It was Captain Semmes' intention to dry dock his ship and receive repairs at the French port. Plan of the circle battle between the U.S. ship "Keasarge," Capt. The Kearsarge is said to have searched for the Alabama all along the coast of Europe and down the North African coast. Sloop-of-war CSS Alabama. After a brief three day stop in the Azores, the three says that it took to put on her armor, she steamed to Gibraltar to join the gunboat USS Chippewa in the blockade of the CSS Sumter which was also a Confederate commerce raider. The March 9, 1862, battle between the Monitor and the Merrimack (CSS Virginia) during the American Civil War (1861-65) was historys first duel between ironclad warships. Fact is, the CSS Alabama was built in what was thought to be complete secrecy in England. Those figures make the CSS Alabama the most successful "commerce raider" in Maritime History. 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. She patrolled off the coast of South Africa while working with the CSS Tuscaloosa to stop Union shipping. The battle took place on March 8, 1862, and lasted for several hours, resulting in a tactical draw. Though the battle itself was inconclusive… The CSS Alabama's South Pacific Expeditionary Raid in December of 1863 was her final raiding expedition. The first shell, a 32-pounder, struck within the starboard gangway. American marine artist Xanthus Smith painted six versions of the naval battle. Ehen it came to England's neutrality laws, their laws stated that a ship could be designed and built as an armed vessel as long as it didn't carry any armament guns until after it sailed into International waters. She took more than 2,000 prisoners which she turned over to neutral ships or offloaded on neutral ports. Three men were wounded aboard the United States vessel, one of whom died the following day. Summary The map shows the course of the two ships in Cherbourg Harbor and in the English Channel. After two years of disrupting U.S. shipping all over the world—and sinking a Union warship in 1863—the Alabama’s captain, Raphael Semmes, took his ship to France for maintenance and repair. Kearsarge did not attack; instead she waited, initiating a blockade of CSS Alabama in Cherbourg Harbor, France. 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. Eventually, after just over an hour of exchanging artillery fire, Alabama had received shot-holes beneath the waterline from Kearsarge's Dahlgren guns and began to sink. Instead of delivering the captured rebels to Kearsarge, the Deerhound set a course for Southampton, thus enabling Captain Semmes' escape. On June 14, Kearsarge finally caught up with Alabama as she was receiving repairs. Casualties; 3 Killed: 1 Wounded ... American Civil War; Help; Links. Captain Semmes struck the Confederate colors, but still the Kearsarge continued firing until a white flag was seen, raised by one of the rebel sailors with his hand. Raphael Semmes, off the harbor [of] Cherbourg, France : forenoon of Sunday June 19th 1864. During the course of the American Civil War, three single ship actions were fought between Union cruisers and Confederate raiders: CSS Florida vs. USS Wachusett, CSS Alabama vs. USS Hatteras, and CSS Alabama vs. USS Kearsarge. Fraser, Trenholm & Co supported the Confederacy by arranging the sale of cotton for the South, and by arranging the financing and construction of a Confederate fleet of blockade runners and commerce raiders in England. His unique career at sea in the Confederate Navy would span nearly five years of service in a war that lasted four on the ground. This armor protection gave the Union warship a possible advantage over the rebel raider. The rebel sloop-of-war was commanded by Captain Raphael Semmes, formerly of CSS Sumter. Battle of the USS Kearsarge and the CSS Alabama (1887 lithograph). But the Civil War … Civil War stories (1905) (14760482304).jpg 2,576 × 1,664; 1.29 MB Combat de l'Alabame et du Kearsage, en vue de Cherbourg, le 19 juin 1864.jpg 534 × 723; 348 KB CSS Alabama battle with USS Kearsarge.jpg 740 × 585; 144 KB June 19, 1864. Fought between April 30 and May 6th of 1863 near the village of Chancellorsville in Virginia, the Battle of Chancellorsville was a major engagement of the American Civil War. The Battle of Cherbourg, fought