In 1862, confederate captain raphael semmes took over the new warship the alabama, and became the most hated and feared man along the union coast, as well as a confederate legend. Raphael semmes confederate ship css alabama occurred during the war on august 5th, 1861. From the private journals and other papers of commander r semmes. Navy and was commissioned a commander in the confederate navy. What mobiles iconic semmes statue says about the debate over. Here is the tale of captain semmes s remarkable wartime exploits, told with a. When alabama withdrew from the union in 1861, semmes resigned from the u. Sons of confederate veterans admiral raphael semmes. 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. Rearadmiral raphael semmes, captain of the alabama.
Rear admiral raphael semmes, confederate states navy, 18091877. Memoirs of service afloat,during the war between the states by semmes raphael at the best online ebook storage. The point of divergence involves confederate states of america winning the american civil war and becoming an independent nation. Not originally built to be a war ship but in 1862 the confederates gave it a crew and weapons but manned by brits. The map shows the course of the two ships in cherbourg. Oct 11, 2009 what do we know about this man, confederate captain james william boyd, sixth regiment, tennessee volunteers. He served as captain of the uss somers billy budd inspiration due to incident before semmess command, and as an aide to general worth during the taking of mexico city.
Until then, he had been a serving officer in the united states navy from 1826 to 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. Nov 30, 2014 raphael semmes was 6,027 gross registered tons grt, and could carry 9,400 tons. First published over 100 years ago, cruise of the alabama and the sumter is raphael semmes. Taylor corrects this with his excellent biography of raphael semmes. Raphael semmes of alabama notoriety were supposed to have been dropped on the prison floor by the capt. He was promoted to captain and assumed command of the c. 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. Learn about captain raphael semmes a commerce raider during the american civil war from mobile historian, phil nassar. The birthdate of rear admiral raphael semmes the naval. Somers affair ends with hanging of three mutineers.
Alabama the politically incorrect illustrated south. Promoted to the rank of commander in 1855, semmes was assigned to. Kell csn, is in the background, standing by the ships wheel. There it receives its armaments, is commissioned under the command of raphael. Memoirs of service afloat during the war between the states by semmes, raphael, 18091877. 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. Raphael semmes was an officer in the confederate navy during the american civil war. Crime and punishment in early maryland the maryland paperback bookshelf by semmes, raphael and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Commemorations toolkits main navy birthday world war ii world war i centennial.
Until then, he had been a serving officer in the united states navy from 1826 to 1860. It is part of turtledoves southern victory series of novels. Semmes was born in maryland to a slaveholding family and entered the united states navy in 1826. Books by raphael semmes author of memoirs of service afloat.
Raphael semmes was the first and most important confederate naval hero. It captured over sixty union vessels before it accepted a challenge from a union cruiser in 1864 off the coast of france. Memoirs of service afloat, during the war between the states by raphael semmes cruise of the alabama and the sumter by raphael semmes hth, us alaska. Information from its description page there is shown below. Raphael semmes and the css alabama essential civil war. Raphael semmes is the gentleman pirate extraordinaire, but his razorsharp intelligence shows through also. We publish herewith a portrait of the famous pirate raphael semmes, now in command of the british pirateship alabama. Captain john ancrum winslow of the kearsarge won the battle and watched the wounded confederate cruiser vanish beneath the dark waters of the english channel.
Center in july 2014 as part of the annual sacred trust talks and book signings. Raphael semmes s most popular book is memoirs of service afloat. Sumter, followed by three chapters on his precivil war life. In subsequent turns, however, the marine player no longer enjoys the benefits of a captains cp bonus. Ss raphael semmes and the ss explorer courtesy louis cafiero rafts from the ss raphael semmes. Navy until the federal invasion of the south in 1861.
He passed in april, 1832, number three in a class of thirtyseven, and was made a lieutenant in. He was said to have been a prisoner of war captured in august of 1863, and who joined the union army in order to be able to go and see his dying wife. Raphael semmes confederate rear admiral and brigadier general raphael semmes 18091877 left an enduring legacy as captain of the css. Captain raphael semmes commanded the raider alabama throughout her two years of service.
