The New York herald., 1877-08-31
OBITU Y.

CAPTAIN ADMIRAL RAPHAEL sEMMEs.
A telegram from Mobile, Ala, under date Of August
81, which reached this city yesterday afternoon, an
nounced tho death OF Captain Raphael Sem
mes, OK officer Of the United States Navy, and
"Admrar' OF the rebel navy OF the Confederate
States. and commander OF the famous pirate Alabama.
He expired at Point Clear, at ten minutes past
O'Clock yesterday morning
Raphael Scmmes was born IN Charles county, Mary
land, the 2'h OF September, IN the year lsoa Hc
entered the United States Navy as a nidshlpnan III
the year 1926, became lieGtonant 1851 and pro-
moled commander IN the year 1876 In tho year 1884,
wnlle waiting orders, he studied law nj subse-
quenty admitted 10 the bar at Cumberland. Md.
During the progress of the war between ihe United
States and Mexico he served board ship, aud on
land az aide TO General Worth He was aiterward
appointed 10 the secrctaryship OF the Lighthouse
Board, at Washington d. c. When The war Of the
rebellion against the Union broke out he resigned
this position ana took command Of the Confederate
war steamer Sumter, a. New Orleans, ran the block
ade OF the mouth or the Mississippi and, IN the month
OF july 1861 capurod several American vessels In the
Gulf He then went to Southampton, England, where
hc was Tor some time very closely watched by the
United States steamer Tuscarora Scmules, however,
got cut To sea- Altar he put of the Tuscai was
detained 10 port during space OF twenty-iour
hours b. The British government authorities
She followed HIM, notwithstanding, to tho straits
OF Gibraltar, aud bockadcd him 20 closely IN
the port OF Innsier that no was Obliged 10 sell his
vessel. he then returned to England In the month
Of August 1862, Se!nnes look command oi Tho
steamer. Alabama, which was built tor h,m by tho
LaIrds, at Birkcuhead, England, aud manned by an
English crew. la tns ship he continued his daring
career oil csptu aud 10 M
vessels Ou the llth OF January, 1858, he engaged
the Unued States gunDoat Hattera., on Galveston,
1exa, and after a Uriei anu suarp action suns hcr.
Her subsequent career WAS most disastrous 10 Amsr-
commerce ut sea- as has Dsen shown the record
OF the Geneva Court OF Arbitration. On the l3th OF
June, 1864, the Uuited states steamer kearsirge,
winch had been III pursuit oi The Alabama under
command OF Captain Wnalow, ovcrhaucd Scmmes'
prieaeer snip nne miles OF tue harbor oil Cncrpourg,
France, niid after bret engagement sunk the rebel
vessel Captain ("AdmiraP') Semn.es WAS taken up
ny tnc Dccrhound ao Engilsn yacht, aud carried 10
England. Alter The close OF tho lie returned TO
the United Safes and entered upon tue practice law
IN MOBILE, Ala. He was arrested iu 1900 und taken 10
Washiu son, u. e., but was only imprsvncd durins
term ol four months. lie has had pretty active lilo
since time OF his hberatou. lie Delivered lectures
the subject OF bis exploits al sea, published book
entitled Servcc AfOat ana Ashore DrrIn. the Moxl-
c.u Var" us5lL Champaign OF General scott iu tho
Valley OF Mexico" Qs52l "fhe Criise OF the Alabama
AMI sumter l.ondon aud New YORK, 1884 anu ''he
mors oi Scrvics float During the War Between the
staies'' baltimore, 1859 NJ. Seritncs has also ec
turcd ut many puonc institutions, and Was
generally regarded In tho laicr years oil his -, dc.
spite his Aaoama history as all aDlc man ana hu nc
compshed officer. la tue ear years oi MS PROBES.
sona career rs Lieutenant he did very litie duty,
always avoiding H. He served about Two years III the
West India and Gulf station under Commodore Dallas,
IN 1898 and ls3.. Within ths time h,d Two tempo
rary cominands, tho first a river steamer, whicn lie
lost the oyster banks at the entrance OF Wuha
cooche IN tioriJa. HIS second command was the un-
fortunate brig 5omers IN which the sdsil acken2ie
tragedy enacted This brig casizcd uear Nefa
Cruz in nortner while uneera cloud oi canvas. Many
Of Tue crew perisncI ~ sghi oi the MsxcAns on the
mole o Vera cruz For q long t.ns he remained un-
employed, the Navy Department refusing 10 place
him on duty. purng Blcnalan's acniin !siration,
through tue influence vi senator snGs, SeinEcs was
appo nted Lighthouse Inspector at Noble, and when
the head oil Thai department was seh' TO command
tho Paraguay expedition he was sudreGly transferred
TO Wash atVn Secretary OF the Lighthouse Board
Secretary DIX disn!s.e: Scmmcs and coaffefe, and
bo.n leli Washington forgetting, was sald " pay
their debts.