"CSS Alabama Wreck Site (1864)" Topic
5 Posts
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Tango01 | 23 Feb 2021 4:06 p.m. PST |
"In 1862, John Laird Sons and Company of Liverpool, England built the screw sloop-of-war Alabama for the Confederate States of America. Launched as Enrica, the vessel was fitted out as a cruiser and commissioned as CSS Alabama on 24 August 1862. Under Captain Raphael Semmes, Alabama spent the next two months capturing and burning ships in the North Atlantic and intercepting American grain ships bound for Europe. Continuing its path of destruction through the West Indies, Alabama sank USS Hatteras near Galveston, Texas, and captured its crew. After visiting Cape Town, South Africa, Alabama sailed for the East Indies where it spent the next six months cruising for enemy shipping. While there, the formidable commerce raider destroyed seven more ships before rounding the Cape of Good Hope and returning to Europe. On 11 June 1864 Alabama arrived at Cherbourg, France and Captain Semmes requested the permission of city officials to dock and overhaul his ship. Three days later, the Union sloop-of-war Kearsarge, which had been pursuing the raider, arrived off Cherbourg and began patrolling just outside of the harbor. On June 19, Alabama sailed out of Cherbourg to engage Kearsarge. As Kearsarge turned to meet its opponent, Alabama opened fire. Kearsarge's crew waited until the distance between both vessels closed to less than 1,000 yards before returning fire. According to survivors of the battle, the two ships steamed on opposite circular courses as each commander tried to cross the bow of his opponent to deliver a heavy raking fire. The battle quickly turned against Alabama due to the poor quality of its powder and shells; by contrast, Kearsarge benefited from additional protection provided by chain cables along its sides…" Main page link Amicalement Armand |
Grelber | 23 Feb 2021 9:27 p.m. PST |
Interesting article. I didn't realize they had found and investigated Alabama's wreckage. Grelber |
Tango01 | 24 Feb 2021 12:20 p.m. PST |
Glad you enjoyed it my friend! (smile) Amicalement Armand
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CorsairFAS217 | 24 Feb 2021 3:41 p.m. PST |
Ive had the honor of having my hands on the Alabama's steering wheel at the 9 & 3 position while documenting artifacts at the Navy Yards many decades ago. |
Tango01 | 25 Feb 2021 1:05 p.m. PST |
Good for you!!!… Amicalement Armand
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