Cruise and Captures of the Alabama

"Cruise and Captures of the Alabama" by Albert M. Goodrich is a recounting of the Confederate ship Alabama's impact during the American Civil War. The story begins by explaining the events that led to the war, focusing on the commissioning of the ship in England and the blockade of the Confederacy. The story then introduces Captain Raphael Semmes, who turned the Alabama into a major threat to Union trade. This historical account, supported by naval records and officers' narratives, illustrates the Alabama's attacks on Northern merchant ships and the resulting naval drama between the Union and Confederate forces.