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The following account of the cruise of the two Confederate States steamers—Sumter and Alabama—is taken from the private journals and other papers of Captain Semmes. It has been found necessary occasionally to adopt a narrative form, but the endeavour has been throughout to adhere as closely as possible to that officer's own words. Information has also been most kindly afforded by other officers of the two vessels, and especially Lieutenant R.F. Armstrong, and Master's Mate G. Townley Fullam, fro
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CHAPTER I.
CHAPTER I.
The Question at issue—An unexpected point of attack—Captain Semmes—The President's instructions—Creating a navy—From the old to the new—An important mission—Appointed to the Sumter—True character of the Confederate "pirate." The President of the American States in Confederation was gathering an army for the defence of Southern liberty. Where valour is a national inheritance, and an enthusiastic unanimity prevails, this will not prove a difficult task. It is otherwise with the formation of a navy
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CHAPTER II.
CHAPTER II.
The Sumter formerly the Savannah packet-ship—Captain Semmes joins and assumes command—Altering the vessel—Vexatious delays—The war begins—The river blockaded—Crew of the Sumter—Dropping down the river—An attempt—No pilots—Vigorous action—Sumter still at her anchors—Lamps removed from lighthouses—More enemy's ships—Orders on board the Sumter—False hopes—The 30th of June—A courageous pilot—The escape of the Sumter—The chase—The enemy baffled. The little vessel which now constituted the whole stren
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CHAPTER III.
CHAPTER III.
Beginning the cruise—The first prize the Golden Rocket—The capture burnt—The Cuba and Machias—Cienfuegos—The Ben Dunning and Albert Adams—Three at once: the West Wind, the Naiad, and the Louisa Kilham—A fleet of prizes—Saluting the Confederate States' flag—At Cuba—Strict neutrality—A prize agent—The Governor-General of Cuba—Recapture by the United States—An accident to the commander—A gale—At Curaçao—The Dutch Governor—An ex-president in difficulties—The Abby Bradford—Venezuela—An inhospitable p
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CHAPTER IV.
CHAPTER IV.
Excitement—Taking the bull by the horns—official visits—H.M.S. Cadmus—Captain Semmes' commission—At sea again—A dull time—Wind and current hostile—Cayenne—French politeness—False hopes—At Paramaribo—A hot pursuit—A loyal Yankee—Doubtful security—Not to be beaten—To sea again—A parting arrow . The arrival of the Sumter at Port of Spain appeared to create no small excitement among the inhabitants, official and non-official, of that little colony. The Governor at once proceeded to take legal opinio
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CHAPTER V.
CHAPTER V.
Leave Paramaribo—Across the equator—A day of misfortunes—On a sandbank—A narrow escape—Maranham—A Yankee protest—Bold assertions—A visit to the President—News—False alarms—Paying bills—A patriot—Off again—A prize—The Joseph Park—News of Bull Run—A sad birthday. A whole month had thus been lost through the failure of the Sumter's coal off the mouth of the Amazon. News, too, had been received at Paramaribo that six or seven large fast steamers were in hot pursuit; and as it was not likely that all
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CHAPTER VI.
CHAPTER VI.
A dull time—"Sail, oh-h-h!"—An exciting chase—No prize—A gale—Jack's holiday—A new cruising-ground—Dead calm—An enlightened Frenchman—A near thing—Patience!—The Daniel Trowbridge—A lucky haul—In closer—Double Duns—The prize schooner's revenge—Good news from home—An apology—In hopes of a fight—Disappointment—The West India station—Another blank—Martinique . Another dull time now set in. On the 28th September the prize crew were recalled from the Joseph Park, which, after doing duty for some hours
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CHAPTER VII.
CHAPTER VII.
A French governor—At church—Visitors—On shore—Prisoners released—Coaling difficulties—Sympathy for the South—A glass of grog!—St. Pierre—Curiosity—The Iroquois—An attempt to intimidate—L'Acheron—Yankee notion of neutrality—Masquerading —Preparations for a fight—The marine league—The Trent outrage—On the watch—Violation of rights—A bold attempt—Success . Saturday, Nov. 9th .—Weather fine during the morning. At daylight, got up steam and stood in for the land northward of Fort St. Louis' Bay, runn
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CHAPTER VIII.
