Nov 14, 2015 the following conversation between english ship captain hillyar and capt. In contrast to many civil war army generals, little has been written about admiral raphael semmes. The family were catholics and among the earliest settlers in lord baltimores colony. Pdf the ghost ship of brooklyn download full pdf book. Raphael semmes download ebook pdf, epub, tuebl, mobi. Now, with unparalleled authority, depth, and a vivid sense of the excitement and. She left port on july 29, 1862, and was armed with eight guns off the azores before being commissioned as a confederate warship on august 24. Raphael semmes was born on september 27, 1809, in charles county, maryland to richard thompson semmes and his wife catherine middleton. Crime and punishment in early maryland, by semmes, raphael and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. In his stunning new book, awardwinning journalist brian hicks plumbs the depths of this fabled nautical mystery and finally uncovers the truth. Not originally built to be a war ship but in 1862 the confederates gave it a crew and weapons but manned by brits. Navy personnel wilsons creek national battlefield u.
At the helm of the alabama, he became the most hated and feared man along the union coast, as well as a confederate legend. Stephen chapin kinnaman was born in 1950 and grew up in upstate new york and new jersey. Raphael semmes september 27, 1809 august 30, 1877 was an officer in the united states navy from 1826 to 1860 and the confederate states navy from 1860 to 1865. He and his family lived on the side of a mountain and the tennessee river was their back yard. He published a collection of memoirs and war reminiscences describing his service in the navy during the civil war.
That is why raphael semmes was never tried for any crimes. Until then, he had been a serving officer in the united states navy from 1826 to 1860 during the american civil w ar, sem mes was ca ptain of the cruiser css alabama, the most successful commerce raider in maritime history, taking 65 prizes. Css alabama and raphael semmes confederate raider and warrior. The great war is an alternate history trilogy novel by harry turtledove, which follows how few remain. Are quotes accurate for conversation between english ship. Raphael semmes of the aalbama is in fine condition with a typical oval mount on a 4 x 2 38 cdv card. Raphael semmes has 25 books on goodreads with 218 ratings.
Jon semmes, captain and guide at singing river tours, was born in scottsboro, alabama, in 1968. Joseph benedict semmes, who, at the time, was a member of congress from piscataway, who, at the time, no united states naval. In june 1865 raphael semmes was promoted to admiral and was put in command of the james river squadron that was protecting richmond. His gravestone states otherwise, stating his parents are phineas jr. This almost ends the saga of rear admiral raphael semmes, and his intrepid ship, css alabama, over 22 months, had captured 64 merchant vessels and a union warship, in the last gunnery duel between wooden ships, she met her match off cherbourg, and was sunk by uss kearsarge, on the 19th. Captain raphael semmes commanded the raider alabama throughout her two years of service. Semmes was born in maryland to a slaveholding family and entered the united states navy in 1826. This is a digitized version of an article from the timess print archive, before the start of online publication in 1996. Raphael semmes and the confederate navy abbeville institute. It is probable that no individual naval commander nor any single ship in our long history has recorded a more spectacular success in that field. If youre a civil war buff, or a sailor you should have a book, on raphael semmes, this book would be a good choice.
Sons of confederate veterans admiral raphael semmes. Books by raphael semmes author of memoirs of service afloat. Known as the nelson of the confederacy for his daring exploits, semmes rallied the hopes of alabamians and other southerners during the waning days of the civil war. During the american civil war he was captain of the famous commerce raider css alabama, taking a record sixtynine prizes. During the american civil war, semmes was captain of the cruiser css. The waters off brazil were good hunting grounds for alabama. Raphael semmes and the notorious confederate raider css alabama stephen fox, author. Css alabama vs uss kearsarge ebook by mark lardas rakuten kobo.
The portrait of the latter is from a photograph taken by a. Summary raphael semmes, headandshoulders portrait, facing slightly right. Among those released was the mail steamer ariel, taken off cuba on 7 december with hundreds of passengers on board. Rear admiral raphael semmes, confederate states navy, 18091877. Captain bulloch presents the full story of the life and times of this most remarkable man. This vacation home may be pet friendly, with prior permission. Orphaned at an early age, he moved to georgetown, dc to live with his uncle and later attended charlotte hall military academy. Prior to this, he had been a serving officer in the united states navy from 1826 through 1860 during the american civil war, semmes was captain of the cruiser css alabama, the most successful commerce raider in maritime history, taking 65 prizes. Captain eaton was not on watch at the time and was never seen by the men.
