150 Years Ago-- March 20th, 1864: Alabama At Capr Town

MARCH 20TH, 1864:

The CSS Alabama arrives off Capetown, South Africa. Captain Semmes noted their were no Union cruisers in the area.

He recalled later: "That huge old coal-box, the Vanderbilt, having thought it was useless to pursue us further, had turned back, and was now probably doing a more profitable business, by picking up blockade-runners on the American coast.

"This operation paid-- the Captain might grow rich upon it. Chasing the Alabama did not."

A little bragging there, Raphael.

--Old B-Runner