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CSS Alabama was a steam/sail powered commerce raider built in Britain for the Confederate States of America during the US Civil War.  Launched in July of 1862 and placed under the command of Raphael Semmes, whose brother was a Brigadier General in the Confederate Army, the Alabama sailed as far as the Indian and South Pacific Oceans.  Taking a total of 65 Union ships prize over the course of her two year cruise, she put into Cherbourg, France on 11 June 1864.  Three days later, USS Kearsarge arrived off Cherbourg to blockade Alabama.  Semmes sent a written letter to the captain of the Kearsarge in which he formally offered battle, “…to-morrow, or the morrow morning at the farthest.”  

On the appointed day, June 19th, Alabama boldly sailed out of Cherbourg, making straight for Kearsarge.  Over the course of the engagement, Alabama’s gunnery, while heavy, proved inaccurate, and she was sunk about an hour after first opening fire.  

 
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