Construction of CSS Alabama

The CSS Alabama was built in Liverpool, England in 1862.

Introduction

The wreck of the Alabama was discovered off the coast of France in 1984. Five years later, teams of archaeologists from the United States began to collaborate with groups in France to undertake archaeological surveys of the ship. Survey and recovery techniques changed from year to year as some goals were realized and others thwarted. As with any underwater archaeological research project, historians investigated the documentary record for clues that would help make sense of the collection of artifacts left behind on the sea bed. The historical background of the vessel begins with her construction that took place not in the south but in England.

Construction

The 1050-ton ship, originally designated simply by the number "290," was built in Liverpool, England, by John Laird and Sons Company in 1862. England's textile industry relied heavily on Southern cotton and England was a quiet supporter of the C.S.A. Since it violated international laws of neutrality for England to build warships for the Confederate cause, England simply constructed the ships but had them armed in other locations. After leaving England, the CSS Alabama was commissioned and outfitted for combat by the Confederate navy in the Azores.1

The gunboat now building at Laird's Yard, no person knows whom she is for, excepting Laird's themselves, and the foreman carpenter, Mr. Laird, declines to give any information. The information we shall endeavor to obtain from some person employed there.2

The Alabama attracted attention even during her construction. Union spy reports trace the ship designated "290" from her days in the building dock through six months of her sea voyages. Spies gathered information about the ship's dimensions, manpower, and armaments from workers Spies gathered information about the ship's dimensions, manpower, and armaments from workers around the ships and even from the sailors themselves.around the ships and even from the sailors themselves.

Raphael Semmes, who had served the United States Navy during the Mexican War, was appointed to the post of Commander of the Confederate Navy in 1861. His first action for the C.S.A. Navy was to command the CSS Sumter, a New Orleans steamer-turned-cruiser that began Semmes reign of the high seas. After six months aboard Sumter, Semmes was promoted to the rank of Captain and sent to England to command the new cruiser Alabama.

 

1 CSS Alabama Association, Investigation of the Confederate Commerce Raider CSS Alabama 2001 (Mobile, Alabama, 2001)

2 ibid.