Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from The Cruise of the Alabama and the Sumter, Vol. 1 of 2: From the Private Journals and Other Papers of Commander R Semmes, C. S. N. And Other Officers
T1111: little vessel which now constituted the whole strength of the Confederate navy, was a merchant screw-steamer of 501 tons burthen. She had been hitherto known as the' Havannah, and had plied as a packet-ship between the port bf that name and New Orleans. She was now to be extemporized into a man-of war, and in her new guise was to achieve a world-wide celebrity, and to play no unimportant part in the great. Struggle between North and South.
Arrived in New Orleans, Captain Semmes at once proceeded, in company with Lieutenant Chapman, to inspect his new com mand - of which he speaks with evident satisfaction as a staunch and well-built vessel. In her then condition, however, she was by no means fitted for her new duties and he accordingly devot ed all his energies towards effecting the alterations necessary for that purpose. The first step was to disencumber her decks of the long range of upper cabins, thus materially increasing her buoy ancy as a sea-boat, and diminishing the area exposed to the enemy's shot and shell. Then a berth-deck was laid for the accommoda tion of officers and crew, and the main deck renewed and strength ened to carry the heavy 8-inch shell-gun, mounted on a pivot be tween the fore and mainmasts, and the four 24-pounder howitzers of 13 cwt. Each, to be mounted as a broadside battery. Additional coal-bunkers were also constructed, and a magazine and shell-room built in a suitable position, and these and a few other less import ant changes effected, the transformation was complete, and the lit tle Sumter ready to proceed upon her work of devastation.
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