Cruise and Captures of the AlabamaGoodrich, Albert M.
History
Cruise and Captures of the Alabama
Goodrich, Albert M.
Alabama (Screw sloop); United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Naval operations, Confederate
Hardly a nation with any shipping at all that was not represented in this
great ocean roadway. Hanoverian and Uruguayan vessels, both of which were
overhauled, were not identified until they showed their flags.
On Sunday, the third day of May, the Union Jack, of Boston, was chased and
captured. The prize crew having gained her deck, away went the Alabama in
chase of another ship, which was also overhauled in about an hour. She
proved to be the Sea Lark, of New York. The Union Jack was bound for the
coast of China, and her master was taking his family out to make a
temporary home for them somewhere in the far east so long as his business
should require his presence in that part of the world. Rev. Franklin
Wright, just appointed United States consul at Foo Chow, was also a
passenger. Captain Semmes took possession of the new consul's official
documents, intending thus to delay his entering upon his new duties.
Before night both prizes were well on fire.
May 11th Captain Semmes ran into Bahia to land his prisoners. The news of
the Alabama's exploits had preceded her. Acting under orders from Rio
Janeiro, the president of the province of Pernambuco had recalled the
governor of Fernando de Noronha and commenced legal proceedings against
him. Three war vessels had also been dispatched to the island to prevent
further breaches of international law. While the case of the Alabama was
undergoing investigation matters were further complicated by the arrival
of the Confederate steamer Georgia, which had left British jurisdiction
under the name of the Japan, and received her armament off Ushant. News
was also received that the Florida had arrived at Pernambuco, so that
there was now quite a Confederate fleet in Brazilian ports. The final
decision of the Brazilian government was to the effect that the Alabama
had violated the neutrality of Brazilian waters, and henceforth should not
be permitted to enter any of the ports of the empire. In the meantime
Captain Semmes had received all the supplies he needed. He put to sea May
21st. Two weeks later the Agrippina arrived at Bahia, and was blockaded
there together with another ship, the Castor, which had supplies for the
Georgia, by the United States gunboat Onward. The Castor had succeeded in
delivering some coal to the Georgia, but owing to the vigorous protest of
the United States Consul, Thomas F. Wilson, who had received information
leading him to believe that there was ammunition and also two large rifled
cannon on board the Castor, the president of the province had forbidden
the two vessels to lie alongside of each other, and the Georgia was
obliged to take coal from lighters sent from the shore.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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