Posted on 06/19/2019 4:18:49 AM PDT by Bull Snipe
1864 During the Civil War, USS Kearsarge, commanded by Capt. J.A. Winslow, sinks CSS Alabama, commanded by Capt. R. Semmes, off Cherbourg, France, ending the career of the South's most famous commerce raider, which included burning 55 vessels valued at $4.5 million.
Probably cliche to say, gut it would make a great movie. It began full of hope and vigor, but ended pitifully, barely able to use their damp powder, and dragging barnacles through the ocean. I believe at the end of the battle with the Kearsage, Alabama captain Semmes escaped onto a civilian sail boat, which deposited him in England. They went up and down the Atlantic, stopping in a number of ports, and sailed as far away as what is now Vietnam.
Uss Semmes DDG-18
That boat not only picked up Semmes, but the rest of Alabama’s officers. USS Kearsarge picked up about 70 Alabama crewmen. The remaining survivors were rescued by French boats.
DDG-18 serving with USS Forestal.
USS Semmes decommissioned in 1991, scrapped in 2006.
LHD-3 USS Kearsarge commissioned in 1993:
USS Alabama BB-60, 1943, Atlantic:
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.