It did only trifling damage to the rigging of the _Kearsarge_.

A second and part of a third broadside were delivered, with no perceptible effect.

All the time, under a full head of steam, Winslow was rushing toward his enemy for the death grapple.

Still in peril of being raked, he now sheered when half a mile distant and fired his broadside of five-second shells, at the same time endeavoring to pass under the _Alabama's_ stern, but Semmes defeated the manoeuvre by also sheering his vessel.

The effort of each was now to keep his starboard broadside presented to the other, the attempt causing the two ships to describe an immense circle, the diameter of which steadily decreased, until it was barely a third of a mile.
Ten minutes after the opening of the battle the spanker gaff of the _Alabama_ and the ensign were brought down by the fire of the _Kearsarge_, whose crew burst into cheers, but the Confederates quickly hoisted the colors to their mizzen.