The _Kearsarge_ concentrated her fire and poured in the eleven-inch shells with deadly effect. One penetrated the coal-bunker of the _Alabama_, and a dense cloud of coal-dust arose. Others struck near the water-line between the main and mizzen masts, exploded within board, or passing through burst beyond. Crippled and torn, the _Alabama_ moved less quickly and began to settle by the stern, yet did not slacken her fire, but returned successive broadsides without disastrous result to us. Captain Semmes witnessed the havoc made by the shells, especially by those of our after pivot-gun, and offered a reward for its silence. Soon his battery was turned upon this particular offending gun for the purpose of silencing it. It was in vain, for the work of destruction went on. We had completed the seventh rotation on the circular track and begun the eighth; the _Alabama_, now settling, sought to escape by setting all available sail (fore-trysail and two jibs), left the circle, amid a shower of shot and shell, and headed for the French waters; but to no purpose. In winding the _Alabama_ presented the port battery with only two guns bearing, and showed gaping sides through which the water washed. The _Kearsarge_ pursued, keeping on a line nearer the shore, and with a few well-directed shots hastened the sinking condition. Then the _Alabama_ was at our mercy. Thus ended the fight after one hour and two minutes. One incident of this battle much talked of at the time, and given as an excuse for their defeat by the Confederates (though without good reason), was the fact that the waist of the _Kearsarge_, opposite the engines, was protected by anchor-chains, hung in close festoons on the outside of the ship, and kept in place and concealed by a boxing of thin boards. This, however, was not the first attempt at protecting ships by armor, which had now become necessary to meet successfully the better guns and projectiles that year by year were increased in penetrative power. New powders and explosives were constantly being invented also, each more effective than the preceding; and as these were not only used in guns but applied to the filling of shells, these bursting missiles for a time almost displaced solid shot. Along with this the discovery and perfection of the Bessemer and other processes of making steel, and methods of adapting rifling to great cannon, produced a rapid and varied increase in size and an improvement in quality in the guns supplied to ships as well as in those used upon shore.