Sinking of CSS Alabama off Cherbourg (1864)

The Battle of Cherbourg was a naval engagement during the American Civil War fought on June 19, 1864, off the coast of Cherbourg, France. The Confederate cruiser CSS Alabama, commanded by Captain Raphael Semmes, was defeated by the Union warship USS Kearsarge. Alabama had arrived in Cherbourg on June 11 for repairs, while Kearsarge arrived on June 14 to initiate a blockade. Semmes later stated he would not have engaged Kearsarge had he known of its armor-clad protection.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. CSS Alabama, a screw sloop-of-war built in 1862, arrived at Cherbourg, France, on June 11, 1864, for an overhaul after five successful commerce raiding missions. USS Kearsarge, a Mohican-class screw sloop, arrived at Cherbourg on June 14, 1864, to find Alabama in port. Kearsarge did not attack immediately because Alabama was in a neutral port, instead initiating a blockade.

Engagement. The battle occurred on June 19, 1864, off Cherbourg, France. It was a single-ship action between the United States Navy warship USS Kearsarge and the Confederate States Navy warship CSS Alabama. Kearsarge defeated Alabama, resulting in the sinking of the Confederate cruiser.

Aftermath. Confederate Captain Semmes stated for many years after the battle that he would never have chosen to test Kearsarge had he known of her armor-clad protection. Several crew members of Alabama drowned or were killed in action during the sinking on June 19, 1864.

People involved

Sources

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