Confederate captain james william boyd civil war history. Summary raphael semmes, headandshoulders portrait, facing slightly right. Captain semmes very fortunately let his pen flow fluently when he recorded these. 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. 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. The book opens narrating semmes running the blockade from new orleans with the c. In 1849, he moved his family to mobile, alabama, to be near the navy base at pensacola, florida, and to practice law during leaves. 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. An equally interesting book by raphael semmes is service afloat and ashore during the mexican war. In contrast to many civil war army generals, little has been written about admiral raphael semmes. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. Admiral raphael semmes navy and marine living history. Maffitt continued to push the css florida at its highest speed toward the channel near fort.
The cruise of the alabama and the sumter raphael semmes. The cruise of the alabama and the sumter by raphael semmes part 1 out of 8. Typically the captain took his mess in his state room. Raphael semmes and the notorious confederate raider css alabama stephen fox published by. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. He thus braved the discipline of the ship solely for a glass of grog. The quiet boyscholar undoubtedly dreamed of his own contributions to his countrys history but how. Knopf 2007 this book is well written and introduces a very human raphael semmes. At the outbreak of the war he commanded the cruiser c.
Raphael semmes by colyer meriwether books by the man himself beware, he was a lawyer. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle coronavirus. 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. Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. Raphael semmes, off the harbor of cherbourg, france. It is a summary from a welleducated southerner who is stating his reasons for fighting. Now, with unparalleled authority, depth, and a vivid sense of the excitement and danger of the time, stephen fox describes captain semmes remarkable wartime exploits. Alabama images from his book, memoirs of service afloat. Why semmes of the alabama was not tried part i the. Foreword commerce raiding has always been a recognized and accepted method of sea warfare. 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. This book, in particular, focuses on his almost twoyear stint as captain of the infamous confederate privateer, the alabama.
Commerce raiding has always been a recognized and accepted method of sea warfare. For almost two years semmes and his crew traversed the atlantic and. He was the only individual in the csn to be a crew member of both the css virginia in its battle with the uss monitor in 1862 and the raider css alabama under captain raphael semmes when she was sunk in june 1864 in the battle with the uss kearsarge in the english channel. After abandoning the sinking vessel, semmes and several of his officers signaled for sea. Yarnell, they formed the nucleus of a new us navy organization, the american naval planning section london. By donna r causey on june 19, 2014 63 2 0 share0 0 on june 19, 1864 the css alabama, captained by mobiles raphael semmes, was sunk at the end of a fierce naval engagement with the uss kearsarge off the coast of cherbourg, france.
Are quotes accurate for conversation between english ship. In july 1862, confederate captain raphael semmes took command of a secret new warship. In the book, he recounted a conversation with a british captain during the war in. 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. At the helm of the alabama, he became the most hated and feared man along the union coast, as well as a confederate legend.
Captain bulloch presents the full story of the life and times of this most remarkable man. The two boys were taken into the family of raphael semmes, of georgetown, d. This is a digitized version of an article from the timess print archive, before the start of online publication in 1996. 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. Raphael semmes nonfiction history of the civil war. During the american civil war, semmes was captain of the cruiser css. Memoirs of service afloat,during the war between the states.
The electrifying story of raphael semmes and the css alabama, the. Admiral raphael semmes camp 11 sons of confederate veterans. Raphael semmes of the aalbama is in fine condition with a typical oval mount on a 4 x 2 38 cdv card. The series covers events from 1862 to 1945 and features dozens of fictional characters, some of them analogues of real. Book a room at the quality inn hotel in mobile, al. Jan 01, 2007 wolf of the deep tells the tale of the c. Alabama is launched in liverpool and makes its way to the azores. Stephen chapin kinnaman was born in 1950 and grew up in upstate new york and new jersey. Previous part 1 next part 3 fireman jumped overboard and swam ashore, in spite of the efforts of a boat to catch him. Adapted from the biographical sketch for captain raphael semmes, jr. Joseph benedict semmes, who, at the time, was a member of congress from piscataway, who, at the time, no united states naval.
