The FReeper Foxhole Remembers the Sinking of the C.S.S. Alabama (6/19/1864) - June 19th, 2003

http://www.history.navy.mil/docs/civilwar/64-6-19.htm ^ | Thread work by SAMWolf

[SAMWolf]

CSS Alabama Sinking the USS Hatteras off Galveston, Texas.

Source: U.S. Navy Photographic Center

Caption: "THE CAPTURE OF THE U.S. MAIL STEAMER ARIEL, CAPT. JONES, OFF THE EAST END OF CUBA, BY THE PIRATE ALABAMA (290), CAPT. SEMMES, DECEMBER 7.--FROM A SCETCH BY MR. R.C. THOMAS, FIRST OFFICER OF THE ARIEL.

Source: Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, Jan. 10, 1863.

[SAMWolf]

Sinking of CSS Alabama "A Challenge Accepted" June 19, 1864

Three days after the commerce raider CSS Alabama, much in need of repairs after her 75,000-mile maiden voyage, anchored in the English Channel port of Cherbourg, France, the USS Kearsarge arrived and took up station just outside the harbor, an unmistakable challenge for battle to the Rebel ship's crew. Although the Alabama was in very poor condition, her captain, Raphael Semmes, immediately decided to accept the challenge and began preparing his ship and crew for battle. He sent the captain of the Kearsarge, John A. Winslow, the following message: "... My intention is to fight the Kearsarge as soon as I can make the necessary arrangements. I beg she will not depart before I am ready to go out."

Sunday morning, June 19, 1864, the Alabama steamed out of the harbor escorted by a French warship whose job it was to ensure the two ships did not battle inside France's three-mile-limit. Winslow turned the Kearsarge seaward and steamed, with the Alabama following, another three or four miles past the limit to be sure neither ship could break off the fight and escape to neutral waters. Then he turned and came straight toward the Alabama. The two ships began circling clockwise in ever-smaller circles, raking each other with broadsides from their starboard guns. The Kearsarge's 11-inch guns wreaked havoc on the Alabama, whose decks were soon covered with dead and wounded men. The Alabama's guns were smaller than her foe's, and her ammunition had become defective during her 22-month voyage; consequently, little damage was caused to the Kearsarge. By the seventh circle the Alabama was hurt badly: water poured into her hold from holes punched in the hull, and she listed to starboard. Semmes struck his colors and at 12:24pm, after 90 minutes of battle, the Alabama disappeared beneath the waves. The Kearsarge had three casualties. Half of the Alabama's 43 casualties were killed or drowned.

Fascinating Fact: Semmes, 14 officers, and 24 crew were saved from Union prisons by the Deerhound, an English yacht that sailed out to watch the battle. The owner of the yacht plucked the Confederates from the water and delivered them safely to England.

[Darksheare]

That was an altogether different time in warfare, as evidenced by the men firing broadsides at each other, some from unprotected decks.

That's either brave, or insane.
I'd lay money on brave.

[snippy_about_it]

Determined for sure!

[SCDogPapa]

I'd lay money on brave.

Brave says it all. Men of a different era. They danced to a different drummer. No offence ment to the fighting men and women of today.

[snippy_about_it]

I think ours are just as brave. It's just different time different tactics, the heart of our American men hasn't changed, not the ones that count. :)

[colorado tanker]

Sam I sure wasn't taught much about the naval war. Thanks for correcting one of the deficiencies in my public school education. :)

[SAMWolf]

You're welcome Colorado Tanker.

The only reason I even remembered this was that I built a modle of the KEARSAGE in High School

[Darksheare]

Yes.
I agree, and no offense taken by this young "Gun Bunny".
It really was a different era, with duifferent 'mores' and different thinking.

Back then, men stood up when a woman entered the room as well as opened the door for them.
Pulled chairs out for them, and pushed the chairs back in once women were seated.

And in war, men blazed away at each other from spitting distance without much in the way of pity or concern.
They would have shrugged at us and our modern 'concerns' about war and said, "But, that's war."

For all we've gained over the years, we've lost so much.
(On a semi-related side note, a man will be told he's sexually harrassing a woman for holding the door open for her. Personal experience.)

[snopercod]

My jaw stayed dropped for almost an hour when I saw that story on the History Channel. I read a lot, and had never heard the name "Rohna", ever.

People here say that if TW800 had been shot down by the US military (Personally, I don't believe it), that such a thing could not be covered up. Somebody would talk.

The Rohna sinking and subsequent coverup proves otherwise.

[snippy_about_it]

Back then, men stood up when a woman entered the room as well as opened the door for them. Pulled chairs out for them, and pushed the chairs back in once women were seated.

(On a semi-related side note, a man will be told he's sexually harrassing a woman for holding the door open for her. Personal experience.)

Hold on a minute. If you meet a woman that doesn't still expect this and even worse is offended by it then she isn't worth your time or courtesy.

I know the boys in my family, including my young 20 year old nephew were raised this way and he better stand up when a woman walks in a room and all the other things you mention. (I know he does he's a good boy)

It still happens, thank goodness. I know where I work there are still young and not so young men that will let me enter and exit the elevator first and I appreciate the gester and yes, I still expect it and consider it rude if it's not done. < /rant>

[Darksheare]

Yes.
It's just that 'modern women' are being deluded into thinking that such courtesy is the equivalent of being groped and harrassed.

I've been thanked by women older than I ONLY.
Not a single woman my age or younger says thank you for such courtesy.
(Only in RARER and rarer occasions where they feel obligated to say it, grudgingly.)
Sad commentary on the state of our youth these days.
Sad that I am considered an anachronism.. *Tsk tsk.. pitying look towards todays 'youth'*

[snippy_about_it]

Take heart, I don't see that here in the midwest. Perhaps it's because you are in the east?

[Darksheare]

Possible.
Here in the east it's considered fashionable and socially acceptable by young women these days to go out and sleep with as many men as they can.
It's the delusion that is mantra drilled into our children's heads in school here these days, "Don't think I'm a cheap tramp just because I dress this way and see as much action as the average prostitute."

I guess I'm too old fashioned, even for being only 28.
It seems that even when I was growing up was a 'different' time.
So maybe, maybe it is just an "east coast and California" thing right now.

Hopefully you're right.

[snippy_about_it]

Don't ever change. :)

[Darksheare]

I try not to.
Just wish more people were as anachronistic as myself about things.
Maybe society would be more 'polite' then.

('Course, If there were still duels, people would be less inclined to do injury to another person, if it might cost them their life.)

[snippy_about_it]

Thank you SAM for the added information.

[HiJinx]

Pukin Dog, this is an open invitation to visit the Foxhole whenever you want to peruse some military history. SAMWolf, snippy_about_it, and the rest of the crew will make you feel at home whenever you're here.

[snippy_about_it]

Jinxy, I saw your tagline about the monsoons the other day and thought of this one for you. lol.

Break Time!

[HiJinx]

Good one, Ms. Snippy...I like the instrumentation and their use of minor chords.

Busy day...I'll try to get back later.

Check post #58, you may want to see his FR Home page...I 'met' PD on another thread this afternoon and am impressed.