During the American Civil War, the U.S. warship USS Kearsarge gained international fame after sinking the Confederate raider CSS Alabama off the coast of France. Although Édouard Manet did not witness the battle itself, he captured the moment through two paintings. This work was inspired by Manet’s later visit to the victorious ship anchored near Boulogne-sur-Mer and marks his first engagement with a contemporary historical event, combining journalistic immediacy with modern artistic vision.