From the Nov. 17, 2012, Biloxi (Ms) Sun Herald "Semmes was a fearless commander of the CSS Alabama" by Tim Isbell.
Raphael Semmes commanded the famous Confederate commerce raider Alabama for two years. Born in Maryland, he moved to Mobile and opened a law practice after the Mexican War. Once Alabama seceded, he resigned from the US Navy and was given a commission as an officer in the Confederate Navy which, because of resources, was forced to turn to commerce raiding to offset Northern superiority.
Semmes' first command was the CSS Sumter, after which he was captain of the Alabama, a screw sloop of war powered by both sail and two 300 hp horizontal steam engines that drove a single twin blade brass screw propeller. The ship could move 10 knots an hour under sail or 13 when combined with steam.
More to Come. --Old B-Runner
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