keep full speed on , and with a port helm to run under the stern of the Alabama and rake, if he did not prevent it by sheering and keeping his broadside to us. He adopted this mode as a preventive, and as a consequence the Alabama was forced with a full head of steam into a circular track during the engagement.

Map and track of the engagement in the Official Records - Navies. Series 1. Volume 3. Page 80. — Map and track of the engagement in the *Official Records - Navies.* Series 1. Volume 3. Page 80.

The effect of this maneuver was such that at the last of the action, when the Alabama would have made off, she was near 5 miles from the shore, and had the action continued from the first in parallel lines, with her head inshore, the line of jurisdiction would no doubt have been reached. The firing of the Alabama from the first was rapid and wild. Toward the close of the action her firing became better. Our men, who had been cautioned against rapid firing without direct aim, were much more deliberate, and the instructions given to point the heavy guns below rather than above the water line and clear the deck with the lighter ones was fully observed. I had endeavored with a port helm to close in with the Alabama, but it was not until just before the close of the action that we were in position to use grape. This was avoided, however, by her surrender . The effect of the training of our men was evident. Nearly every shot from our guns was telling fearfully on the Alabama, and on the seventh rotation on the circular track she winded, setting foretrysail and two jibs, with head inshore. Her speed was now retarded, and, by winding , her port broadside was presented to us, with only two guns bearing, not having been able, as I learned afterwards, to shift over but one. I saw now that she was at our mercy, and a few more guns, well directed, brought down her flag. I was unable to ascertain whether they had been hauled down or shot away, but a white flag having been displayed over the stern, our fire was reserved. Two minutes had not more than elapsed before she again opened on us with the two guns on the port side . This drew our fire again, and the Kearsarge was immediately steamed ahead, and laid across her bows for raking. The white flag was still flying, and our fire was again reserved. Shortly after this her boats were seen to be lowering , and an officer in one of them came alongside and informed us that the ship had surrendered and was fast sinking. In twenty minutes from this time the Alabama went down, her mainmast, which had been shot, breaking near the head as she sank, and her bow rising high out of the water as her stern rapidly settled.

“Kearsarge and Alabama” - 1887 Lithograph by J.O. Davidson. This illustration shows one of USS Kearsarge’s 11-Inch Dahlgrens having just fired on CSS Alabama. From the Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/item/95507844/

The fire of the Alabama, although it is stated that she discharged 370 or more shell and shot, was not of serious damage to the Kearsarge. Some thirteen or fourteen of these had taken effect in and about the hull, and sixteen or seventeen about the masts and rigging. The casualties were small, only three persons having been wounded; yet it is a matter of surprise that so few were injured , considering the number of projectiles that came aboard. Two shot passed through the ports in which the 32's were placed, with men thickly stationed around them, one taking effect in the hammock netting and the other going through the port on the opposite side; yet no one was hit, the captain of one of the guns being only knocked down by the wind of the shot, as supposed. The fire of the Kearsarge , although only 173 projectiles had been discharged, according to the prisoners' accounts was terrific. One shot alone had killed and wounded eighteen men and disabled the gun; another had entered the coal bunkers, exploding, and completely blocked up the engine room, and Captain Semmes states that shot and shell had taken effect in the sides of the vessel, tearing large holes by explosion, and his men were everywhere knocked down.

The Battle of the Kearsarge and the Alabama (1864), by Édouard Manet, Philadelphia Museum of Art via Wikimedia

Of the casualties in the Alabama no correct account can be given. One hundred and fifteen persons reached the shore, either in England or France, after the action. It is known that the Alabama carried a crew (officers and men ) of about 150 into Cherbourg, and that while in the Southern Ocean her complement was about 170; but desertions had reduced this complement. The prisoners state that a number of men came on board at Cherbourg, and the night before the action boats were going to and fro, and in the morning strange men were seen who were stationed as captains of the guns . Among these there was one lieutenant (Sinclair), who joined her in Cherbourg.

The Alabama had been five days in preparation ; she had taken in 350 tons of coal, which brought her down in the water. The Kearsarge had only 120 tons in, but as an offset to this, her sheet chains were stowed outside -stopped up and down as an additional preventive and protection to her more empty bunkers. The number of the crew of the Kearsarge, including officers and sick men , was 163 and her battery numbered seven guns - two 11-inch and one 30-pounder rifle, and four light 32-pounder guns.