Stop by bienville books and pick up the brandnew book. Captains and mariners of early maryland raphael semmes snippet view 1979. Theyre a demanding form, the sonnet to the fulllength biographys epic, and push their authors to, in the words of herbert butterfield, search. Semmes draws upon his private journals and papers to unfold his memories of capturing merchant vessels and skillfully eluding union warships while commanding both the alabama and sumter.
Raphael semmes biography, quotes, works and writings. Foreword commerce raiding has always been a recognized and accepted method of sea warfare. Alabama the politically incorrect illustrated south. Commanded by captain raphael semmes, alabama cruised in the north atlantic and west indies during the rest of 1862, capturing over twodozen union merchant ships, of which all but a few were burned. Raphael semmes nonfiction history of the civil war. Raphael semmes american steam merchant ships hit by. What mobiles iconic semmes statue says about the debate over.
Raphael semmes confederate ship css alabama occurred during the war on august 5th, 1861. If the cruise of a ship is a biography, then the ship becomes a central character in a life story. Sumter, followed by three chapters on his precivil war life. Raphael semmes by colyer meriwether books by the man himself beware, he was a lawyer. Raphael semmes, rear admiral, confederate states navy, brigadier general, confederate states army. The book opens narrating semmes running the blockade from new orleans with the c. Raphael semmes september 27, 1809 august 30, 1877 was an officer in the united states navy from 18261860 and the confederate states navy from 18601865. The book gives a description of the building of the ship, and its commissioning.
The mary celeste was cursed as soon as she was launched on the bay of fundy in the spring of 1861. Im trying to fix that, and just last week i ran across john m. By abigail major did you know there was a push to create a camel corps. Promoted to the rank of commander in 1855, semmes was assigned to. From 18621864 the alabama left a trail of burning wrecks across the oceans of the globe as it sought to apply pressure to break the will of the north to carry on its war against southern independence. By the time that semmes was ready to try and exit from new orleans and run the blockade, he was bottled up by union ships including the 21 gun uss brooklyn, plus 3 of the heaviest and fastest steam ships of the usn, the 52 gun, 3,307 ton minnesota, the 32 gun, 4,582 ton niagra, plus the 16 gun, 3,765 ton powhatan. The electrifying story of raphael semmes and the css alabama, the confederate. Raphael semmes was the first and most important confederate naval hero.
Semmes the man was a good deal more complicated than semmes the legend. Read raphael semmes s biography, works and quotes online for free. Confederate raider is the enthralling story of the civil war as fought on the high seas by raphael semmes, the confederacys most famous and revered naval officer. Dec 18, 2018 ive studied infantry combat a lot and while you can never grasp every subtopic in your field, ive grown keenly aware of one big weakness in my studiesnaval history. This dauphin island vacation rental is a second tier home on the gulf of mexico beach, and has great gulf views from nearly every room. A regiment of yankees couldnt have kept me from seeing you off. This book, in particular, focuses on his almost twoyear stint as captain of the infamous confederate privateer, the alabama. Next he took command of css alabama, an englishbuilt raider, and. During the american civil war, semmes was captain of the cruiser css alabama, the most successful commerce raider in. Island time ii has mahogany planked floors, high ceilings, double french. Winslow, of the kearserge, and of captain raphael semmes, late of the alabama. Captain semmes and 41 other crewmen were picked up by the deerhound and escaped to england. In the book, he recounted a conversation with a british captain during the war in which he supposedly told the seaman that the north used slavery as an excuse to.
During the mexican war, he commanded the brig uss somers in the gulf of mexico. Thus captain raphael semmes drew the scene as the historic kearsargealabama battle unfolded alabama mounted 8 guns to kearsarges 7. Raphael semmes and the css alabama essential civil war. The birthdate of rear admiral raphael semmes the naval.
The other incidents reported were also debunked by witnesses, victims and logs. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle coronavirus. Yet, captain winslow of kearsarge enjoyed a superiority in weight of broadside including two heavy xiinch dahlgren guns while semmes had but one heavy gun, an viiiinch. This trilogy is an alternative imaginary scenario of world war i, between 1914 and 1917, as a result of the confederate states victory over the united states in 1862. Naval hero for all the south, raphael semmes 18091877 sailed two famous confederate raiders. Raphael semmesconfederate rear admiral and brigadier general raphael semmes 18091877 left an enduring legacy as captain of the css alabama, the most famous of the confederate commerce raiders. Nov 30, 2014 seconds later another torpedo struck behind the bridge in the way of number four hatch, and this one was deeper than the first and fatal to the ship.