CHAPTER VIII.
Again at sea—Two captures—The Montmorency—The Arcade—Eastward, ho!—The Vigilant taken—News from home—Dirty weather—The whale—Ebenezer Dodge—In irons—A cyclone—The gale rages —Fire!—Christmas day—No luck—The clank of the pumps—Cadiz . Once more afloat on the open sea; and at 4 P.M. of Monday November 25th, a promising commencement was made in the capture of the fine ship Montmorency, of 1183 tons, laden with Welsh coal for the English Mail Packet service. And, fortunately so for her, or she would
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CHAPTER IX.
CHAPTER IX.
Cadiz harbour—Notice to quit—Local authorities—Wisdom—The Queen of Spain—Docked—Under repair—Deserters—The honour of the flag—The Neapolitan—The Investigator—Gibraltar—Official visits—Up the rock—A legend—Neutrality again—Consular diplomacy—Blockaded—The Tusoarora—Seven in pursuit. During the stay of the Sumter at Cadiz, and her subsequent arrival at Gibraltar, Captain Semmes made the entries in his Journal which will be found in this chapter. Saturday, January 4th .—Harbour of Cadiz—ancient Gad
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CHAPTER X.
CHAPTER X.
The Tangier difficulty—Loyalty of United States Consuls—A daring act—Imprisonment of the two Confederates—Captain Semmes' appeal—No results—An armed force from the Ino—Threatened rescue—Neutrality again—Foreign Office intelligence—The Harvest Home—Garnered. The imprisonment of the two gentlemen alluded to at the conclusion of the last chapter, is an episode in the history of the Sumter which demands something more than mere passing notice. When the news of the occurrence reached England it excit
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CHAPTER XI.
CHAPTER XI.
" The poor old Sumter"—The vessel laid up—What the Sumter did—Official report—A narrow escape—Movements of Captain Semmes—Useful missions—Appointment to the Alabama . Meanwhile the search for coal had been continued by the Sumter and at length a promise of a supply had been obtained. It so happened, however, that this supply, so long sought and so hardly won, would after all never be required. The little Sumter's days as a cruiser were numbered. By no means a new boat when first converted by Cap
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CHAPTER XII.
CHAPTER XII.
The new vessel—Aide toi et Dieu t'aidera—Accommodation on board—Cost—Laws of neutrality—Necessary caution—The 29th of July—A breakfast party—The scene changed—Off—The pursuit—Too late. The vessel to which Captain Semmes was now appointed had been built expressly for the Confederate navy, by Messrs. Laird and Sons, of Birkenhead. She was a small fast screw steam-sloop, of 1040 tons register, not iron-clad, as was at one time erroneously supposed, but built entirely of wood, and of a scantling and
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CHAPTER XIII.
CHAPTER XIII.
"No. 290" at sea—The rendezvous—Small mishaps—Good qualities of the new ship—Nearly discovered—The captain—Terceira—Anxiety about the crew—Coaling and arming—Getting to rights—Ready for the cruise . "No. 290" ran rapidly before the S.W. gale up the Irish Channel, and past the Isle of Man and Ailsa Crag, till as the columns of the Giant's Causeway began to loom dimly through the driving rain she rounded to, laid her maintopsail to the mast, and sent a boat on shore with the pilot and Captain Bull
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CHAPTER XIV.
CHAPTER XIV.
Sunday, 24th August—Fairly afloat—Taking command—The white ensign—Mission of the Alabama—The Modern Tar—At the pumps—Blowing hard—A fruitless chase—Short-handed—The Ocmulgee . Sunday seemed destined from the very first to be a notable day in the annals of the new Confederate cruiser. The morning of Sunday, the 24th August, found her afloat ready for sea; the delicate operation of transhipping stores in an open roadstead safely accomplished, a supply of coal on board sufficient for some weeks of
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CHAPTER XV.
CHAPTER XV.
A muster—Prisoners landed—The Starlight—Santa Cruz—Novel night procession—The Alert—Three sacrifices in a day—Weather Gauge captured—The Altamaha—A signal—The Benjamin Tucker—Burnt!—The Courser—Target practice—The Virginia—The Elisha Dunbar . From the 7th to the 18th of September was a busy time on board the Alabama. Prize after prize was taken, and Captain Semmes' journal, as will be seen, is chiefly taken up with records of successful chases. Sunday, September 7th. —Running in for the island o
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CHAPTER XVI.
