Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1898-09-23

ing ships.
Tho Alabama was no formidable vessel.
Her tonnage was but 1000. Her speed was
10 knots, and her armament was n 8
inch shotgun aft, a 2 inch 100 FOUNDER for
ward and six SO Founders. She cost $780,
600. Her crew wero mostly hardy British
tars, but on tho decks were good Ameri-
cans, thorough seamen and daring fight
ers. Tho crew numbered IS men. The
Alabama was furnished by an English
member Of parliament. But her career of
daredevil rccklessness md her final cap
ture is u story that has no equal In the an
mails Of tho sea save in the eighteenth con-
fury exploits Of the f~reebooters.
In September, 1859, the Alabama cap
tured her first prize, the Ocmulgce, q
whaler. Tho sea then was dotted white
with sailing vessels from New England.
They proved easy prey for semmes. He
first plundered u vessel and then burned
her. Tho Alabama went everywhere. She
sailed and steamed up close to Now York
and there got newspapers from prizes.
From these newspapers Semmes took the
list Of departing vessels and lay in wait
for them. BY means Of these newspapers
he also managed to elude the feet Of pur-
suers.
semmes' career filled England with
As report after report calne In Of
captures ind fights as the little sea hornet
.darted here and there and left in its wake
q long line of plundered ships and burned
vessels tho English were filled with q de-
sire to gain privately from Semmes' in.
trepidity and recklessness. A syndicate
was formed to buy captured ships. 1t was
proposed to land them on the Hottentot
coast. AS q surety good English gold was
given Semmes and his crew, but the syn
dictate got no prizes.
So Sommes made his $4,000 mile cruise
In two years. He had captured single
handed SO American vessels. Fifty-threo
had been destroyed, nine released on ran
som bonds and one made into q tender.
Tho Alabama had inflicted an incredible
loss on American shipping. Suspected
Alabamas had been sighted by war vessels
from tho north time and again, but never
tho sight Of the hull Of the real vessel had
been seen. Merchantmen were continual
ly on tho watch for this ubiquitous vessel,
and they trembled at the sight Of every
unknown craft. It was an evil day for
shipping. This specter Of the deep swept
the seas everywhere, and thoro seemed to
BIO no safety whatever.
But on June II, 1854, the Alabama was
Eghted in the harbor Of Cherbourg,
Franco. Tho north thrilled with the news,
and all manne Of boats started in pursuit.
Tho kcarsargo was at Flushing, England,
and Captain Winslow steamed for battle.
The Alabama was both steam and sailing
vessel. Her screw could be hoisted out Of
the water when she wished to sail, and
each method of propulsion was entirely in
dependent Of the other.
Semncs might have escaped by flight,
but Semlnes was an American. He did
not know 1t, but his powder was aged and
damaged. His shells were defective. They
would not explode. His guns wero old
and incapable. But Semmes knew his
hardened, toughened crew. He knew his
own ability, and he would not finch. The
Alabama opened with her starboard bat
terry. Semmes tried to close, but the bull.
warks of tho Alabama were torn away and
tho pivot gun was disabled. The Alabama
began to leak. She hardly responded to
her helm. An II inch she'll exploded in
tho engine room. The Alabama gave the
death shiver.
Sails were set In the hopes of reaching
the French coast. where thousands vert
lined up to see the great duel.
"All hands savo yourselves!' wal given
and the wounded dispatched in the only
boat which was not shot to pieces. Selnmol
and his officers in full uniform stood or
deck. The Alabama was rapidly sinking
Its famous career was over. Semmes step
pod to tho edge Of the deck and throw hi
sword into tho sea. Then no followed.
He was picked up by the English zach
Decrhound and escaped to London. whcr
he became q hero. They presented hin
with swords and toasted and fctod hil
continually. He made his way back t
the south through Mexico. He was mad
rear admiral in command Of tho Jane
river squadron and guarded the approache
~ Richmond until the close Of the o
Semnes died in Mobile, Ala, in 1871
After the wal he was q lawyer, Judge, ed
tor and author. There is no doubt that fo
intrcpidity and daring no American ha
ever commanded q vessel who surpasse
him in sheer courage. He was also q
trcniely skillful, . good tacticion ana a
able strategist. That he inflicted million
OF dollars damage on the merchant feet
Of the north IL forgotten. What Is n
Meinbered Is that he was an American
Montgomery (Aia.) Advertiser.
Uuv,1s~~ "a Me-