Posted on 07/14/2005 10:35:41 AM PDT by nickcarraway
MOBILE, Ala. - The 7,000-pound main battery pivot gun of the Confederate sea raider CSS Alabama has been recovered from the bottom of the English Channel, where the vessel was sunk 141 years ago by a Union warship, a project spokesman said.
The cannon was brought to the surface by the French naval vessel Elan, said Gordon Watts, an underwater archaeologist from North Carolina who is overseeing the project. Watts told the Mobile Register in a story Tuesday that French divers and American archaeologists recovered the cannon Saturday about 7 miles off the coast of Cherbourg, France, in 200 feet of water.
He said the cannon will be placed in a specially constructed container and shipped to the U.S. for conservation. A project supporter in Mobile said it will be taken to the underwater archaeology lab at Texas A&M University.
The CSS Alabama attacked Union merchant ships around the world during the U.S. Civil War. It was sunk in a battle with the USS Kearsarge off the French coast.
burlywood -- only part of the Alabama's crew was British. The English were supposed to be neutral during the Civil War. But you are correct, Brits fought bravely with their Confederate mates on board the CSS Alabama.
AnAmericanMother -- found this the site below which is dedicated to your brave Bulloch relatives:
List of the Alabama's Victims. Which is why Bulloch's ship is regarded as "greatest commerce raider of all time."
Britain had been claiming neutrality throughout the war. Later a crewman turned against the CSA and signed a formal affidavit giving rise to the now famous diplomatic dispute. The British were forced to pay $ 15.5 million in damages to the U.S.
CSS Alabama ping
I like it!
Afrikaans looks like a cross between Plattdeutsch and Dutch . . . I can actually read it, much to my amazement. (I do read High German and Plattdeutsch)
My lineal ancestors, on the other hand, were hauling around artillery and riding horses on dry land.
Didn't President Bush nominate him to an Appeals Court? :)
Dixie Ping?
dixieping
After the Alabama sank the USS Hatteras off the coast of Texas on Jan 11, 1863, some California miners from Southern states named the area of their claims, in the shadow of Mt. Whitney, the Alabama Hills.
When news reached the area that the Kearsarge had sunk the Alabama another group of miners with opposing sympathies promptly registered the area of their claims as the Kearsarge Mining District.
The mining camp and growing town became Kearsarge City. A nearby pass through the high Sierras became Kearsarge Pass.
The taunting did not stop there. Soon a prominent peak in the area was named Kearsarge Peak and a ridge of rocky crags became Kearsarge Pinnacles, rising majestically over Kearsarge Lakes.
Of course the Navy maintained the tradition of ships named Kearsarge. The current, and fourth namesake, is an amphibious assault ship. The USS Kearsarge puts the Marines' unique brand of chaos wherever freedom is at risk.
The Alabama Hills, in the Owens Valley near Lone Pine, CA.
Kearsarge Pinnacles overlooking Kearsarge Lakes. Hiking access via 11,760 foot Kearsarge Pass by way of Onion Valley road, terminating at a 9,200 foot campground.
The USS Kearsarge, delivering United States Marines worldwide.
Great pix. Salute!
It is a very good series, as is the Turtledove series "the Great War." And if you haven't read his "Guns of the South," you better.
Howzabout something in English?
"ROLL ALABAMA ROLL!"
When the Alabama Keel was laid
Roll Alabama Roll
It was laid in the yard of Jonathan Laird
Oh! Roll Alabama Roll
It was laid in the yard of Jonathan Laird
Roll Alabama Roll
It was laid in the town of Birkenhead
Oh! Roll Alabama Roll
Down the Mersey Way she rolled then
Roll Alabama Roll
Liverpool fitted her with Guns and Men
Oh! Roll Alabama Roll
From the Western Isles she sailed forth
Roll Alabama Roll
To destroy the commerce of the North
Oh! Roll Alabama Roll
To Cherbourg Port she sailed one day
Roll Alabama Roll
To take her count of prize money
Oh! Roll Alabama Roll
Many a Sailor lad foresaw his doom
Roll Alabama Roll
When the Kersage move in view
Oh! Roll Alabama Roll
A Ball from the forward pivot that day
Roll Alabama Roll
Shot the Alabama's Stern away
Oh! Roll Alabama Roll
Up the three mile limit in 64
Roll Alabama Roll
The Alabama Sank to the Ocean floor
Oh! Roll Alabama Roll
When the Alabama's Keel was laid
Roll Alabama Roll
It was laid in the yard of Jonathan Laird
Roll Roll Alabama Roll
Interesting historical sidebar. Thanks for posting.
I think Arthur C. Clarke once quipped (something to the effect of) "Dutch Afrikaans is the only known language which bruises listeners when spoken."
I always thought that was funny.
Great story! I drove through the Owens Valley 2 years ago, but I missed out on the great backstory to the place names. I 'm certain I drove right past the Alabama Hills!
BTW, a very inspirational profile page . . . thank you sir.
One of my favorite chapters in the Civil War: taking out the guns before they can be aimed at you.
The cannon was brought to the surface by the French naval vessel Elan
Which promptly surrendered.
"ROLL ALABAMA ROLL!"
When the Alabama Keel was laid ... .
That's a pretty little tune, [mp3 link]somewhere between a seaman's chanty and a dirge- which seems appropriate.
But in English? Well, sort of....
Hoe sê jy dit in Afrikaans? Obviously, A.C.C. never had a Finnish girlfriend.
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