CHAPTER XVI.
Successive gales—Uncomfortable quarters—Weather moderates—Blowing again—The Emily Farnum and the Brilliant—Neutral cargo—Ransomed—In flames—The Wave Crest—The Dunkirk—Religious smuggling—A deserter caught—A court martial—The Tonawanda—Precautions—The Manchester burnt—Hope—Parting company—The Lamplighter—A hurricane—Great danger—A cyclone—Safely passed . After this burst of good fortune in the way of prizes, during which the Alabama had destroyed upwards of 230,000 dollars' worth of United States
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CHAPTER XVII.
CHAPTER XVII.
Out of luck—Tempest-tossed—Rotatory storms—A prize—The case of the Lafayette—A long chase—The Crenshaw—Neutral or not?—Rough again—The Lauretta—Condemned!—The Baron de Custine—Released on bond. The Alabama was again out of luck. For the second time since her departure from Terceira, nearly a fortnight passed without bringing a single prize. It was, indeed, hardly to be expected that the splendid success which had attended the first three weeks of her cruise could be maintained. From the 1st to t
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CASE OF THE SCHOONER CRENSHAW.
CASE OF THE SCHOONER CRENSHAW.
This vessel was captured under the North American flag, and had on board a North American register—there is, therefore, no question as to the ship. There has been an attempt to cover the cargo, but without success. The shippers are Francis Macdonald and Co., of the city of New York; and Mr. James Hutchison, also of New York, deposed before the British consul, that "the goods specified in the annexed bills of lading were shipped on board the schooner Crenshaw, for, and on account of, subjects of
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CHAPTER XVIII.
CHAPTER XVIII.
Disappointment—Out of the track—The Levi Starbuck—Fresh vegetables —News—The other side of the case—Kindness repaid—The T.B. Wales—A family—Volunteers—In man-of-war trim . The month of October went out as it came in with severe and blustering weather. The Alabama was still upwards of two hundred miles from New York, and it seemed as though a change would become necessary in her plans. Ever since starting upon his adventurous cruise, it had been a favorite scheme with Captain Semmes to make his a
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CHAPTER XIX.
CHAPTER XIX.
Martinique—News from home—Friendly greetings—Mutiny!—Order restored—The San Jacinto—Neutrality of the port invaded—Prompt measures—Expectation—Ready for action—Success—Locking an empty stable—Temptation—The Clara L. Sparks—Refitting—A court-martial —Dismissed . The 18th November saw Captain Semmes again off Martinique, which he had visited in the Sumter just twelve months before. Making the north end of the island at about 4 A.M., the propeller was lowered and steam got up, the day breaking just
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CHAPTER XX.
CHAPTER XX.
At sea again—Moulded into shape—House-cleaning—Rates of pay—A timely capture—The Parker Cook—A fix—A good night's rest—Sangfroid —Amid jessamine bowers—Looking out for a rich prize—The Mina—"In consequence of the Alabama." The Alabama was now on the look-out for a Californian steamer, and it was quite possible that in so doing she might run into a fight. However, should that be the case, there would be no disposition to shirk it. The vessel was already three months in commission; and though some
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CHAPTER XXI.
CHAPTER XXI.
The Alabamans lucky day—A trial of speed—Brought to—The Ariel—Buying an elephant—Prisoners of war—Prize-money—Still on the look-out —Broken down—A dilemma—Yellow fever—Release of the Ariel —Under repair . Sunday again! The Alabama's lucky day; and this time, at least, destined to be especially marked with white chalk in the annals of the ship. The morning passed calmly enough; the ship in her quiet Sabbath trim; and nothing giving token of what was about to follow, save here and there a group an
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CHAPTER XXII.
CHAPTER XXII.
Again ready—Gloomy weather—A Norther—The Arcas—The second Christmas at sea—The war—Plymouth rock leaven—On the lonely island—"Splicing the main-brace"—Searching for shells—Tired of hard service—In irons—Well disciplined—A phenomenon—The new year—In memoriam—To sea again . The exciting episode of the Ariel was followed by a period altogether devoid of incident, though by no means destitute either of interest or anxiety for those on board the Alabama. From daybreak to dusk the click of the hammer,
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CHAPTER XXIII.