The battery of the Alabama numbered eight guns - one heavy 68, of 9,000 pounds, one 110-pounder rifle, and six heavy 32-pounder guns. In the engagement the Alabama fought seven guns and the Kearsarge five, both exercising her starboard battery until the Alabama winded, using then her port side with one gun, and another shifted over. The collateral events connected with this action have already been laid before the Department. I enclose a diagram, showing the track which was described during the engagement , by the rotary course of the vessels.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully , your obedient servant,

JNO. A. WINSLOW,

Official Records - Navies. Series 1. Volume 3. Pages 79-81.

USS Kearsarge’s 11-Inch Dahlgren Guns

Officers of USS Kearsarge pose near the aft 11-Inch Dahlgren after the battle in 1864. Naval History and Heritage Command Photo: https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/our-collections/photography/us-people/t/thornton-james-s/nh-61669.html

USS Kearsarge continued to carry her 11-Inch Dahlgrens, US Navy Registry Numbers 40 and 203, after the battle. By 1883 they were replaced on Kearsarge by two 8-Inch Rifles Number which were conversions from 11-Inch Dahlgrens. The two 8-Inch Rifles were lost when Kearsarge ran aground on Roncador Bank in the Carribean in 1894.

The two 11-Inch Dahlgrens survive. For many years they were displayed at Mare Island. At present they are at the Collection Management Facility of Naval History and Heritage Command in Richmond, Virginia. I very much hope that they will be displayed when the new National Museum of the United States Navy eventually opens. A photo below shows Number 40 being used to take measurements to assist in the conservation of the 11-Inch Dahlgrens recovered from USS Monitor.

11-Inch Dahlgren of USS Kearsarge displayed at Mare Island in the mid 20th Century. Naval History and Heritage Command Photo: https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/our-collections/photography/numerical-list-of-images/nhhc-series/nh-series/NH-123000/NH-123875.html

USS Kearsarge’s two 11-Inch Dahlgrens are currently in storage at Naval History and Heritage Command’s facility in Richmond, Virginia. US Navy Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Mutis A Capizzi. Photo’s caption: “Erik Farrell, an archaeological conservator from the Mariners’ Museum and Park located in Newport News, works with a device to collect measurement data from a Dahlgren smoothbore shell gun from Kearsarge I (Sloop-of-War) during a visit to the Collection Management Facility (CMF).”

A great article explaining why the Mariners’ Museum staff visited the Kearsarge’s Dahlgren and what it had to do with USS Monitor’s conservation can be found in this post on their website: https://www.marinersmuseum.org/2018/11/another-day-another-dahlgren/

US Navy 8-Inch (or 180-Pounder) Muzzle Loading Rifle, Registry Number 30, aboard USS Kearsarge circa 1890. It was the 8-Inch Rifles which were lost in 1894. High resolution scan available here: https://www.loc.gov/item/2016807823/

Read about the cannons of USS Kearsarge which were lost in 1894 here: https://www.santee1821.net/preserved-artillery/the-guns-of-uss-kearsarge-in-1894

The 7-Inch Blakely of CSS Alabama

During the battle against USS Kearsarge, the 7-Inch Blakely was responsible for two significant hits on Kearsarge.

CSS Alabama

Fawcett and Preston 32-Pounder of CSS Alabama

Supplementary Report of Captain John Winslow to Secretary of the Navy Gideon Wells

USS Kearsarge’s 11-Inch Dahlgren Guns

Santee1821: Naval Artifacts and Artillery

The 7-Inch Blakely of CSS Alabama

During the battle against USS Kearsarge, the 7-Inch Blakely was responsible for two significant hits on Kearsarge.

CSS Alabama

Fawcett and Preston 32-Pounder of CSS Alabama

Supplementary Report of Captain John Winslow to Secretary of the Navy Gideon Wells

USS Kearsarge’s 11-Inch Dahlgren Guns

The French 36-Pounder of the American Privateer General Armstrong

The 6.25-Inch Rifle of CSS Florida at the Washington Navy Yard

Santee1821: Naval Artifacts and Artillery