Today in History (19 June): The USS Kearsarge sinks the CSS Alabama in 1864
The CSS Alabama is considered as the most successful and feared Confederate commerce raider of the American civil war. On this day in 1864, the CSS Alabama engaged in a thrilling battle off the coast of France with the USS Kearsarge and was sunk.
The Alabama was a state-of-the-art ship—220 feet long, with a speed of up to 13 knots - which was built in an English shipyard and sold to the Confederates in 1861. The cruiser was equipped with a machine shop and could carry enough coal to steam for 18 days, but its sail could significantly extend that time.
Captain, Raphael Semmes, commanded the Alabama for three years. The purpose was to capture U.S. commercial ships which he did by working from a base in the West Indies. The areas of his operations were mainly the Caribbean, off Newfoundland and around the coast of South America. Except for operating in these regions The Alabama sailed around the globe and anchored at different bays on his route. Its visit to Table Bay (Cape Town) on 5 August 1863 is still remembered in an Afrikaans folk song.
During his last voyage, the Alabama sailed around South America, across the Pacific, and docked in India in 1864. After three years and 75,000 miles, Captain Semmes realised the ship needed maintenance in a modern shipyard. From India, he sailed around Africa to France, but the French denied him access to a dry dock. As the Semmes moved out of Cherbourg Harbor, he encountered the USS Kearsarge waiting for them. A dramatic battle followed where the Kearsarge bested and sank the Alabama.
During its career, the Alabama captured 66 ships and was hunted by more than 20 Federal warships.
Source:
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/uss-kearsarge-sinks-css-alabama