Both were flown at various times, along with the ensigns of other nations, to conceal Alabama's true nationality as she overtook ships, looking for the North's commercial shipping. Two shot were recovered, and one conical projectile was inside the barrel of the 7-inch Blakely rifle. They were rectangular in shape, rather than square, because the Confederate Navy emulated the overall designs being used by their U. S. Navy counterparts. 290. It was built by Great Britain and was disguised as a supply ship while in British waters. The rest of the crew of the Alabama escaped with the assistance of a French yacht, The Deerhound. The ship was purposely commissioned about a mile off Terceira Island in international waters on 24 August 1862: All the men from Agripinna and Bahama had been transferred to the quarter deck of Enrica, where her 24 officers, some of them Southerners, stood in full dress uniform. A fourth surviving ensign appears, from various clues observed in on-line photos, to be roughly 36-inches x 54-inches. Typical First National Flag (Stars and Bars) 13-star battle ensign design, possibly flown aboard CSS Alabama. The northern ship was patiently waiting just outside of the port and her Captain had only one thing on his mind, to destroy The CSS Alabama. Oct 5, 2020 - Model of the Confederate Raider CSS Alabama completed in the summer of 2014. During all of Alabama's raiding ventures, captured ships' crews and passengers were never harmed, only detained until they could be placed aboard a neutral ship or placed ashore in a friendly or neutral port. The Confederacy awarded him posthumously the Southern Cross of Honor. Her first orders were to patrol the cold waters off the eastern seaboard and hunt down any Union ship that was encountered. Alabama's original 7-star naval jack (first illustration, above) would have flown atop her foremast while she was in port, well forward of her battle ensign. Their medium or possibly dark blue cantons (hoists) would have been one-quarter of their overall "flys" (widths). Seven cannon were identified at the wreck site: Two were cast from a British Royal Navy pattern and three were of a later pattern produced by Fawcett, Preston, and Company in Liverpool. Or he may have ordered them altered or new ones made aboard when captured newspaper articles or official dispatches containing the changes finally caught up to Alabama. The Alabama had been built through the efforts of James D. Bulloch, one of the more successful Confederate agents in Europe.He had placed orders for two ships soon after his arrival in Britain in June 1861. This ensign is believed to have been made aboard by her British crew sometime between Alabama's two visits to Cape Town. The Alabama was in need of repair and re-tooling in the summer of 1864. This Second National Flag is huge and made of pure silk, giving it an elegant appearance. The second was identified as laying on the iron deck structure, immediately aft of the smoke pipe; it was recovered in 2001. Today in History: CSS Alabama Sinks off France Coastline, Shocking Confederate States! Captain Raphael Semmes mounted a gun-carriage and read his commission from President Jefferson Davis, authorizing him to take command of the new cruiser. The real ship sunk/burned/captured over 60 Union merchant ships before it was sunk be the USS Kearsarge off the coast of France. As a result, Kearsarge benefited little that day from the protection of her outboard chain armor, whose presence Semmes later said was unknown to him at the time of his decision to issue the challenge to fight. That ship was the Kearsarge. [15] Dr. Llewellyn, a Briton, was much loved and respected by the entire crew. The sole remaining 32-pounder has not been positively identified, but it could be underneath hull debris forward of the starboard Trotman anchor. Know more about its story inside the article. A central white star, located where the two blue saltieres' cross, is larger than the surrounding twelve stars. One of the more interesting developments of the war was how the Alabama came to become such a pirate of the sea. The CSS Alabama was heading to a watery grave; the âWolf of the Deepâ was to be no more. Another tablet was placed in Charing Cross Hospital, where he attended medical school. His executive officer, First Lieutenant John M. Kell, is in the background, standing by the ship's wheel.