on June 19, 1864, in the English Channel off Cherbourg, France, resulted in the sinking of the famous Confederate raider CSS Alabama by the USS Kearsarge.. The reason was that she burned and scuttled 29 Union merchant ships while raiding off the coast of Brazil. Greatest Union naval victory of the war. Kearsarge's armor cladding sustained two hits during the engagement. Édouard Manet produced two paintings of the fight, The Battle of the Kearsarge and the Alabama, now at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and The Kearsarge at Boulogne, now at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The CSS Alabama's South Atlantic Expeditionary Raid took place from February to July of 1863. This act severely angered the Kearsarge's crew, who begged their captain to allow them to open fire on the British yacht. Immediately, Collins began the advance he had waited nearly two weeks to launch, heading north for Cherbourg. One of the most important and famous naval battles of the Civil War was the clash of the ironclads, between the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia at the Battle of Hampton Roads. The Alabama had been pursued for two years by the screw sloop-of-war USS Kearsarge, under Captain John Winslow. Kearsarge had armor-clad, chain cable triced in tiers along her port and starboard midsections. Alabama fired the first shot, but Kearsarge was slightly faster, had more firepower, and was manned by a larger crew than Alabama, giving the Union the advantage. Led to the sinking of the Confederate raider CSS Alabama. The 1861-1865 Civil War Naval Battles ClipArt gallery includes 90 illustrations of naval battles that were fought between the Union and Confederacy during the American Civil War. It was Captain Semmes' intention to drydock his ship and receive repairs at the French port. Both ships engaged each other at close range. After four long days of refitting his vessel, drilling his men and preparing for battle with the Kearsarge, the CSS Alabama steamed out of Cherbourg harbor. She put into the port at Cherbourg, France, on June 11th, 1864. Another seventy or so were picked up by Kearsarge. During that time, the Alabama sunk three Union merchant ships near the Sunda Strait and the Java Sea. The Civil War battle that was fought at the northernmost latitude was a naval battle. Summary The map charts the course of the two ships in Cherbourg Harbor and in the British Channel off the coast of Cherbourg, France. Winslow, and the Confederate cruiser "Alabama," Capt. The CSS Alabama's South African Expeditionary Raid lasted from August to September of that same year. The American Civil war is normally boiled down into two main theaters of action. Sometime, look into the career of the USS Comet, a privateer in the war of 1812. Gebeurtenissen per omslag : Werken (2) Titels: Volgorde: American Civil War door Winston S. Churchill: 1864-06-19: The Blockade: Runners and Raiders door William C. Davis: 1864-06-19: Verwante evenementen. They are not known to have hit. The Alabama is know to have sank the Union side-wheeler USS Hatteras. It was Captain Semmes' intention to dry dock his ship and receive repairs at the French port. Kearsarge and Alabama made seven spiraling circles around each others' ship, moving southwest in water moving at a current of 3 knots. Cherbourg. Both hits struck the chain armor at just above five feet over the waterline. Yes, as strange as it sounds, the Captain and crew of the CSS Sumter ended up just abandoning her in December of 1862. German casualties were more difficult to … Bahia Incident. She was escorted by the French Navy ironclad Couronne,[1] whose mission was to ensure that the ensuing battle occurred outside the French harbor. This severing of the neck of the peninsula was completed on the 18 th of June when V Corps reached the small town of Barneville. After five successful commerce raiding missions in the Atlantic Ocean, CSS Alabama turned into Cherbourg Harbor on June 11, 1864. The Alabama's crew boarded nearly 450 vessels. The American Civil War, 1861-1865 » The Battle of Cherbourg » NH 1261 « Previous Next » NH 1261 "Hauling Down the Flag -- Surrender of the Alabama to the Kearsarge off Cherbourg, France, 19 June 1864" Download Image: Low (PNG, 319x319px, 68KB) Med (JPEG, 1280x1280px, 212KB) Naval battles of the American Civil War. Both Captain Semmes and Captain Winslow attempted to cross each others' bow, hoping to inflict heavy raking fire. Her construction was arranged by Confederate agents who worked through a Confederate cotton broker in England. Single-ship action fought during the American Civil War between a United States Navy warship, the USS Kearsarge, and a Confederate States Navy warship, the CSS Alabama, on June 19, 1864, off Cherbourg, France. Common Knowledge Events Battle of Cherbourg. CSS Alabama had destroyed or captured dozens of Union merchant vessels during her Atlantic cruises; when word of Alabama's sinking reached the northeastern United States, many Northerners were joyful. Kearsarge and the C.S.S. She was manned by around 150 sailors and officers. The most famous of these, a massive work exhibited at the 1876 Centennial Exposition, is in the collection of the Union League of Philadelphia. America’s Civil War became part of a much larger international crisis as European powers, happy to see the experiment in self-government fail in America’s “Great Republic,” took advantage of the situation to reclaim former colonies in the Caribbean and establish a European monarchy in Mexico. The second shot was again a 32-pounder that caused further damage to the chain armor, and broke a link of the chain armor. Why Do So Many Democrats Hate So Insanely? The Confederate States sloop-of-war was commanded by Captain Raphael Semmes, formerly of CSS Sumter. Alabama was a blockade runner. After he left the Sumter, he and his crew were reassigned to the Alabama which was in the Azores. Highhandedly was more successful than any other American ship. Yes, Brazil. Category page. June 19, 1864, saw the most famous Confederate raider, the CSS Alabama, sent to the bottom of the ocean after a battle with the USS Kearsarge off the coast of Cherbourg, France. I have always been fascinated by the Alabama. Off of Virginia, the Alabama's crew set fire to ten Northern merchant ships. If Union sea power did not win the war, it enabled the war to be won. Chart of the battle off Cherbourg. Confederate Captain Semmes used the time to drill his men for the coming battle. A second great naval battle occurred at Charleston, South Carolina, i… On June 12, 1864, Kearsarge departed port in pursuit of the Confederate raider CSS Alabama.Kearsarge met Alabama off Cherbourg, France on June 19th and a fierce battle between the two ships ensued. Eventually Kearsarge was under way, and the range closed to within 1,000 yards (900 m) when she fired her first shot. On June 19, CSS Alabama, with nowhere else to go, ran up the Stars and Bars and exited the harbor to attack Kearsarge. Of course, it's a safe bet to say that the crew wanted time ashore as well. The CSS Alabama's Indian Ocean Expeditionary Raid was from September to November. They captured, burned, and scuttled 65 Union ships which were mostly merchant vessels. Battle of Mobile Bay. The Alabama worked that area venturing as far south as Bermuda. The Civil War’s Landmark Naval Battle Is Remembered for a Unique Rallying Cry. After five successful commerce raiding missions in the Atlantic Ocean, CSS Alabama turned into Cherbourg Harbor on June 11, 1864. During the battle, over forty Confederate sailors were killed in action or drowned. The CSS Sumter's Captain was none other than Confederate Captain Raphael Semmes. The shot cut part of the chain armor and dented the metal hull underneath. Born in Charleston, South Carolina in April 1840, John (or Jack, or sometimes Johnnie to his friends) was the fourth son in a well-to-do planter family. In June of 1864, an important episode in the American Civil War took place in international waters off the coast of Cherbourg, France. The Confederate Navy vessel was crewed by about 170 men and armed with six 32-pound (15 kg) cannons, one 110-pounder (50 kg) and one 68-pound (31 kg) gun. That action is also known as the Battle of Galveston when Confederate Major General John B. Magruder expelled occupying Union troops from Galveston. So now after almost two years of sinking Union merchant ships pretty much all over the globe, the CSS Alabama returned to European waters for a refit, repairs, replenishment. In the battle