Raphael semmes, rear admiral, confederate states navy, brigadier general, confederate states army. Raphael semmes american steam merchant ships hit by. Im trying to fix that, and just last week i ran across john m. 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. Phil nassar explains the military history of captain raphael before and during the american civil war highlighting his actions as a blockade raider. The southern victory series is a series of alternate history novels written by harry turtledove. 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. This blog is a companion to a documentary that was in production at alabama public television about the civil war exploits of admiral raphael semmes, captain of the css sumter and the css alabama. The cruise of the alabama and the sumter by raphael semmes. Raphael semmes has 24 books on goodreads with 215 ratings. Schofield arrived in liverpool, england aboard the aptly named ocean liner rms adriatic. Raphael semmes was born on september 27, 1809, in charles county, maryland to richard thompson semmes and his wife catherine middleton.
Stop by bienville books and pick up the brandnew book. You can subscribe to the blog and be notified about new posts at the bottom of the page. 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. If a captain is removed from play, the marine player gets to spend any remaining extra cps during that turn. Before the procession to charlestons magnolia cemetery from the monument to the confederate defenders of charleston, the pall bearers posed for. Somers affair ends with hanging of three mutineers the. Captain semmes having taken the sumter into cadiz, spain. Buy a cheap copy of raphael semmes and the alabama civil. The complete handbook of americas bloodiest conflict by clifford l. Admiral raphael semmes camp 11 sons of confederate veterans mobile, alabama email for new member inquiries only. Theyre a demanding form, the sonnet to the fulllength biographys epic, and push their authors to, in the words of herbert butterfield, search. 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. The great war is an alternate history trilogy novel by harry turtledove, which follows how few remain.
This epic tale of maritime adventure in defense of a beloved homeland and righteous but doomed cause, all of it a true story, is my favorite book of all time. Ashore during the mexican war, a book about his war experiences published in 1851. Prior to this, he had been a serving officer in the united states navy from 1826 through 1860. Captain raphael semmes csn, css alabamas commanding officer, standing by his ships 68pounder smoothbore during her visit to capetown in august 1863. Download and read online for free memoirs of service afloat,during the war between the states by semmes raphael. This man was once in our navy, and acquired an unenviable reputation for bad conduct, which prevented his rising in the service. 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. Today, in the narrow confines of an humble grave, on the green banks of a little tranquil book, to which bienvilles brother gave his own name, in the retired and calm retreat of the. Raphael semmes confederate naval officer britannica. Phil nasser talked about captain raphael semmes, a commerce raider during the american civil war. Fifteen years after the foundering of the somers, raphael semmes would join the navy of the confederate states of america. Other readers will always be interested in your opinion of the books youve read. Fictional characters in the southern victory series wikipedia.
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. The cruise of the alabama and the sumter two volumes in one, carlton. Raphael semmes is a native of maryland, and entered the united states navy 1st of april, 1826. 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 justify robbery by means of its. Nov 14, 2015 the following conversation between english ship captain hillyar and capt. 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. Captain semmes was an officer in the united states navy.
The civil war naval encyclopedia 2 volumes spencer c. Next part 2 produced by curtis weyant, graeme mackreth and pg distributed proofreaders illustration. The semmes statue still stands, but the controversy raises two questions few. Happily, taylors semmes proves excellent in all three regards. The family were catholics and among the earliest settlers in lord baltimores colony. 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. Blockade runner spoils were thus marked by successful bidders and marketed to an anxious yankee market. Raphael semmes and the confederate navy abbeville institute. Sacred trust talks 2014 stephen fox gettysburg foundation. Semmes resigned his commission and joined the confederate navy. September 27, 1809 august 30, 1877 was an officer in the confederate navy during the american civil war. These read like legal briefs, brief being the last word anyone would use to describe his writings. Raphael semmess most popular book is memoirs of service afloat.
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