CSS Alabama's Gulf of Mexico Expeditionary Raid
The CSS Alabama's Gulf of Mexico Expeditionary Raid commenced shortly after the Alabama left Bermuda and the Atlantic coast and cruised south toward the island of Dominica in the Caribbean Sea near the Gulf of Mexico. The raid lasted from about the middle of November, 1862 to the end of January, 1863.
The primary area of operation during this expeditionary raid, was the southern seaboard of the United States starting from Dominica then ranging up along Cuba and to Galveston, Texas before finally heading south again toward Jamaica.
Raid overview
The CSS Alabama worked its way down the east coast of Florida during the month of November to Martinique to rendezvous with her supply vessel, the CSS Agrippina, and ran into the USS San Jacinto, narrowly escaping the Union warship. The CSS Alabama then made her way to Texas to help defend the state from invasion from Gen. Banks Expedition, and sank the USS Hatteras, before escaping to the South Atlantic.
From this raiding area off the coast of New England, the CSS Alabama made her way into the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico to continue her unhindered wrecking of enemy commerce along the North American coastline.
Raid bounty
| Date | Ship Name | Ship Type | Location | Disposition of Ship |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 30, 1862 | Parker Cooke | Merchant | Near Semana Bay, Dominican Republic | Burned |
| December 7, 1862 | Ariel | Merchant | Caribbean Sea | Captured & let go |
| January 12, 1862 | USS Hatteras | U.S. Navy | Near Galveston, Texas | Sunk by firefight |
| January 27, 1862 | Chastelaine | Brig | Near Jamaica | Captured |
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
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