LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 December Civil War Auction #674  / 

72227

CSS ALABAMA OR "290" 1862

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:800.00 USD Estimated At:1,000.00 - 2,000.00 USD
CSS ALABAMA OR 290 1862
<B>THE CONFEDERATE S.S. </B></I><B><I>ALABAMA</B></I></B></I><B>, OR "290".</B></I> In 1862, John Laird Sons and Company of Liverpool, England built the screw sloop-of-war CSS <I>Alabama,</B></I> or “290”, for the Confederate States of America. Launched as <I>Enrica</B></I>, the vessel was fitted out as a cruiser and commissioned as CSS <I>Alabama</B></I> on 24 August 1862. Under Captain Raphael Semmes the <I>Alabama</B></I> spent the next two months capturing and burning ships in the North Atlantic and intercepting American grain ships bound for Europe. Continuing its path of destruction through the West Indies, the <I>Alabama</B></I> sank USS <I>Hatteras</B></I> near Galveston, Texas and captured its crew. After visiting Cape Town, South Africa, the <I>Alabama</B></I> sailed for the East Indies where it spent the next six months cruising for enemy shipping. While there, the formidable commerce raider destroyed seven more ships before redoubling the Cape of Good Hope and returning to Europe. On 11 June 1864 the <I>Alabama</B></I> arrived at Cherbourg, France and Captain Semmes requested the permission of city officials to dock and overhaul his ship. Three days later, the sloop-of-war USS <I>Kearsarge</B></I>, which had been pursuing the raider, arrived off Cherbourg and began patrolling just outside of the harbor. On June 19, the <I>Alabama</B></I> sailed out of Cherbourg to engage the <I>Kearsarge</B></I>. As the <I>Kearsarge</B></I> turned to meet its opponent, the <I>Alabama</B></I> opened fire. The <I>Kearsarge</B></I>’s crew waited until the distance between both vessels closed to less than 1,000 yards before returning fire. According to survivors of the battle, the two ships steamed on opposite circular courses as each commander tried to cross the bow of his opponent to deliver a heavy raking fire. The battle quickly turned against the <I>Alabama</B></I> due to the poor quality of its powder and shells; by contrast, the <I>Kearsarge</B></I> benefited from additional protection provided by chain cables along its sides. Approximately one hour after firing the first shot, the <I>Alabama</B></I> had been reduced to a rapidly sinking hulk. This is an albumen photo of a painting. With period frame. Overall measures approximately 25.25” x 20.25”. <BR><BR><B>Condition:</B></I> Very fine.<BR><BR><B>Provenance: </B></I><I>Lt. John Low CS Naval Officer on Board CSS Alabama</B></I><BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Framed - with Glass, Large (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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