CHAPTER XXIII.
Another mission—General Banks' expedition—To Galveston—Sunday the 11th of January—A small mistake—Preparing for action —The Hatteras—A fight in the dark—Sharp and decisive—Surrender —Rescue of the crew—Sunk!—Casualties—Out of the hornet's nest. Contrary to her usual aspirations, the principal wish of the Alabama, as she started on this fresh cruise, was to reach her destination without having seen a single vessel. She was now in fact on a service of a kind altogether different from that which ha
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CHAPTER XXIV.
CHAPTER XXIV.
Crowded with prisoners—Chasing a friend—At Jamaica—Enthusiastic reception—Rest on shore—Speech making—Up anchor!—A prize—Case of the Golden Rule—Reinstating the discipline—Capture of the Chastelain—San Domingo—The Palmetto—Men of the day in the United States. The Alabama's little fighting holiday was over, and she returned to her appointed task of annoying the enemy's commerce. Her course lay towards Jamaica, the captain being anxious to relieve himself as soon as possible of the nest of prisone
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CHAPTER XXV.
CHAPTER XXV.
Not easily baffled—Two prizes—The Olive Jane—The Golden Eagle—The white ensign saluted—In trepidation—Obstinacy—The Washington—The William Edward—Patience Rewarded—Case of the John S. Parks. More than a week passed without the occurrence of any event worthy of record. Saturday, the 21st February, however, brought an exciting chase. By 8 A.M. four vessels had been reported in sight. The first seen proved too far ahead and to windward, to be worth chasing, and sail was then made in the direction o
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CHAPTER XXVI.
CHAPTER XXVI.
Discomforts of life at sea—A stern chase—Seized—The Punjaub ransomed—Rain-squalls—A luxury—The Morning Star—Neutral cargo—The Fairhaven—The Ino on the look-out—The Charles Hill—The Nora—Fire-water—Commercial morality—The Louisa Hatch—Black Diamonds—Coaling at sea under difficulties—Fernando de Noronna. Captain Cooper, of the John Parks, and his wife and two nephews, were fortunate in not being condemned to a long period of captivity. The burning remains of his unlucky vessel were still within si
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CHAPTER XXVII.
CHAPTER XXVII.
An official "in trouble"—On shore again—A breakfast party—On horseback—Blowing hard—Taken in the net—Easy captures—The Kate Cory—The Lafayette—A polite Governor—The Louisa Hatch burned, and Kate Cory burned—Landing prisoners—Tired of waiting—A scramble—Out of harbour again. April 11th. —Light and variable airs; misty from the southward and eastward, and oppressive; ther. 83°. Last night the two vessels lay alongside of each other so roughly, and we received so much damage (our forechannels being
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CHAPTER XXVIII.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
A curious prize—The Nye—The Dorcas Prince—An anniversary—The Union Jack and-the Sea Lark—In the harbour of Bahia—Explanations—Unexpected meeting—The Georgia—A little holiday—Diplomacy—More neutrality—Home-sick. A curious prize was the next that fell into the clutches of the all-devouring Alabama. A whaling barque, the Nye, of New Bedford, eleven months out, without having once put into port! Three whole months before the launching of the Alabama, had that patient little vessel been ploughing the
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CHAPTER XXIX.
CHAPTER XXIX.
Two more!—The Gildersliene and Justina—Case of the Jabez Snow—The barque Amazonian—Relieved of prisoners—A hint—The Talisman—Under false colours—The Conrad—A nobler fate—Re-christened—The Tuscaloosa commissioned—Short of provisions. The 25th May witnessed the capture of the ship Gildersliene and the barque Justina. The latter having a neutral cargo, was ransomed on a bond for 7000 dollars; the former condemned and burned, after an investigation terminating in the following decision:— Ship under
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CHAPTER XXX.
CHAPTER XXX.