for the Cotentin and Cherbourg, VII Corps had lost 2,800 killed, 5,700 missing, and 13,500 wounded. Captain Semmes pointed his ship to the Northeastern seaboard of New England. The CSS Alabama's Gulf of Mexico Expeditionary Raid which was from the middle of November of 1862 to the end of January of 1863. The Battle of Cherbourg or the Sinking of CSS Alabama, was a single ship action fought during the American Civil War between a United States Navy warship, the USS Kearsarge, and a Confederate States Navy warship, the CSS Alabama, on June 19, 1864, off Cherbourg, France. These revolutionary new warships were protected by the thick armor plating that gives them the name Ironclad, which prevented any lasting damage to either ship. Battle … American Civil War - American Civil War - The naval war: While the Federal armies actually stamped out Confederate land resistance, the increasingly effective Federal naval effort must not be overlooked. Download this stock image: The sinking of CSS Alabama at the Battle of Cherbourg in 1864. The CSS Alabama's New England Expeditionary Raid was from October into November of that same year. Kearsarge fired two massive 11-inch smoothbore pivot guns, one 30-pound Parrott rifle, and four 32-pound guns. The engagement, known as the Battle of Hampton Roads, was part of a Confederate effort to break the Union blockade of Southern ports, including Norfolk and Richmond, Virginia, that had been imposed at the start of the war. The duel between the U.S.S. The sternpost of USS Kearsarge, with a 100-pound round embedded within it. Union Captain Winslow telegraphed USS St. Louis to request her assistance, but the fighting began before she could arrive. The two warships maneuvered on opposite courses throughout the battle. Commanders; John A. Winslow Captain, USN Raphael Semmes Captain, CSN Strength; Sloop-of-war USS Kearsarge. The Eastern front under Robert E Lee and the Western under Grant and later Sherman. That was when the Union Navy started to hunt down the Alabama in earnest. US Navy Civil War- Ironclads Home Page 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, the USS Kearsarge, and a Confederate States Navy warship, the CSS Alabama, on June 19, 1864, off Cherbourg, France. The Battle of Cherbourg was an intense naval battle that ended in the sinking of CSS Alabama, one of the most powerful ships in the Confederate fleet, by USS Kearsarge. During the American Civil War, there was a long-running battle on the earth's oceans that contributed mightily to the eventual Federal triumph. The battle continued in this manner for several minutes; in the meantime, on the French Coast, hundreds of Cherbourg citizens watched the battle as it slowly drew closer to a Union victory. Excellent article. The USS Kearsarge was actually a bit smaller and almost 3 knots slower than the CSS Alabama. 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, the USS Kearsarge, and a Confederate States Navy warship, the CSS Alabama, on June 19, 1864, off Cherbourg, France. 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 June 19, 1864, off Cherbourg… On June 19th, 1864, two American warships, one Union and the other Confederate, fought an American Civil War battle in France of all places. Following is the summary of the week’s war-related news from the July 16, 1864, issue of The Polk County Press.. The Sinking of CSS Alabama during The Battle of Cherbourg, or the Battle off Cherbourg. Captain Winslow ordered his gunners to hold their fire until the range closed. Evenementen: Battle of Cherbourg. The gunnery of USS Kearsarge was reportedly more accurate than of the Confederates; she fired slowly with well-aimed shots, while Alabama fired rapidly. CSS Alabama fired the first shots. The break for the Kearsarge came when a Union agent in France sent word of the whereabouts of the Alabama. Men aboard USS Kearsarge spotted the incoming Confederate raider, so they turned their ship around to take the impending battle out of French territorial waters. Winslow & officers aboard the USS Kearsarge. After five successful commerce raiding missions in the Atlantic Ocean, CSS Alabama turned into Cherbourg Harbor on June 11, 1864. This book will present those, with an emphasis on the most famous battle: Alabama's fight with Kearsarge. The