After an engagement of about one hour, the Alabama was reduced to a sinking condition. The survivors of the Alabama were saved by her own boats and those of the Kearsarge and the English yacht Deerhound. Thus ended the career of this historic vessel. The name of Semmes has become immortal. In two short years he captured some seventy vessels, and swept the seas of American commerce.
Space precludes further mention of the Alabama.
The Florida was the first of the commerce destroyers of English origin. She was built at Liverpool in the fall of 1861. She arrived at Nassau April 28th, and was there delivered to Capt. John N. Maffitt, C. S. N., who commissioned her under the name of the Florida and fitted her out. Maffitt first went to Cuba.