Raphael Semmes and the Alabama

11 Jan 1863 in the Gulf of Mexico "The two ships were within hailing distance when Blake (Lieutenant-Comander Homer C. Blake) demanded his opponent's identity. In what Porter (Admiral David Porter) called 'pure perfidy, such as a Zulu warrior would resort to.' Semmes identified his ship as Her Britannic Majesty's steamer Petrel. Reassured, Blake demanded the right to inspect the ship's registry in accordance with international law. After a boat had been lowered and was underway from the Hatteras. Semmes called out. 'This is the Confederate States steamer Alabama. FIRE'. The first broadside from the Alabama was decisive, the Hatteras staggering under its force." Spencer C. Tucker writes a fun book on the history and exploits of the famous Condeferate raider The Alabama. He includes some nice maps, drawings and photos for the reader.Not many books write about the other side of the War, the Naval part. So this book is welcomed. The Union navy was crucial in the War with it's blockades and for the Confederate's it was crucial to try to defeat the blockaders. What would you do as the Captain of the Alabama as the Union Navy searches the high seas for you with every ship it can?

I enjoyed this book. Took me awhile to read but very enjoyable. Civil War on the high seas!