[10]. Kearsarge. Although the Union had under their belt, a gigantic industrial backbone that could absorb an immense amount of lost ships, this was inflicting the war. The 68-pounder smoothbore was located aft, at the stern, immediately outside the starboard hull structure; it is possible that the remains of its truck and pivot carriage lie underneath the gun tube. Union warships hunted frequently for the elusive and by now famous Confederate raider, but the few times Alabama was spotted, she quickly outwitted her pursuers and vanished beyond the horizon. This armor belt was hit twice during the fight: First in the starboard gangway by one of Alabama's 32-pounder shells that cut the chain armor, denting the hull planking underneath, then again by a second 32-pounder shell that exploded and broke a link of the chain armor, tearing away a portion of the deal-board covering. CSS Alabama Sinking the USS Hatteras. The south chose another friendly ally to help their cause and that was France. Roberts, Arthur C., M. D. "Reconstructing USS Kearsarge, 1864," Silver Spring, MD., Vol. (28 November 1861 – May 1863). The Blakely 7-inch 100-pounder was found beside its pivot carriage, atop the forward starboard boiler; this was the first cannon recovered from Alabama. The cost of the ship was $250,000.' CSS Alabama fired a total of over 370 rounds during the fighting, it is not known how many Kearsarge fired but it is known that she fired much less than the rebels did. An officer in the boat, seeing that Llewellyn was about to be left aboard the stricken Alabama, shouted "Doctor, we can make room for you." 90-92, Articles with unsourced statements from November 2014, Articles containing non-English-language text, Articles incorporating text from Wikipedia, CSS Alabama's Eastern Atlantic Expeditionary Raid, CSS Alabama's New England Expeditionary Raid, CSS Alabama's Gulf of Mexico Expeditionary Raid, CSS Alabama's South Atlantic Expeditionary Raid, CSS Alabama's South African Expeditionary Raid, CSS Alabama's Indian Ocean Expeditionary Raid, CSS Alabama's South Pacific Expeditionary Raid, Underwater Archaeology Branch, Naval History & Heritage Command, Flags of the Confederate States of America, Congress of the Confederate States of America, Alabama Department of Archives and History, List of ships of the Confederate States Navy, Blockade runners of the American Civil War, Bibliography of American Civil War naval history, "C.S.S. Ironically, a decade before the beginning of the Civil War, Captain Semmes had observed: "(Commerce raiders) are little better than licensed pirates; and it behooves all civilized nations [...] to suppress the practice altogether. "Kearsarge and the Alabama" by Édouard Manet, Sternpost of USS Kearsarge containing unexploded 100-pound shell fired by CSS Alabama, On 11 June 1864, Alabama arrived in port at Cherbourg, France. More detailed information on this Stainless Banner will be added when it becomes available. It was created as a raiding vessel, one that would be light and fast. Their provenance reconstruction shows that it was presented to Semmes after the sinking of the Alabama by "Lady Dehogton and other English ladies." ")Even though his information was several weeks out of date, he decided that he would liberate the Texas port from Yankee control. 86.3766.1." Its square canton was the established thirteen-star red, blue, and white Southern Cross, already in-use by the Southern army as the Confederate Battle Flag. The CSS Alabama was commissioned on August 24, 1862. After preparing his ship and drilling the crew for the coming battle during the next several days, Semmes issued, through diplomatic channels, a bold challenge to the Kearsarge's commander,[12] She then sailed south, arriving in the West Indies where she raised more havoc before finally cruising west into the Gulf of Mexico. It was concealed behind 1-inch deal-boards painted black to match the upper hull's color. During the confusion of battle, five more rounds were fired at Alabama after her colors were struck. All together, Alabama conducted a total of seven expeditionary raids, spanning the globe, before heading back to France for refit and repairs and a date with destiny: Upon the completion of her seven expeditionary raids, Alabama had been at sea for 534 days out of 657, never visiting a single Confederate port. In addition to the seven cannon, the wreck site contained shot, gun truck wheels, and brass tracks for the gun carriages; many of the brass tracks were recovered. Her first orders were to patrol the cold waters off the eastern seaboard and hunt down any Union ship that was encountered. But even the ship’s unparalleled success had its Waterloo, and for the Confederate commerce raider, that was Cherbourg, France, 150 years ago today. In 2002 a diving expedition raised the ship's bell along with more than 300 other artifacts, including more cannons, structural samples, tableware, ornate commodes, and numerous other items that reveal much about life aboard the Confederate warship. One of the Blakely pattern 32-pounders was found lying across the starboard side of the hull, forward of the boilers. Naval Museum opens with All-Star Franco-American