The complete handbook of americas bloodiest conflict by clifford l. The two boys were taken into the family of raphael semmes, of georgetown, d. This is a biography about semmes and his exploits on the sea. Captain semmes very fortunately let his pen flow fluently when he recorded these. The ferranti mark is bold on the back with the all important embossing of j. Raphael semmes is a native of maryland, and entered the united states navy 1st of april, 1826. Raphael semmes february 7, 2016 those who havent witnessed semmes onstage are shortchanging their ears, but theyll have plenty of opportunities in the coming year, as he plays with several jazz ensembles around town. The captain of the alabama, raphael semmes was seen as a pirate by the union, but in the confederate states, he was considered a hero. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. In july 1862, confederate captain raphael semmes took command of a secret new warship. Raphael semmess most popular book is memoirs of service afloat.
Raphael semmes was a confederate officer in the american civil war, commanding ships in the confederate and the united states navy. Rear admiral raphael semmes, confederate states navy, 18091877 raphael semmes was born in charles county, maryland, on 27 september 1809. Raphael semmes and the notorious confederate raider css alabama stephen fox published by. It is a summary from a welleducated southerner who is stating his reasons for fighting. Center in july 2014 as part of the annual sacred trust talks and book signings. Raphael semmes quotes author of memoirs of service afloat. Semmes resigned his commission and joined the confederate navy. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. Born in charles county, md on september 27, 1809, raphael semmes was the fourth child of richard and catherine middleton semmes. Origin of navy terminology naval history and heritage command. Raphael semmes, the confederacys foremost sailor, was writing about his infamous css alabama but the thought applies equally to her successor, the css shenandoah.
At the outbreak of the war he commanded the cruiser c. Raphael semmes and the notorious confederate raider css alabama is a fluid and captivating tale of the confederate raider helmed by the confederate admiral raphael semmes. Next he took command of css alabama, an englishbuilt raider, and terrorized u. On june 15, 1864 congress finally enacted legislation granting equal pay to negro soldiers. Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search.
Raphael semmes faced many challenges as a boy and a man. In one of the great feats in the history of naval warfare, he took his swift commerce raider, the css alabama, on a 22month rampage through the atlantic and indian oceans, hunting union merchant vessels. During the american civil war he was captain of the famous commerce raider css alabama, which took a record sixtyfive prizes. On 4 april 1863, she captured ship louisa hatch with a large cargo of coal, from cardiff for ceylon. Memoirs of service afloat,during the war between the states by semmes raphael at the best online ebook storage. Within 22 months, semmes and the alabama had captured 67 vessels, burning most of them and destroying fivemillion dollars worth of enemy shipping. Download and read online for free memoirs of service afloat,during the war between the states by semmes raphael.
Reasons for the rear admiral raphael semmes left an. This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want. In 1849, he moved his family to mobile, alabama, to be near the navy base at pensacola, florida, and to practice law during leaves. Alabama images from his book, memoirs of service afloat. The ships of captain bulloch by stephen kinnaman youtube. In 1835, he took the maryland bar exam to pursue a career as a lawyer. Raphael semmes and the notorious confederate raider css alabama book. Raphael semmes decision to engage the kearsarge, june, 1864.
Prior to this, he had been a serving officer in the united states navy from 1826 through 1860. He outfitted css sumter in 1861 and captured 18 union merchant ships in six months before the raider was blockaded at gibraltar. On this page we give the portraits of captain john a. Knopf 2007 this book is well written and introduces a very human raphael semmes. Her first captain died before completing the maiden voyage. Memoirs of service afloat,during the war between the states. The cruise of the alabama and the sumter raphael semmes. Why semmes of the alabama was not tried part i the. Click download or read online button to get raphael semmes book now. The confederate raider, alabama selections from memoirs of service afloat during the war between the states a premier civil war classic by semmes, raphael and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.