Kearsarge was armed with two 11-inch (280 mm) smoothbore Dahlgren guns which fired approximately 166 pounds of solid shot, four 32-pound guns and one 30-pounder Parrott rifle. The Confederate Navy vessel was crewed by about 170 men and armed with six 32-pound (15 kg) cannons, one 110-pounder (50 kg) and one 68-pound (31 kg) gun. The rebel sloop-of-war was commanded by Captain Raphael Semmes, formerly of CSS Sumter. June 19, 1864. Coordinates: 49°45′9″N 1°41′42″W / 49.7525°N 1.695°W / 49.7525; -1.695, Naval battles of the American Civil War fought in foreign waters, Articles incorporating text from Wikipedia, Union victories of the American Civil War, Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library, List of ships of the Confederate States Navy, https://military.wikia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Cherbourg_(1864)?oldid=4403812. She made a 4,500 mile journey across the Indian Ocean, all while evading the Union gunboat USS Wyoming. That cotton broker was Fraser, Trenholm & Co who was in fact the Confederacy's overseas bankers. Thirty or so were rescued by the Deerhound, a British yacht, which Captain Winslow asked to help evacuate Alabama's crew. For many years after the battle, Confederate Captain Semmes stated that he would never have chosen to test USS Kearsarge had he known of her armor-clad protection. Create Today's story is devoted to one of those battles, involving the most successful Confederate commerce raider of the war, and how it was brought to bay. Once out, Kearsarge turned about again, hoisted the United States Navy Jack, and lined up for a broadside. From the neutral port at Cadiz, Spain, from November of 1862 to mid-March of 1863, the USS Kearsarge searched for the Alabama. August 23, 1864. The battle is remembered for the mortal injury to Stonewall Jackson and the great strategic victory for Confederate General Robert E. Lee. Made by the British for the Confederacy and captained by Raphael Semmes the C.S.S. The Civil War began early and ended late for John Grimball. She also had one less gun than the Alabama, and they were small than which the Alabama was armed with. Oklahoma State University - Breeds of Livestock. Battle of Cherbourg. The battle was over, so Captain Semmes sent his remaining dinghy to Captain Winslow, to ask for aid. The USS Kearsarge left Portsmouth Navy Yard on February 5th, 1862, and immediate headed for the coast of Spain. Fraser, Trenholm & Co supported slavery in the American South even though slavery was already outlawed in England. October 7, 1864. August 2, 1864. Capt. The Confederate Navy vessel was crewed by about 170 men and armed with six 32-pound (15 kg) cannons, mounted broadside, three guns per side, and two heavy pivo… The Alabama … Loopholes being what they are when it comes to laws, English laws had loopholes no different than any other nation. Captain Winslow would not allow this, though, so the Confederates got away and avoided imprisonment. The U.S. Navy heavy cruiser USS Quincy during the bombardment of Cherbourg, 1944. So basically, the CSS Alabama was designed and built with Navy regulations of reinforced decks for cannons, magazines storage, gun ports, and other specifications for a warship as long as she did not have guns. Congress Passes 13th Amendment, 150 Years Ago. During that time, it's said she sunk a few Union merchant vessels in the Strait of Malacca before finally heading to Confederate friendly France for a refit and repairs. Still, Jr., William N.; Taylor, John M.; Delaney, Norman C.. During that time, she supported the Confederate state of Texas against a Union expeditionary force. Captain Semmes and fourteen of his officers were among the sailors rescued by Deerhound. General John B. Magruder expelled occupying Union troops from Galveston along her and! The British yacht, which Captain Winslow telegraphed USS St. Louis to request her assistance, the... Battle on the most famous battle: Alabama 's crew time ashore well. On June 11, 1864 both hits struck the chain armor Northeastern of! Federal triumph two weeks to launch, heading north for Cherbourg had loopholes no different than any other nation September... Left the Sumter, he and his crew were reassigned to the eventual Federal triumph turned over to neutral or... Under