The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1917-01-25
GERMAN SEA
RAIDERS RECORD
Recalls Day When Alabama
Swept the Sea of u. S. Ships.

working havoc upon shipping of the en-
tente powers and 16 or Is ships have
already been destroyed. The toll prob
ably will be still larger before she is
hunted down and destroyed in turn by
cruisers that are now sweeping the
seas IN search of her.
during the civil war this practice
was carried to the ends of the earth by
confederate cruisers which made no
disguise of their character. The Ala
bama destroyed So merchant ships;
the Florida, SO; the Shenandoah, 40;
the Tallahassee. II; the Georgia, five,
and several others a smaller number,
the total destruction being 1853 ships
and the money loss in ships and car
goes was rated at little less than 500
900, 600
Today ships of all classes average
much larger IN size and cargo capacity
and the loss is correspondingly greater
when they are destroyed. This rsiding
by confederate cruisers was carried all
around the world. even to whalers IN
the arctic seas. Government cruisers
were sent in pursuit of them as fast as
possible. but in those days there was
no wireless, not even an ocean cable,
and by the time news OF raiders de-
predations would reach the govern
ment naval department the offender
would be perhaps 1000 miles away and
perhaps in another ocean.
The Kearsarge came upon the cruis-
er Alabama off the coast of France in
the summer of 1864 and followed her into
the harbor of Cherbourg. International
law forbade an attack in time, usually "a
hours after the entrance in French
waters. 1t also required the pursuing
cruiser to wait certain enemy cruiser
had left port, before starting in pursuit.
Capt. Winslow, of the Kearsarge, sent
a challenge to Capt. Raphael Semmes,
of the Alabama, to fight him on the
high seas.
Semmes might have claimed the
privilege Of international law, but he
was a brave commander and also a good
sport, so he accepted. The Kearsarge
went beyond the-mile limit and waited.
The Alabama steamed out. accompa-
MED by French frigate to see that
territorial limits were respected. When
the Alabama was seven miles off shore
the Kearsarge steered for her. The
Alabama opened fire at a range of
1000 yards, whereas warships Of the
present day begin firing at more than
ten times the range. The two ships
circled about one another, the Kear-
sarge gradually shortening the distance,
because her guns were less effective
than the Armstrong rihed cannon Of
the Alabama Presently she opened
fire with telling effect At the end of
an hour the Alabama showed a white
flag over her stern. Winslow ceased
firing and drew nearer, when suddenly
the Alabama fired two shots at close
range and then tried to escape back in
to the French harbor.
Winslow turned loose a couple of
broadsides and 3 boat came from the
Alabama to report her surrender and
that she was in a sinking condition
The British ship Deerhound took off
Semmes and mis- officers, but instead of
delivering them to Winslow she carried
them to England. Winslow picked up
50 of the crew OF The Alabama, which
went down in 20 minutes.
In October, 1854, the United States
sloop of war Wachusett discovered the
cruiser Florida at Bahia, Brazil, and
took position about half mile from
her. A Brazilian corvette took a posi-
ton between the two to prevent hostili-
ties in Brazilian waters, Capt. Collins
of the Wachusett was so eager to &C
complish his aim after long and dis
couraging pursuit that he resolved to
take liberties with international law
and to risk giving serious offense to
Brazil. 1t was his intention to run
down the Florida and sink her as she
lay at anchor and make it appear as an
accident, but his intention was perfect
~ evident when he steamed around the
corvette and rammed the Florida on her
starboard quarter,
Finding that the Florida was not yet
in sinking condition, he fired two can
non shots into her and a volley from
small farms. This was an outrage
against Brazil which subsequently led
to an apology from the government of
the United States. Collins was court
martialed for the offence. At the time
of the attack the captain of the Florida
and most of his officers were ashore in
Bahia relying upon the protection of
international law and Brazilian law.
Thus they escaped capture but the re-
manicure of the crew was taken aboard
the Wachusett.
The Shenandoah cruised from Mel
bourne. Australia, to Behring sea, de-
stroying 25 whalers en- route. The first
information Cant. Waddell her cop-