Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-09-07
CAPT. sEHsEs' HISTORY OF THE ALABAMA
a kKvIRS By tbs LOEDOE lINIs.
Frcn Ms 1Iplss, Aug. s.

a kKvIRS By tbs LoEDOE IINIs
From the 7TD'ss, Aug, s,
I;s Right that the journals Of Capt; Semmss and bis
hsuteoans should be published, but the vice reader will
not expect too much from them. In poins Of fact the
public flready know nearly 81 Tia tsese journals have
10 tell and tbey ara ufehl ess for the information
which they kavs 10 convey. than for suth ncating,
summarize cg and WITHHOLDING little bietoss
that have long since been nooFious The war ships of
tho Confederate States have been nknamed BY their
nemes - ratss" and, whether they pirates or NOT
1, ia certain that they have much active service
as vessels saOg under the black dag are ever Ae go
through.
Il, Sas easier for the President Of the Southern States
70 sx,emnorz, an army THAI 10 build SHIPS and create
navy Having no ,es worthy OF the name, It is gu 70
wonderful to observe What damage few able aud reso-
Int mep sailing IN or two unsupported ships, con-
triyed 10 inalcs on tbe enemy. They destroyed an
enormous sm unt Of their enemies properly, and it is
NOS much Cxaggeeadoo to say that they have driven
tho merchant ships Of New York, Blston and other
Northern p9Tts, ton the ocean. Tne man Who has
achieved NEST toward this end ia undoubtedly Gap ain
Semmes and are invited in these volumes 10 consider
the means 40 his dFpos4l tbs SlntT, which at first
tho whole strength Of the Confederate navy,
was msrehsnt screw steamer OF no more than sol
tons burden She bad been known previously as the
HayanIah under Whio name she had Piled as packet
solo between New 0lesns aud the port Of her own
name Her a, cka we're disitCumbered Of tho upper
cabins che had carried ass1Dger boat beah-
deck Wal laid for tue officers and c'eWi the main
dgok was strengthtn'd to carry guns, aud she was
aimed With an 8 loeb she'll gun, mounted IN
plyot bstWee,, the tore and mAn masts and four "a
Do,pder how tiers az o broadsde battery The Sumter
sscsped 10 see on The 20h Of jane 1884, end on the
% OF the so owing FsDruary she broke down 90 cem
is,ely az Oadiz that she was pronouposd init Tor fds
Ter ryos career thus lasted CD )ut eight months
n that tine sbe had mSds Is captures bat on The other
ia ~ the account il be remembered, that two
of be prz,s were TecspuTed by the enemy, and that
m esa than ssvn of them we're released by the Gap
tsin General OF Cuba into whose urisd con they had
bssa sent Toe effective captures, therefore amounted
l. 40 mere than nine OF Whch seven we're burnt, With
all tie GARAGES on b1srd while two were RELEASED on
hsavy ransom bond. Captain S'mnss esiGstss.the
sss which he thus Cied on he enemy at 81 600 600
SAY RlO0 COO and We do rot think that his is 81
Grafton II TO the value OF the ships ana esrgoes
dseIToyed We add the sums OF money suok In hnn:ng
the Sumter from 10 sea, the BcFeAs rates OF IN
sursnoe which her depredAons ntcesSits:ed, snd the
les, of pFoh;s In the Carrying trsds.
Tae new VSssel to bh CaUtsil SeImss wa " rs
fsFed she Alabama, was d.u % the kiE> Of h inter
"a was IN. II fast eH slOop of 040 lois giser
vita two s;sam igii e. each hsEng 500 10 poEtr
and coal su ksrs made for $50 ,on' COS. The An
b,ua 20. oas Of h Ne sey yu the go OF Jay, 1889
a1d o. tie 2Ith o. he Rowing mon Captain Semme'
-
Tbs Cuss q the Alabama an the Ssn.tsr, from the P
yase other PsP Of Ooauandsr senmss "
Ivdsrsse Navy and ether oeeTs IL Voh London
saandsrs, otsy Dc,