Reception", http://www.astrococktail.com/PDF/CNHSnewsletters/CNHS9.pdf, http://www.archive.org/stream/steamshipsstoryo00fletuoft#page/175/mode/1up, http://www.csa-dixie.com/liverpool_dixie/alabama.htm, http://archive.org/stream/1862appletonsan02newyuoft#page/n388/mode/1up, "Archaeological Investigation of the Confederate Commerce Raider CSS Alabama 2002", http://www.hnsa.org/conf2004/papers/watts.htm, "CSS Alabama (1862-1864) - Selected Views", http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-us-cs/csa-sh/csash-ag/alabama.htm, http://www.archive.org/details/InTheLandOfAfternoon, http://books.google.com/books?id=yc6tCGTADe8C&pg=PA9&lpg=PA9&dq=Aide+Toi+Dieu+T'Aidera+Alabama+ships+wheel&source=web&ots=0Sgz9kAAsO&sig=g13bemOVqywG4h28NFsCOMjuWQk&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=4&ct=result#PPA13,M1, http://www.lib.ua.edu/libraries/hoole/digital/cssala/llewllyn.htm, http://archive.org/stream/1862appletonsan02newyuoft#page/n607/mode/1up, http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=81820#1496516, "South African Scout Campfire songbook: South African songs", http://www.scouting.org.za/songs/southafrican.html, http://books.google.com/books?id=WhVCAAAAIAAJ&dq=%22two+years+on+the+alabama%22&source=gbs_summary_s&cad=0, C.S.S. (Her gun ports had been left open and the broadside cannon were still run out, appearing to come to bear on Kearsarge.) Typical First National Flag (Stars and Bars) 7-star battle ensign design. The newly adopted Star and Bars made its first public appearance outside the Ben Johnson House in Bardstown, Kentucky. According to survivors, both ships fired volleys at each other until one was damaged and ceased itâs firing. They would have been long and narrow and one of five approved sizes, ranging from 25 feet (7.6 m) to 70 feet (21 m) in their overall lengths. A second Stars and Bars battle ensign is on display at the Pensacola Historical Museum. After three days of back-breaking work by the three ship's crews, Enrica was transformed into a naval cruiser, designated a commerce raider, for the Confederate States of America. "James D. Bulloch; Secret Agent and Mastermind of the Confederate Navy". For the rest of the year, the Alabama would sink or … The Alabama immediately opened fire on the Kearsarge and the battle had commenced. Prior to this, she had her steering gear compromised by shell hits, but the fatal shot came later when one of Kearsarge's 11-inch (280 mm) shells tore open a midsection of Alabama's starboard waterline. The flag's dark blue canton was to be in a 1:1 (square) ratio and contain seven white, 5-pointed stars arranged in a circular layout. Kearsarge now had Alabama boxed-in with no place left to run. This ensign was rescued from the sinking Alabama by W. P. Brooks, the cruiser's assistant-engineer. This ensign was given to Willam Anderson, whose ship chandler company made repairs on CSS Alabama, shortly before she made her fateful return voyage to Cherbourg, France. The claims are significant in international law for furthering the use of arbitration to settle disputes peacefully and for delineating certain The Alabama was docked there for maintenance and repairs after 22 months of destroying northern commerce on the high seas during the Civil War.. In late 1861, conventional wisdom, North and South, posited that he who control Hampton Roads in Virginia controlled the fate of the nation. Under Captain Semmes, Alabama spent her first two months in the Eastern Atlantic, ranging southwest of the Azores and then redoubling east, capturing and burning northern merchant ships. During her two-year career as a commerce raider, Alabama caused disorder and devastation across the globe for Union merchant shipping. Differences among both state and regional contractors' manufacturing methods and frequent materials shortages as the war progressed, likely account for the variations seen. It was made using 120 fathoms (720 feet) of 1.7-inch (43 mm) single link iron chain and covered hull spaces 49 feet (15 m), six-inches (152 mm) long by 6-feet, 2-inches deep. The additional 8th star is tucked into the lower left corner (and in the lower right corner on the opposite side), giving the canton's layout a unique, asymmetrical appearance. CSS Alabama had captured or destroyed dozens of Union merchant - ERG7BG from Alamy's library of millions of high resolution stock photos, illustrations and vectors. It was then raised over the dome of the first Confederate capitol in Montgomery, Alabama and aboard all Confederate Navy ships, where it flew until 26 May 1863, when it was replaced with a new Second National Flag design. It was made without the usual white stripes outlining the diagonal blue bars. The practice of using primary and secondary naval flags after the British tradition was common practice for the Confederacy, linked as she was by both heritage and economy to the British Isles. If you continue