CSS Alabama's Indian Ocean Expeditionary Raid

The CSS "Alabama's" Indian Ocean Expeditionary Raid commenced shortly after the CSS Alabama left the Cape of Good Hope and cruised across the Indian Ocean ultimately exiting by Carimata Strait past Borneo and Sumatra into the Pacific Ocean. The raid lasted from about the end of September, 1863 to the end of November, 1863.

The primary area of operation during this expeditionary raid, was the central Indian Ocean, across the Tropic of Capricorn, steaming east toward Indonesia.

Raid overview

The CSS "Alabama" worked it's way east from the Cape of Good Hope through rough weather, passing the islands of St. Peter and St. Paul in the Indian Ocean, which are about half way to the Strait of Sunda. The "Alabama" crossed the Tropic of Capricorn and conferred with the captain of an English bark, learning that the USS "Wyoming", a yankee steamer, is patrolling in the Strait of Sunda with a tender, and anchors nightly at Krakatoa Island.

Many of the ships intercepted during this period are English or Dutch ships. However on November 6, the "Alabama's" fate changes as Semmes learnes from an English ship out of Foochow that the "Winged Racer", escorted by the USS "Wyoming" is coming out of the strait. The "Alamaba" pursues and overhauls two English ships before coming upon the "Amanda", out of Boston, laden with sugar and hemp. Semmes and crew strike up a beautiful torching of the "Amanda" by 10:00 pm.

Getting underway for the Strait of Sunda, "Alabama" sails past Keyser Island, Beezee island and Sowbooks island, and then passes throught the strait, on to Thwart-the-Way island and Stroom Rock, not finding the USS "Wyoming". However, on November 8, amidst a rain squall, the "Alabama" sights sail and chases down the unescorted "Winged Racer". The crew and master are put in boats to row ashore to nearby land at North Island in East India, and the "Racer" is given the torch.

CSS "Alabama" then proceeds toward the China Sea, passing Sumatra and Java, and arrives in Gasper Strait. Around daylight, new sail is sighted, and a yankee clipper heads toward the "Alabama" only to find the Stainless Banner is unfurled as Captain Semmes hoists a change of colors. The clipper adds topsails, and a chase is underway. Unfortunately for the clipper "Contest", a slack in the wind during the midday qualms allows the "Alabama" to bring her within gun range. To the regret of Captain Semmes, he cannot capture the new prize and outfit her for service in the CS Navy, and reluctantly applies the torch.

From this raiding area off the coast of southeast Asia, the CSS "Alabama" made her way into the Pacific Ocean to continue her unhindered wrecking of enemy commerce in the Pacific Ocean as far as the Strait of Malacca.

Raid bounty

References

*Hearn, Chester G., "Gray Raiders of the Sea", Louisiana State Press, 1996. ISBN 0807121142
*Luraghi, Raimondo, "A History of the Confederate Navy", U.S. Naval Institute Press, 1996. ISBN 1557505276