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Winslow (JOHN ANCRUM an American naval)

JOHN ANCRUM, an American naval officer; born in Wilmington, N. C., Nov. 19, 1811; entered the navy about 1827, became a lieutenant in 1839, and commander in 1855. In 1862 he served under Captain Foote on the Mississippi river. He obtained command of the steamer "Kearsarge," of seven guns, and was ordered to the coast of Europe, to watch Confederate cruisers, in the early part of 1863. On June 19, 1864, he met the "Alabama," Captain Semmes, near Cherbourg. When the vessels were about a mile apart, the "Alabama" began to fire rapidly and wildly, but the guns of the "Kearsarge" were directed with coolness and precision. The vessels fought in circles, swinging steadily around an ever-changing center. After they had described seven circles and had diminished their distance to about a quarter of a mile, the "Alabama" began to sink, and raised a white flag. Captain Winslow lost only three killed and wounded out of 163 officers and men. He took 65 prisoners. He was promoted WINSLOW commodore in 1865 and rear-admiral in 1870. He died in Boston, Mass., Sept. 29, 1873.