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'''USS ''Kearsarge''''' was a steam-powered sloop-of-war in the service of the [[United States Navy]], notable for her battle with the legendary [[Confederate States of America|Confederate]] raider [[CSS Alabama|CSS ''Alabama'']] during the [[American Civil War]].

'''USS ''Kearsarge''''' was a steam-powered sloop-of-war in the service of the [[United States Navy]], notable for her battle with the legendary [[Confederate States of America|Confederate]] raider [[CSS Alabama|CSS ''Alabama'']] during the [[American Civil War]].

The first ''Kearsarge'' was launched 11 September 1861 by the Portsmouth Navy Yard, Portsmouth, N.H.; sponsored by Mrs. McFarland, wife of the editor of the Concord ''Statement''; and commissioned 24 January 1862, Captain Charles W. Pickering in command.

The first ''Kearsarge'' was launched 11 September 1861 by the Portsmouth Navy Yard, Portsmouth, [[New Hampshire]]; sponsored by Mrs. McFarland, wife of the editor of the Concord ''Statement''; and commissioned 24 January 1862, Captain Charles W. Pickering in command.

''Kearsarge'' departed Portsmouth 5 February 1862 for the coast of Spain; thence sailed to Gibraltar to join the blockade of Confederate raider Sumter, forcing her abandonment in December. But her commanding captain, Raphael Semmes, soon commissioned Confederate raider ''Alabama'' on the high seas off the Azores.

''Kearsarge'' departed Portsmouth 5 February 1862 for the coast of Spain; thence sailed to Gibraltar to join the blockade of Confederate raider Sumter, forcing her abandonment in December. But her commanding captain, Raphael Semmes, soon commissioned Confederate raider ''Alabama'' on the high seas off the Azores.