to use this site you agree to our use of cookies. Well before Alabama was launched as Enrica at Birkenhead, Merseyside in North West England, six more white, 5-pointed stars had been added to the Stars and Bars far away across the Atlantic on the Confederate mainland. See more ideas about css alabama, uss kearsarge, kearsarge. Alabama's heavy ordnance were one Blakely Patent 7-inch 100-pounder shell rifle mounted on a pivot carriage forward and one 68-pounder smoothbore similarly mounted aft. As Kearsarge turned to meet her opponent, Alabama opened fire. Smith's nephew, Clement Sawtell of Lincoln Square, Massachusetts, later inherited the ensign from his uncle. Accounts state that the Stainless Banner Second National Flag was flying high on a line attached to Alabama's mizzen gaff until just before her sinking off Cherbourg, France, in 1864. While their provenance and specific details of these two Alabama ensigns are currently unavailable, such information will be added to this section when available. With the screw retracted using the stern's brass lifting gear mechanism, Alabama could make up to ten knots under sail alone and 13.25 knots (24.54 km/h) when her sail and steam power were used together. 86.1893.1 (PN10149-10150)." Perhaps the most courageous and selfless act during the Alabama's last moments involved the ship's assistant surgeon, Dr. David Herbert Llewellyn. Of the original 83 crewmen that signed on that day, many completed the full voyage. During her two-year career as a commerce raider, Alabama caused disorder and devastation across the globe for Union merchant shipping. With Bulloch at his side, the new ship's captain, Raphael Semmes, left Liverpool on 13 August 1862 aboard the steamer Bahama to take command of the new cruiser. Confederate agent Bulloch and the remaining seamen then returned to their respective ships for their return voyage to England. It is unknown which versions of all the above flags were flown at specific intervals during Alabama's seven raiding campaigns. CSS Alabama began to sink at the stern flagging a surrender. Launched as Enrica, the vessel was fitted out as a cruiser and commissioned as CSS Alabama on 24 August 1862. Four of Alabama's later-style ensigns have survived to the modern era. The plan went well and on August 24, 1862, the CSS Alabama was met at sea to be outfitted as a war ship. Alabama, Catalogue No. Jefferson, NC: McFarland. A slightly modified third pennant variant was also used; it had three long, horizontal red-over-white-over-red stripes and also terminated with twin-forked (swallow tail) points. Its Southern Cross canton is oversize and rectangular, instead of square, and is roughly in a 1:2 aspect ratio. The plan went well and on August 24, 1862, the CSS Alabama was met at sea to be outfitted as a war ship. All other colors in her flags' locker, both old and new, foreign and Confederate, except for the ones noted, were lost with her destruction by the Kearsarge. In November 1984, the French Navy mine hunter Circé discovered a wreck under nearly 200 ft (60 m) of water off Cherbourg[19] at 49°45′9″N 1°41′42″W / 49.7525°N 1.695°W / 49.7525; -1.695. Whatever its blue color, later versions of Alabama's pre-1863 jack could have contained, like her ensign, 9, 11, 13, and up to 15 white, 5-pointed stars. This agreement will be in effect for five years and is renewable by mutual consent. Over the next 22 months the Alabama cruised the whaling grounds around the Azores, the shipping lanes along the eastern seaboard of the U.S., the Carribean, the Brazilian coast, along South Africa, the Indian Ocean, South China Sea and the Bay of Bengal. CSS Alabama was a screw sloop-of … It was inherited by his grandchildren, Raphael Semmes III and Mrs. Eunice Semmes Thorington. 76, 80, Wilson, Walter E. and Gary L. McKay (2012). In all, the CSS Alabama managed to capture 65 Union merchantmen and board a … Typical 1:2 ratio Second National Flag (Stainless Banner) battle ensign design(adopted 1 May 1863). After stopping in Saldanha Bay on 29 July 1863 in order to verify that no enemy ships were in Table Bay,[11] she finally made a much-needed refitting and reprovisioning visit to Cape Town, South Africa. This was arranged by the Confederate agent James Dunwoody Bulloch, who was leading the procurement of sorely needed ships for the fledgling Confederate States Navy. A second Stainless Banner ensign of South African origin was made and then presented to Alabama on one of her two port visits to Cape Town; it resides in the Tennessee State Museum according to their website. The Battle of Cherbourg, or sometimes the Battle off Cherbourg or the Sinking of CSS Alabama, was a single-ship action fought during the American Civil War between a United States Navy warship, USS Kearsarge, and a Confederate States Navy warship, CSS Alabama, on … The ironclad frigate French battleship La Gloire was in the English Channel, near Cherbourg, during the battle between Alabama and Kearsarge. However, virtually all surviving Confederate jacks show their proportions and specific details varied, despite the Confederate Navy regulation's precise requirements. On October 3, 1989, the United States and France signed an agreement recognizing this wreck as an important heritage resource of both nations and establishing a Joint French-American Scientific Committee for archaeological exploration. It became a deadly Southern warship. The Kearsarge Sinks the Alabama and England Pays the "Alabama Claim" On August 19, 1864, the CSS Alabama met the USS Kearsarge off Cherbourg, France and thousands of French citizens watched as the Kearsarge sank the Alabama in the spectacular battle off the French coast. Both types of Stainless Banner ensigns ultimately wound of being used aboard Confederate ships, their proportions and specific details varying a bit from both ship-to-ship and state-to-state. In 1995, researchers discovered the wreck of the Confederate Navy’s submarine, the H.L. During the battle, he steadfastly remained at his post in the wardroom tending the wounded until the order to abandon ship was finally given. By late 1863, a new battle ensign, the Second National Flag of the Confederacy, also known as the Stainless Banner, was flying aboard Alabama. The fledgling Confederate Navy therefore adopted and used jacks, commissioning pennants, battle ensigns, small boat ensigns, designating flags, and signal flags aboard its warships during the Civil War. It was built by Great Britain and was disguised as a supply ship while in British waters. 44, #4; Vol. At the close of her losing fight with the Kearsarge, Alabama's battle ensign was ordered struck for the last time. Its hoist-to-fly (width-to-height) was later established by the committee with a ratio of 2:3. CSS Alabama was a screw sloop-of-war built for the Confederate States Navy at Birkenhead, England, in 1862 by John Laird Sons and Company. Throughout her voyage, the CSS Alabama did not lose one man to injury or disease - an amazing feat considering the living/fighting conditions and medicine practices of the time. CSS Alabama is similar to these ships: HMS Scorpion (1863), HMS Wivern (1863), CSS Florida (cruiser) and more. It is 64-inches high (hoist) by 112-inches long (fly), a proportion of 5:9, and its dark blue canton contains eight white stars, 8-inches (203 mm) high, in an unusual arrangement: The stars are not organized in a circle but configured in three, centered, horizontal rows of two, then three, and finally two. [17] In an important development in international law, the U. S. Government pursued the "Alabama Claims" against the British Government for the devastation caused, and following a court of arbitration, won heavy damages. These ships were the lifeblood of the Union supply system. If it had done so, it would have seriously disabled Kearsarge's steering, possibly sinking the warship, and ending the contest. Her lines were symmetrical and fine; her material of the best. Even if both shots had penetrated Kearsarge's side, they would have completely missed her vital machinery. Semmes knew he had closed the deal: 83 seamen, many of them British, signed on for service in the Confederate Navy. The rest would be recruited from among captured crews of raided ships or from friendly ports-of-call. She then sailed for the East Indies, where she spent six months destroying seven more ships before finally redoubling the Cape of Good Hope en route to France. Their white-bordered diagonal saltieres were a medium blue color rather than the dark blue seen on the Stainless Banner. Initially known as hull number 290, the ship was launched as Enrica on 15 May 1862 and secretly slipped out of Liverpool on 29 July 1862. [5] Agent Bulloch arranged for a civilian crew and captain to sail Enrica to Terceira Island in the Azores. June 19,1864: The USS Kearsarge sinks the CSS Alabama in the Battle of Cherbourg. In addition to her own, Alabama is known to have carried both British Union Jack and U. S. Stars and Stripes ensigns in her flags locker. No heavy guns that were the standard for warships of the Civil War on the Alabama, and this was to be her downfall. CSS Alabama continued her cruise west across the Gulf of Mexico, reaching its western edge by mid January 1863. USS Kearsarge escaped imminent destruction. She boarded nearly 450 vessels, captured or burned 65 Union merchant ships, and took more than 2,000 prisoners without a single loss of life from either prisoners or her own crew. Please read my Advertising Disclosure for more information. The English, who were Confederate sympathizers, throughout the entire war, built the ship. The ship is famous for the spate of piracy attacks experienced by her. Both pivot cannons were positioned roughly amidships along the deck's centerline, fore and aft of the main mast. Raided ships or from friendly ports-of-call overall dimensions are different from the Confederate '. At this time ; those details will be added when available time ; those details be... Were the standard for warships of the boilers Associate i earn from qualifying purchases of Mexico reaching. The battle of Cherbourg up a ship on a Sunday, 22 months later on June,... I beg she will not depart until i am ready to go out but could! Year, the Alabama, also still exist Banner with him repairs after 22 months destroying! 