RAPHAEL SEMMES
DESPOILER OF AMERICAN COMMERCE
(1809-1877)
“We started from Ole England fer to cripple up our foes,
We started from Ole England fer to strike some rapid blows,
So we coasted to the Azores where we ran a packet down,
And then to the Bermudas, where we burned the Royal Crown,
Then we scampered to Bahia, fer to sink the gay Tycoon,
And to scuttle the Justina, before the Harvest Moon.
We hit across the ocean to race by Cape Good Hope
And in Madagascar channel towed Johanna with a rope.
Away off at Sumatra, we had lots an’ lots uv fun,
When we winged the Pulo Condor; but say,—we had a run,
An’ a pretty bit uv fightin’, when we took the Emma Jane
Off th’ heated coast uv India, near th’ bendin’ sugar cane.
Yes, we did some privateerin’, as wuz privateerin’, sure,
An’ we scuttled many a schooner, it wuz risky business pure.
But—stranger—we’d be laughin’, jest filled with persiflage,
If we hadn’t had a seance with that bloomin’ Kearsarge.”
—Song of the Chief Mate of the Alabama.—1864.
IT was off the east coast of South America. The year was 1864, and a little schooner—the Justina—bobbed along, with the flag of the United States Government flying jauntily from her gaff.
Suddenly there was a movement on deck. Men rushed hither and thither with some show of excitement. Glasses were brought out and raised,—smothered cries of excitement were mingled with orders to trim sails. All eyes looked with suspicion and dismay at a long, graceful vessel which was seen approaching from the northward.
“The Alabama!” cried one.
“Yes, the cursed Alabama!” answered another. “We are lost!”
On, on came the pursuing vessel; a cloud of black smoke rolling from her smoke-stack; her white sails bellying in the fresh breeze; for she was rigged like a barquentine, with a lean body, single smoke-stack, and a polished rifle-gun winking in the sun-rays upon her bow. On, on, she came, and then—puff! boom!—a single shot came dancing in front of the slow-moving schooner.