Before entering the navy as a midshipman in 1826, he attended the charlotte hall military academy in mechanicsville, maryland. Captain winslow was born in wilmington, north carolina, in 1811. September 27, 1809 august 30, 1877 was an officer in th e confederate na vy during the american civil war. Late in the war he was promoted to admiral and also served briefly as a brigadier general in the confederate. Confederate agents in britain illegally purchased a woodenhulled, 220foot gunboat and turned it over to captain raphael semmes, bookish, aloof veteran of an undistinguished career in the u. Admiral bamboozle binnacle list bitter end boatswain boatswains pipe bokoo bully boys bumboats captains mast carry on chaplains charley noble chewing the fat chit cockswain or coxswain crows nest dead horse devil to pay ditty bags dog watch dungarees ensign fathom geedunk gundecking he knows the ropes horse latitudes in through the hawsepipe jacobs ladder keelhaul knot log book masterat. While the captain and crew of the union ship deserve due credit for the victory, the alabamas fate was, in part, sealed by stale gunpowder. First published over 100 years ago, cruise of the alabama and the sumter is raphael semmes.
It was a beautiful place of huge rock, giant twisted vines and freshflowing streams running down the mountain. Raphael semmes september 27, 1809 august 30, 1877 was an officer in the confederate navy during the american civil war. Completing his education, semmes elected to pursue a naval career. History 5th period 102815 raphael semmes confederate rear admiral raphael semmes left an everlasting endowment as captain of the css alabama. Admiral raphael semmes navy and marine living history. Whether youve loved the book or not, if you give your honest and detailed thoughts then people will find new books that are right for them. Oliver semmes, usn, retired, recited the charge of his greatgrandfather, admiral raphael semmes, csn, to his crew as the css alabama embarked for battle from cherbourg, france, on september 19, 1864, the flag that floats over you is that of a young republic who bids defiance to her enemies whenever and. September 27, 1809 august 30, 1877 was an officer in the confederate navy during the american civil war. Raphael semmes confederate naval officer britannica.
Raphael semmes confederate rear admiral and brigadier general raphael semmes 18091877 left an enduring legacy as captain of the css alabama, the most famous of the confederate commerce raiders. The book is very well written and offers a southern perspective of captain. The law was made retroactive to january 1, 1864 for all black soldiers, and retroactive to the time of enlistment for those negroes who had been free on april 19, 1861. Nineteen crewmen were lost, and the uss kearsearge picked up the rest. Other readers will always be interested in your opinion of the books youve read. Raphael semmes, american confederate naval officer whose daring raids in command of the manofwar alabama interfered with union merchant shipping during the middle two years of the american civil war 186165. Typically the captain took his mess in his state room. These read like legal briefs, brief being the last word anyone would use to describe his writings. Admiral raphael semmes, famed for his exploits as captain of the confederate sea wolf, alabama, and now commander of the james river squadron of ironclad gunboats, nodded and smiled through a heavily waxed moustache and a small goatee protruding beneath his lower lip. He passed in april, 1832, number three in a class of thirtyseven, and was made a lieutenant in. Raphael semmes was an officer in the confederate navy during the american civil war. It is part of turtledoves southern victory series of novels. Happily, taylors semmes proves excellent in all three regards. Island time ii is a 4 bedroom beach house on dauphin islands west end beach with its own private, heated pool.
Journal, september 1624, 1863 a barkrigged sailing ship equipped with an auxiliary steam engine, the alabama was built at the laird shipyard in liverpool. Navy until the federal invasion of the south in 1861. Maffitt continued to push the css florida at its highest speed toward the channel near fort. Within two minutes raphael semmes sank by the bow, her engines having stopped. Yet many of his northern contemporaries considered the yankeehating semmes nothing more than a pirate. It captured over sixty union vessels before it accepted a challenge from a union cruiser in 1864 off the coast of france. Sacred trust talks 2014 stephen fox gettysburg foundation.
Taylor corrects this with his excellent biography of raphael semmes. In the book, he recounted a conversation with a british captain during the war in which he supposedly told the seaman. Liberty is always destroyed by the multitude, in the name of liberty. Captain raphael semmes was hobbled by an international crew that included more mercenary adventurers than southerners, and their reluctance to submit to strong discipline created problems. It is probable that no individual naval commander nor any single ship in our long history has recorded a more spectacular success in that field than captain raphael semmes of the confederate navy and his c. The book was viewed as one of the most cogent but bitter defenses written. The civil war naval encyclopedia 2 volumes spencer c. Entering the navy as a midshipman in 1826, he subsequently studied law and was admitted to the bar while remaining in the service.
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