An insult to the Yankee flag—Fine weather—The Anna F. Schmidt—"What ship's that?"—The Express—A supply of bread—Saldanha Bay—Visitors from the country—A funeral—The Tuscaloosa's prize—The capture off Cape Town—The Sea Bride won—Ship crowded—Sympathy . Sunday, June 28th. —At 4.30 this evening brought-to a heavy ship with a blank cartridge; or rather she seemed to come-to of her own accord, as she was evidently outsailing us, and was, when we fired, at very long range. Soon after heaving-to she bu
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CHAPTER XXXI.
CHAPTER XXXI.
Wrecked!—A narrow escape—Respect for neutral waters—The Martha Wenzell—At the Cape—Dense fogs—Heavy weather—"Are you a vessel of war?"—-Firmness and obstinacy—Simon's Town—Misrepresentations—A little rest—Land-sharks—A night scene—To the Indian Ocean—The barque Amanda. Saturday, August 8th, 1863.—The gale broke last night, but there is still some breeze blowing, and the sea is quite rough. Last night a Bremen brig was wrecked off Point Monille. We heard her firing guns, and I feared at first it
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CHAPTER XXXII.
CHAPTER XXXII.
New cruising-ground—Case of the Winged Racer—A good chase—The Contest—On the look-out—Not to be deceived—No prizes—Condore—A French settlement—Kindly greetings—Monkey Island—Far from home—Whistling Locusts—Instinct—Why no one sees a dead monkey—Homewards—Yankee ships scarce. The 8th of November saw the Alabama again in sight of land, and after anchoring for a night off Flat Point, and sending a boat ashore, in the vain hope of finding in the Malay villages a supply of some sort of fresh provisio
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CHAPTER XXXIII.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
In the East—Aor—Marine nomads—Suspicious—At Singapore—A busy city—Chinese merchants—Whampoa and Co.—Calculating machines—Under way—The Martaban of Maulmain—Transformation—The Texan Star—Evasive—Getting at the truth.—Sonora—To the Cape. The Alabama was now steering for Singapore, and for three or four days kept her course without the occurrence of anything particularly noteworthy. On the 19th December she anchored for a time in the bay on the south-east side of the island of Aor, with its lofty h
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CHAPTER XXXIV.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
The Emma Jane—Quilon—An alarm—Landing prisoners—Johanna and Mohilla—Friendly authorities—Slavery—A trading monarch—Distance lends enchantment to the view—Cousins-german of the Sultan—Princes gardens—Mahommedan sympathy—Off again. On the 14th January, as the Alabama was lazily drifting in a north-easterly direction, near the Malabar coast, a ship was discovered running down towards her. The useful decoy—the United States flag—was at once hoisted, and the same colours were run up by the stranger.
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CASE OF THE ROCKINGHAM.
CASE OF THE ROCKINGHAM.
"Ship under United States colours and register. Is from Callao, bound to Cork for orders, and loaded with guano. This guano purports to be shipped by the Guano Consignment Company to Great Britain. One Joseph A. Danino, who signs for Danino and Moscosa, certifies that the guano belongs to the Peruvian Government; and Her Britannic Majesty's Acting Consul at Lima certifies that the said Joseph A. Danino appeared before him and 'voluntarily declared' 'that the foregoing signature is of his own han
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CHAPTER XXXVI.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
The Kearsarge—Preparations—The iron-clad—State of the Alabama—Out of the harbour—The Deerhound—The Captain's address—Armaments of the combatants—Plan of action—The engagement—Rapid fire—Badly wounded—Sinking—The end of the Alabama—In the water—Gallant conduct—Surgeon Llewellyn—The Deerhound to the rescue—The enemy's boats—Not a wrack—The informing spirit . It was written that the Alabama was never to behold the ports of her country! The latest entries in the diary of Captain Semmes are of an int
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APPENDIX.
APPENDIX.
* * * * * No. I. Ably Bradford —Of New York, from New York to Puerto Caballo. Captured 25th July, 1861, N.E. of Laguayra, Venezuela. Sent to New Orleans. Recaptured by enemy. Albert Adams —Of Massachusetts. Captured 5th July, 1861, four leagues off Cienfuegos. Sent to Cienfuegos. Released by Captain-General of Cuba. Arcade —Of Maine, from Portland, Maine, to Guadaloupe. Captured 26th November, 1861, in lat. 20° 27' N., long. 57° 15' W. Burned. Ben Dunning —Of Maine. Captured 5th July, 1861, four
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