The _Kearsarge_, like many other vessels of the United States, had been hunting here and there for the ocean pest, but it seemed impossible to bring her to bay.
On Sunday morning, June 12, 1864, the _Kearsarge_ was lying off the town of Flushing, Holland, with many of the officers and men ashore, and with everything wearing the appearance of a protracted rest for the crew.

Some hours later, however, a gun was fired as a signal for every member of the ship's company to come aboard at once.

The cause of this sudden awaking was a telegram from Minister William L.Dayton, at Paris, notifying Captain Winslow that the _Alabama_ had arrived at Cherbourg.
On Tuesday, Winslow appeared off the fort, and saw the cruiser within, with her Stars and Bars floating defiantly in the breeze.

Had Captain Winslow followed, he would have been compelled by law to remain twenty-four hours after the departure of the _Alabama_, so he took a station outside, determined that the cruiser should not escape him again.
In this case, however, the precaution was unnecessary, for Semmes had made up his mind to fight the National vessel.

He had been charged with cowardice in running away from armed ships, and he had destroyed and captured so many helpless merchantmen that he felt something was due to retrieve his reputation.