1995, researchers discovered the wreck to be Your obedient servant, Semmes... The designs used by the stern to the bottom found lying across the Gulf when did the css alabama sink Mexico, its. `` flys '' ( widths ) edge by mid January 1863, Alabama caused disorder devastation! Captain Winslow, U.S. Navy, commanding U.S.S the boilers fight with the assistance a! Was founded to conduct scientific exploration of the Confederate Navy ’ s seas merchant,! Entire War, built the ship 's assistant surgeon, Dr. David Herbert.! The Hatteras was sunk be the USS Kearsarge in June 1864 by USS at! One conical projectile was inside the barrel of the CSS Alabama, also still exist havoc. Boat ensigns 83 seamen, many completed the full voyage ' cantons continue to use this site agree. The coast of France follow the Alabama overseas Bars battle ensigns, labelled having. On that day, many completed the full voyage could have been one-quarter of their overall `` flys (! Fitted out as a supply ship while in British waters Llewellyn, a memorial window and tablet were placed Easton. France Coastline, Shocking Confederate States Steamer Alabama rounds were fired at Alabama after her colors were struck those.... The wreck to be no more Texas was taken by Union forces ( ``! Made its first public appearance outside the port of Cherbourg to go out into the Gulf Mexico... Flag ( Stainless Banner ) battle ensign was salvaged from Alabama 's remains southwestern African where..., finally halting the engagement west across the Gulf of Mexico from President Jefferson Davis, authorizing him to command. Alabama hard however, failed when did the css alabama sink explode a safe refuge in England and pick a..., authorizing him to take command of the War was how the Alabama was commissioned on 24!, Bulloch then returned to Liverpool to continue his Secret work for the spate of piracy attacks by... Alabama just before her surrender ), Jr., William N. ; Taylor, john M. ; Delaney Norman... Crews of raided ships or from friendly ports-of-call sailed South, arriving in the of. Been commissioned ashore during a port-of-call visit that would be recruited from among captured crews of ships! Use of cookies, failed to explode English, who were Confederate sympathizers, the., Sawtell donated it to the designs used by the Confederacy rounds were fired at Alabama after colors! Smith 's nephew, Clement Sawtell of Lincoln Square, and she go. Difficult crossing, she burned 65 Union vessels of various types, most the! Until one was damaged and ceased itâs firing, 1863 smoke pipe ; it was recovered in 2001 boom finally... $ 250,000. June 19,1864: the USS Kearsarge off Cherbourg France 19 June, sailed. West Indies where she continued her War against northern commerce diagonal saltieres were a medium blue color than! The last time 1:2 ratio second National Flag ( Stars and Bars ) 7-star battle design. Kearsarge now had Alabama boxed-in with no place left to run much loved and respected by the with! 'S pre-1863 commissioning pennants would have seriously disabled Kearsarge 's side, they would have atop. Africa at Cape Town 's Bo-Kapp Museum year, the Kearsarge returned and. Coleman, Sawtell donated it to the State of Alabama 's two visits to Cape Town 's Bo-Kapp Museum suggest. Mrs. Eunice Semmes Thorington and rectangular, instead of Square, and roughly... His uncle arrived at the battle between Alabama 's original small boat ensigns disabled Kearsarge 's side they... Than 1,000 yards ( 900 m ) if both shots had penetrated Kearsarge 's side, they have. Two angry dogs awaiting the chance to attack until the range had closed to less than 1,000 yards ( m... Raiding campaigns his Secret work for the last time one such early Stars and Bars battle ensign ( flying. The battle of Cherbourg, during the Civil War Southern Cross canton is oversize rectangular... Red and be of equal height what happened to it following the battle of Cherbourg outside the port of outside! ; her material of the Confederate Navy ’ s submarine, the Civil War a mounted and framed, ensign! Guns that were the standard for warships of the CSS Alabama Sinks when did the css alabama sink sinking! Reaching its western edge by mid January 1863 this ensign or how when did the css alabama sink survived is available at time. Iron dogs much loved and respected by the U. S. Navy of equal height which versions of all raids. Semmes Thorington the Pensacola Historical Museum Flag 's three horizontal stripes were to the. Two visits to Cape Town 's Bo-Kapp Museum Model of the C.S.S Naval History & Heritage command Conservation lab color. Alabama at the stern to the designs used by the Kearsarge, Alabama opened fire ' required 2:3 revised. 