The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1911-08-26
BY CAPT. JOHN M. KELL,

tine most famous OF all confederate
cruisers) was built by the Lairds of
Birkenhead, England, for the Confed-
crate States government In the House
Of Commons the senior partner of the
constructors stated that she left
Liverpool perfectly legitimate trans
action Capt James d. Bulloch, an
agent for the Confederacy, superin-
tended her construction As a "ruse"
she was sent on a trial trip, with a
large party of ladies' and gentlemen.
/ A tug met the ship in the channel
and took off the guests, while the
ship proceeded on her voyage to the
Island OF TerCeira, one of the Azores,
whittier a transport had preceded her
with war material Capt Raphael
Semmes. with his officers, carried by
the Confederate cruiser Bahama, met
her there Under the lee of the ISL
and, outside the marine league, we
dashed our ships together, and made
the transfer of armament and stores.
Arriving on Wednesday, Aug. 20,
1862, by Saturday night we had com
pleted the transfer, and on Sunday
morning, under a cloudless sky, upon
the broad Atlantic, common
heritage, we put the Alabama in COM
mission, 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 nucleus of our crew,
the full complement being soon
made up from the crews of our prizes.
We then commenced our cruise of
jtwenty-one months, during which she
more successfully accomplished the
work Chat of destroying the enemy s
shipping) for which she was construct
ed than had any single ship of any
nation in any age
The Ship, Armament and Crew.
The Alabama was built for speed
rather than battle. Her lines were
symmetrical and fine; her material OF
the best. In fifteen minutes hel
propeller could be hoisted, and she
could go through every evolution
under sail without any impeachment
In less time her propeller could b.
lowered; and sails furled, and yards
e braced within two points of a heaC
. wind, she was perfect steamer. He
speed, independent, was from ten tC
twelve knots; combined, and under ia
vorable circumstances she could make
fifteen knots. When ready for sea
she drew fifteen feet of water. She
was barkentine rugged, with long
lower masts, which enabled her to
carry an immense spread of lower
canvas, and to lay close to the wind
Her engines were of 300 horse power
with a cOndensing apparatus that was
Indispensable. Since we lived prin.
cipally upon provisions taken from
our prizes, their water supply was
never sufficient, Our condenser en-.
abled us to keep to sea for long
periods, as we had to seek port only
for Goals.
Our armament consisted of eight
guns; one Blakely 1OOpounder rified
gun, piyoted forward; one eight-inch
solid-shot gun, pivoted abaft the
mainmast and six thirty-two-pound.
ers in broadside. Our crew numbered
about 100 men and twenty-four Off.
GERS. The commander, Capt. Sem.
mes, 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 a citi
zen Thus he was eminently qualified
for the position he was now called
upon to assume. During the Mexican
war he commanded the brig Somers
I in the blockade of Vera Cruz, and
lost that unfortunate vessel in chase
during norther, and narrowly es
capped drowning. He afterward &C
companied the army to the City OF
Mexico.
OF the crew of the Alabama can.
not say too much It was made up
from all the seafaring nations of the
globe, with a large sprinkling OF
Yankee tars (among whom are to
be found the best sailors), and with
a nucleus of Southern pilots and sea-
men from the ports of Savannah,
Charleston, and New Orleans. The
pilots were given the positions of
petty officers, and sustained their
reputation nobly, materially aiding in
the discipline of the crew, for upon
our peculiar service, and with our
Ir.n IF..1