Semmes

One manùCapt. Raphael Semmesùdominates the history of Confederate naval operations in the American Civil War. Although the Confederates were hopelessly outnumbered at sea, Semmes roamed the oceans first in the CSS SUMTER and then the CSS ALABAMA, capturing nearly 100 Federal merchant ships and precipitating a flight from the American flag that decimated the Federal merchant marine. Revered in the South as a hero, the North reviled and feared the Yankee-hating Semmes as a pirate. Regardless of his reputation, his wartime exploits were remarkable.

Noted historian and biographer John M. Taylor illustrates how, under SemmesÆs command, the ALABAMA became a household name in America and overseas and struck fear into the hearts of shipsÆ crews and passengers alike. Incredibly, Semmes and the ALABAMA traveled 75,000 miles, and as far east as Singapore, without ever taking refuge in a Confederate port. In 1864, off the coast of Cherbourg, France, the UnionÆs USS KEARSAGE finally caught up with the Confederate raider and fought the last ever ship-to-ship gun duel between wooden warships.

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