Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-08-06

transport had preceded her with war ma
terial Capt Raphael Semmes. with his
officers, carried by the Confederate
cruiser Bahama. met her there. Under
the lee of the island, outside the marine
league, we dashed our ships together, and
made the transfer of armament and
stores.
Arriving Wednesday, August 20, 1862,
by Saturday night we had completed the
transfer. and Sunday morning. under
cIoudless sky. upon the broad Atlantic,
a common heritage. we put the Alabama
In commission, by authority of the Con-
federate States government. Thus en-
powered. we proceeded to ship such men
from the crews of the several ships as
were willing to sign the articles. Eighty
men signed. and these formed the nu-
cIeus Of our crew, the full complement
being soon made up from the crews OF
our prizes. We then commenced our
cruise of twenty-five months. during which
she more successfully accomplished the
work that of destroying the enemy s
shipping for which she was constructed
than had any single ship of any nation
In any age.
The Alabama was built for speed rath-
g. than battle Her lines were SYM
metricaI and fine; her material OF the
best In fifteen minutes her propeller
could be hoisted. and she could go through
impeachment In less time her propeller
could he lowered; with sails furled and
yards braced within two points of a head
wind. she was a perfect steamer. Her
speed, independent. was from ten to
twelve knots: combined and under favor
able circumstances she could make fif-
teen knots When ready for sea she
drew fifteen feet Of water She was
harkentine rugged. with long lower masts
which enabled her to carry an immense
spread of lower canvas. and TO lie close
TO the wind. Her engines were OF 300
horsepower. with condensing apparatus
that was Indispensable. Since we lived
principally upon provisions taken from
our prizes, their water supply was never
sufficient. our condenser enabled us TO
keep the sea for long periods as We had
TO seek port only for Goals.
Our armament consisted of eight guns
one Blakely 1oO-pounder rified gun, pivot
ed forward: one S-inch solid shot gun.
pivoted abaft the mainmast. and six 81
Founders in broadside. Our crew num-
hered about 40 men and twenty-four Of
fcerS. The commander Capt. SemmeS,
had been an officer of high standing in
the old navy. had studied law, paying
particular attention to the international
branch, and had been admitted to the
bar in Ala bama OF which state he was
citizen. Thus he was eminently qualified
for the position he was now called upon
TO assume. During the Mexican war he
commanded the brig Somers in the block
ade OF Vera Cruz. and lost that unfortu-
nate vessel in chase. during a norther,
and narrowly escaped drowning He
afterward accompanied the army to the
City of Mexico.
OF the crew of the Alabama I cannot
say too much. II was made UP from all
the seafearing nations of the globe. with
a large sprinkling of Yankee tars (among
whom are TO be found the best sailors),
and with nucleus of Southern pilots and
seamen from the ports of Savannah,
Charleston and New Orleans. The
pilots were given the positions of petty
officers, and sustained their reputation
noby, materially aiding in the discipline