CSS Tuscaloosa
Encyclopedia
The CSS Tuscaloosa was a ship captured by the Confederate States Navy
, during the American Civil War
, and was originally known as the American bark Conrad. While en route from Buenos Aires to New York with a cargo of wool and goat skins, she was captured by the CSS Alabama
on June 20, 1863 during the CSS Alabama's South Atlantic Expeditionary Raid
. Being fast and well adapted for a cruiser, Capt. Raphael Semmes
, CSN, commissioned her the next day as a cruiser and tender to the Alabama, renaming her Tuscaloosa. Two rifled brass 12-pounders and a plentiful supply of rifles, pistols and ammunition were transferred to her with enough provisions for a 3-month cruise. Lt. J. Low, CSN, with 15 men, was ordered on board with instructions for an African cruise in the direction of the Cape of Good Hope
.
On July 31, 1863 Tuscaloosa captured the American ship Santee with a cargo of rice and bonded her for $150,000. On August 8, Low brought his ship into Simon's Bay in South Africa
, departing thence for a 90-day cruise during which he stopped at Angra Pequena
, Southwest Africa, to discharge Tuscaloosa's cargo of wool and goat skins. On November 19, 1863 he put into St. Catherine's, Brazil
, for supplies but was not allowed to purchase them and was informed he must depart before nightfall.
From there Tuscaloosa returned to Simon's Bay on December 26, 1863 only to be seized the next day by British authorities as an uncondemned prize which had violated the neutrality of Her Majesty's Government. They ordered her to be held until properly reclaimed by her original owners. Lieutenant Low and his men left the ship and an officer and men from HMS Narcissus were placed on board. Her owners did not reclaim her and in March 1864 she was released by the British authorities. The Confederate States Navy
was in no position to reclaim her, and so after the war, she was turned over to the Union Navy
.
Confederate States Navy
The Confederate States Navy was the naval branch of the Confederate States armed forces established by an act of the Confederate Congress on February 21, 1861. It was responsible for Confederate naval operations during the American Civil War...
, during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, and was originally known as the American bark Conrad. While en route from Buenos Aires to New York with a cargo of wool and goat skins, she was captured by the CSS Alabama
CSS Alabama
CSS Alabama was a screw sloop-of-war built for the Confederate States Navy at Birkenhead, United Kingdom, in 1862 by John Laird Sons and Company. Alabama served as a commerce raider, attacking Union merchant and naval ships over the course of her two-year career, during which she never anchored in...
on June 20, 1863 during the CSS Alabama's South Atlantic Expeditionary Raid
CSS Alabama's South Atlantic Expeditionary Raid
The CSS Alabama's South Atlantic Expeditionary Raid commenced shortly after the CSS Alabama left Haiti and the Caribbean Sea and cruised south toward Brazil in the south Atlantic Ocean...
. Being fast and well adapted for a cruiser, Capt. Raphael Semmes
Raphael Semmes
For other uses, see Semmes .Raphael Semmes was an officer in the United States Navy from 1826 - 1860 and the Confederate States Navy from 1860 - 1865. During the American Civil War he was captain of the famous commerce raider CSS Alabama, taking a record sixty-nine prizes...
, CSN, commissioned her the next day as a cruiser and tender to the Alabama, renaming her Tuscaloosa. Two rifled brass 12-pounders and a plentiful supply of rifles, pistols and ammunition were transferred to her with enough provisions for a 3-month cruise. Lt. J. Low, CSN, with 15 men, was ordered on board with instructions for an African cruise in the direction of the Cape of Good Hope
Cape of Good Hope
The Cape of Good Hope is a rocky headland on the Atlantic coast of the Cape Peninsula, South Africa.There is a misconception that the Cape of Good Hope is the southern tip of Africa, because it was once believed to be the dividing point between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. In fact, the...
.
On July 31, 1863 Tuscaloosa captured the American ship Santee with a cargo of rice and bonded her for $150,000. On August 8, Low brought his ship into Simon's Bay in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, departing thence for a 90-day cruise during which he stopped at Angra Pequena
Angra Pequena
Angra Pequena was a small coastal area in what is now known as Lüderitz, Namibia.First discovered by Europeans in 1487 by the Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias. On April 10, 1883 Heinrich Vogelsang first landed at Angra Pequena...
, Southwest Africa, to discharge Tuscaloosa's cargo of wool and goat skins. On November 19, 1863 he put into St. Catherine's, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, for supplies but was not allowed to purchase them and was informed he must depart before nightfall.
From there Tuscaloosa returned to Simon's Bay on December 26, 1863 only to be seized the next day by British authorities as an uncondemned prize which had violated the neutrality of Her Majesty's Government. They ordered her to be held until properly reclaimed by her original owners. Lieutenant Low and his men left the ship and an officer and men from HMS Narcissus were placed on board. Her owners did not reclaim her and in March 1864 she was released by the British authorities. The Confederate States Navy
Confederate States Navy
The Confederate States Navy was the naval branch of the Confederate States armed forces established by an act of the Confederate Congress on February 21, 1861. It was responsible for Confederate naval operations during the American Civil War...
was in no position to reclaim her, and so after the war, she was turned over to the Union Navy
Union Navy
The Union Navy is the label applied to the United States Navy during the American Civil War, to contrast it from its direct opponent, the Confederate States Navy...
.