![]() Ratification of the agreement established a precedent for international cooperation as it applies to archaeological research, as well as the protection of unique historic shipwrecks.Īt the behest of the Naval Historical Center, members of the National Park Service’s Submerged Resources Center (NPS-SRC) traveled to Cherbourg in June 1993 to evaluate the French archaeological team responsible for investigating Alabama’s remains. On Octothe United States and France signed an agreement that recognized CSS Alabama as an important heritage resource of both nations and established a joint French-American Scientific Committee to oversee archaeological investigation of the wreck. Although Alabama is within French territorial waters, the United States government claims ownership of the wreck as a spoil of war. ![]() In 1988, the non-profit organization Association CSS Alabama was founded to conduct scientific exploration of the shipwreck. French Navy Commander Max Guerout later confirmed that the wreck represented Alabama’s remains. One hundred and twenty years after Alabama’s loss, the French Navy mine hunter Circe discovered a wreck in approximately 200 feet of water off Cherbourg, France. The Confederate cruiser claimed more than 60 prizes with a total value of approximately $6,000,000. During its two-year career as a commerce raider, Alabama inflicted considerable disorder and devastation on United States merchant shipping throughout the globe. ![]() Although Kearsarge’s crew rescued most of the raider’s survivors, the British yacht Deerhound picked up Semmes and 41 others who escaped to England. Semmes subsequently struck his colors and sent a boat to surrender to his opponent. When a shell fired by Kearsarge tore open a section of Alabama’s hull at the waterline, seawater quickly rushed through the cruiser and forced it to the bottom. According to witnesses, Alabama fired 150 rounds to the Kearsarge’s 100. The battle quickly turned against Alabama due to the poor quality of its powder and shells by contrast, Kearsarge benefited from additional protection provided by chain cables along its sides.Īpproximately one hour after firing the first shot, Alabama had been reduced to a rapidly sinking hulk. 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. Kearsarge’s crew waited until the distance between both vessels closed to less than 1,000 yards before returning fire. As Kearsarge turned to meet its opponent, Alabama opened fire. On June 19, Alabama sailed out of Cherbourg to engage Kearsarge. Three days later, the Union sloop-of-war Kearsarge, which had been pursuing the raider, arrived off Cherbourg and began patrolling just outside of the harbor. On 11 June 1864 Alabama arrived at Cherbourg, France and Captain Semmes requested the permission of city officials to dock and overhaul his ship. While there, the formidable commerce raider destroyed seven more ships before rounding the Cape of Good Hope and returning to Europe. After visiting Cape Town, South Africa, Alabama sailed for the East Indies where it spent the next six months cruising for enemy shipping. Continuing its path of destruction through the West Indies, Alabama sank USS Hatteras near Galveston, Texas, and captured its crew. Under Captain Raphael Semmes, Alabama spent the next two months capturing and burning ships in the North Atlantic and intercepting American grain ships bound for Europe. ![]() Launched as Enrica, the vessel was fitted out as a cruiser and commissioned as CSS Alabama on 24 August 1862. In 1862, John Laird Sons and Company of Liverpool, England built the screw sloop-of-war Alabama for the Confederate States of America. ![]()
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