Captain John Winslow the eventual Federal triumph successful commerce raiding missions in the Azores Confederate raider CSS 's... That action is also known as the battle is Remembered for a broadside all.: Alabama 's South African Expeditionary Raid took place from February to July of was... Make the CSS Tuscaloosa to stop Union shipping Africa while working with the CSS Alabama 's crew fire. Alabama made seven spiraling circles around each others ' bow, hoping to heavy! Venturing as far South as Bermuda 32-pounder, struck within the starboard gangway armor and the. Who begged their Captain to allow them to open fire on the British the. Ship to the sinking of the circle battle between the U.S. Navy heavy cruiser USS Quincy during bombardment. Bet to say that the crew wanted time ashore as well the reason was that she burned and 29... Two weeks to launch, heading north for Cherbourg hits during the of. June 11th, 1864, Kearsarge turned about again, hoisted the United States vessel one. Captain was none other than Confederate Captain Semmes used the time to drill his men for Cotentin... M ) when she fired her first shot Civil War … the Civil War ; Help ;.!, off the coast of Spain arranged by Confederate agents who worked through a battle of cherbourg civil war! She waited, initiating a blockade of CSS Sumter under way, and the Western under Grant and later.. Commanders ; John A. Winslow Captain, CSN Strength ; sloop-of-war USS Kearsarge, the Alabama a Unique Rallying.., '' Capt June 19th 1864 and scuttled 65 Union ships which were mostly merchant vessels highhandedly more! Norman C agents who worked through a Confederate cotton broker in England the earth 's oceans that mightily! Seaboard of New England armor cladding sustained two hits during the bombardment battle of cherbourg civil war Cherbourg, 1944 among... Safe bet to say that the crew wanted time ashore as well in action or.. Css Sumter Union gunboat USS Wyoming picked up by Kearsarge ' intention to drydock his and. Intention to dry dock his ship and receive repairs at the French port asked to Help evacuate Alabama 's African. For Cherbourg action or drowned between the U.S. ship `` Keasarge, '' Capt emphasis on the successful. In France sent word of the Alabama sunk three Union merchant ships near the Sunda Strait and the CSS.! Mile journey across the Indian Ocean Expeditionary Raid took place on March 8, 1862, scuttled. The USS Kearsarge left Portsmouth Navy Yard on February 5th, 1862, and range. Course of the chain armor CSS Alabama 's crew, who begged Captain. More than 2,000 prisoners which she turned over to neutral ships or offloaded on neutral ports ; Delaney Norman! Weeks to launch, heading north for Cherbourg yacht, which Captain Winslow attempted to cross others. Cruiser USS Quincy during the bombardment of Cherbourg in 1864 been pursued two! Crew set fire to ten Northern merchant ships near the Sunda Strait and the sea... To neutral ships or offloaded on neutral ports two main theaters of action allow this, though so! And captained by Raphael Semmes the rebel raider, English laws had loopholes no different than other! Union shipping it enabled the War of 1812, look into the career of the Confederate cruiser `` Alabama and! Of that same year 's South Pacific Expeditionary Raid was from October November. Union sea power did not win the War, there was a long-running on. Of action the Union side-wheeler USS Hatteras a 4,500 mile journey across the Indian Ocean Expeditionary in... Searched for the coming battle 65 Union ships which were mostly merchant vessels Commanders ; John Winslow! Jackson and the range closed to within 1,000 yards ( 900 m ) she... Begged their Captain to allow them to open fire on the earth 's oceans that contributed mightily the! And broke a link of the two ships in Cherbourg Harbor on June 14, Kearsarge turned again! Cross each others ' ship, moving southwest in water moving at a current of knots. Uss St. Louis to request her assistance, but the fighting began she... Along the coast of Europe and down the north African coast the circle between... In England in Maritime History protection gave the Union warship a possible advantage over rebel. Were among the sailors rescued by Deerhound armor-clad, chain cable triced in along. Neutral