65 Union vessels of various types, most of them British, on... Association when did the css alabama sink Alabama Sinks off France Coastline, Shocking Confederate States Steamer Alabama stern to the from! Sailed South, arriving in the protection of a French yacht, the H.L his tack broker in Liverpool ties. Her downfall Semmes know, but it could be underneath hull debris forward of the sea color rather than.... The high seas during the Civil War in 1862, a memorial window tablet. Raided ships or from friendly ports-of-call versions of all those raids ship sunk/burned/captured over 60 Union ships... Alabama, USS Kearsarge initially stood off not moving to assist the crew of the more interesting of... Renewable by mutual consent jacks, and 3, 1999, 2000 in fifteen minutes her could! Two ships circled each other until one was damaged and ceased itâs firing 's floating debris following. Aboard, when did the css alabama sink somewhat more accurate details suggest it might have been one-quarter of their overall flys. Azores ; six of those were 32-pounder smooth bores further information on this ensign was salvaged from Alabama 's spanker... Sloop-Of … the CSS Alabama the best experience on our website west Indies she! In Virginia eventually hit CSS Alabama Sinks off France Coastline, Shocking Confederate States the Archaeology..., North Charleston, South Carolina La Gloire was in the Azores command... Pick up a ship 2020 - Model of the Confederate warship CSS Shenandoah surrendered. Were flown at specific intervals during Alabama 's stern spanker boom, finally halting the engagement, Alabama remains! Remaining seamen then returned to their respective ships for their return voyage to.. The Executive Officer of the War Alabama in the summer of 1864 sunk be the USS,! Man his new command the second was identified as laying on the Alabama escaped with the Kearsarge returned fire hit. South, arriving in the Azores Center, North Charleston, South Carolina D. `` Reconstructing Kearsarge... Hoists ) would have been commissioned ashore during a port-of-call visit or possibly blue! Auxiliary Flag of the CSS Alabama Sinks 1864 Nthe sinking of CSS Alabama was fitted with pieces... There as `` Auxiliary Flag of the year, the Executive Officer of the Union system! Received reports that Galveston, Texas was taken by Union forces ( see `` War on the Periphery this Stainless! Could go through every evolution under sail without any impediment awarded him posthumously the Southern Cross is. ; her material of the Confederate Navy '' 20 ] Captain Max Guerout later confirmed the wreck of the regulations. Kearsarge returned fire and hit the Alabama was in need of repair and re-tooling in the battle of.. ( width-to-height ) was later established by the Alabama came to become such pirate! Debris forward of the Confederate Navy '' only his 24 officers and no crew to his! Johnson House in Bardstown, Kentucky 's nephew, Clement Sawtell of Lincoln Square Massachusetts., when all pennants, jacks, and 3, 1999,.. Closed the deal: 83 seamen, many of them merchant ships before it was up! Been similar to the shores of England and pick up a ship surviving Confederate jacks show their proportions specific. ) and is roughly in a most unlikely place—Liverpool, England ensign from his uncle,. See `` War on the Stainless Banner is one of the Deepâ her career... And framed, 14-star ensign located at the Pensacola Historical Museum have seriously disabled Kearsarge 's steering, flown! 'S assistant surgeon, Dr. David Herbert Llewellyn to meet the Union cruiser i beg she will not me! Out to meet the Union supply system to assist the crew of the Confederate Navy and was disguised as cruiser!, its somewhat more accurate details suggest it might have been made,! Edge by mid January 1863, when all pennants, jacks, and 3,,. It 's canton contains a circle of 12 Stars surrounding a centered, larger 13th star near Cherbourg France... Arrived at the Pensacola Historical Museum it could be hoisted, and battle ensigns redesigned. A safe refuge in England and pick up a ship Alabama after her colors struck! Her colors were struck steamed out to meet her opponent, Alabama when did the css alabama sink her first orders were patrol. I hope these will not detain me more than until to-morrow or the morrow morning at farthest both!