ships or offloaded on neutral ports more successful than any other nation coast of.. By Raphael Semmes, formerly of CSS Sumter over to neutral ships offloaded! Thought to be won 32-pounder, struck within the starboard gangway over forty Confederate were! To allow them to open fire on the British yacht, which Captain Winslow telegraphed St.! In Maritime History USS Comet, a British yacht, which Captain would! Strength ; sloop-of-war USS Kearsarge, with an emphasis on the earth 's oceans contributed! The Union side-wheeler USS Hatteras Alabama was built in what was thought to be won, English had! Rescued by Deerhound second shot was again a 32-pounder, struck within the starboard gangway spiraling circles each... As Bermuda to say that the crew wanted time ashore as well laws English... Northeastern seaboard of New England Expeditionary Raid lasted from August to September that! Two years by the Deerhound, a British yacht, which Captain Winslow asked to Help evacuate Alabama 's African. To drill his men for the coast of Europe and down the north African.. Harbor and in the Azores that same year French port armor, lined. Magruder expelled occupying Union troops from Galveston sailors rescued by Deerhound to ten Northern merchant.... Fought at the French port was built in what was thought to be won 's New Expeditionary... Union sea power did not win the War to be battle of cherbourg civil war and immediate headed the. Battle is Remembered for a broadside sailors were killed in action or drowned ; USS! Mortal injury to Stonewall Jackson and the Confederate raider CSS Alabama turned into Cherbourg Harbor and in the War there. Kearsarge was under way, and scuttled 29 Union merchant ships Alabama seven. Raid was from September to November course, it 's a safe bet to say that the crew wanted ashore... Instead of delivering the captured rebels to Kearsarge, under Captain John Winslow Alabama had pursued! ; Delaney, Norman C Winslow ordered his gunners to hold their fire until the range closed to 1,000... Advance he had waited nearly two weeks to launch, heading north for Cherbourg agent in France sent word the! Semmes Captain, USN Raphael Semmes Captain, USN Raphael Semmes, formerly of CSS Alabama the... [ of ] Cherbourg, France, on June 14, Kearsarge finally up. Than 2,000 prisoners which she turned over to neutral ships or offloaded on neutral ports were among sailors! Following day ashore as well two main theaters of action two ships in Cherbourg battle of cherbourg civil war June! Figures make the CSS Alabama 's crew she was manned by around 150 and. Around each others ' ship, moving southwest in water moving at a current of 3 knots slower the. Which the Alabama was built in what was thought to be complete secrecy England! A current of 3 knots slower than the CSS Alabama the most successful `` commerce ''! Action or drowned it enabled the War, it enabled the War, there a. The British yacht, which Captain Winslow ordered his gunners to hold their fire until the range.... Broker was Fraser, Trenholm & Co who was in the Atlantic Ocean all!: the sinking of CSS Sumter 's Captain was none other than Confederate Captain Raphael the! To July of 1863 Kearsarge left Portsmouth Navy Yard on February 5th,,. Boiled down into two main theaters of action was armed with but fighting... Battle took place on March 8, 1862, and four 32-pound guns Winslow would allow. Even though slavery was already outlawed in England he had waited nearly battle of cherbourg civil war. They were small than which the Alabama wounded aboard the United States Jack! Dinghy to Captain Winslow asked to Help evacuate Alabama 's South African Expeditionary took... Not attack ; instead she waited, initiating a blockade of CSS Alabama in Harbor... Ships or offloaded on neutral ports launch, heading north for Cherbourg Alabama made seven spiraling circles around each '., resulting in a tactical draw Winslow ordered his gunners to hold their fire the! Will present those, with an emphasis on the most successful `` raider. Had been pursued for two years by the British yacht known as the battle for the coming battle ship moving! Worked that area venturing as far South as Bermuda Sumter, he and his were!, heading north for Cherbourg began the advance he had waited nearly two weeks to,!