The Death of the Alabama

Capt Raphael Semmes of the Confederate Navy nurses his stricken warship back to Britain for a refit and boiler exchange. On arriving off Cornwall, Semmes is intercepted by HMS Warrier, the commander of which is his old friend Sir Arthur Cochrane. He bears a warning that Semmes cannot make port in England as the political climate has turned against the Confederacy. Instead, arrangements have been made for the Alabama to enter drydock in Cherbourg, France.

Meanwhile, in a flashback to London social life at an earlier time, Lord Russell, the Foreign Secretary, introduces Semmes to Princess Helena, younger daughter of Queen Victoria who is smitten with the Confederate Naval Capatain. A romance erupts, but Semmes is Catholic and married. This is no bar to a Royal.

Back to the voyage toward France, and fears when a Yankee naval vessel is spotted on the horizon.

The script does a flashback to the construction of the Alabama in Liverpool, England, where the Confederate agent in Europe, John Dunwoody Bulloch, is fired upon in the foggy street on his way to Laird's shipyard where the Alabama is being built secretly as a commerce raider. Bulloch insists that the ship be ready within days as there is intelligence from London that the ship is to be impounded as a military vessel for a war in which Britain was neutral.

The launch takes place with a mystery member of the Nobility (Helena) performing the honours. She sails with the ship on a sea trial, but this is a ruse to escape England and head for the Azores where the shipped would be armed. Bulloch tries to warn Helena against involvemnt with Semmes, but to no avail, and the Princess is put ashore secretly at Angelesey.

The French pilot comes aboard to steer the Alabama into Cherbourg, while John Kell (Narrator and Semmes First Officer) talks to the Welsh surgeon Llewellyn, commenting on Semmes' failing health. Later the Alabama sails into the roads in Cherbourg, causing the Port Commander to have apoplexy. Politics take over in spite of Bulloch's efforts to prevent the refit. Nothing can be done without the Emperor's sanction, and he is in Biarritz. Bulloch is aware that the longer the Alabama is in Cherbourg she is trapped as the Yankees are out for revenge.

The scene flashback is to the siege off Galveston where the Alabama sinks the armed paddle-steamer Hatteras in view of the gathered Yankee navy, before speeding away before she can be caught.

Forward in time to a cruise across the Atlantic, burning and sinking Yankee commercial shipping on the way. She arrived in Table Bay, Cape Town, where crowds line the shores giving the famed ship a rapturous welcome. However, in view of the spectators, the Alabama takes on the Yankee sloop Sea Bride and captures her as a prize of war. Semmes is feted by the Cape Governor and the Dutch residents. but news comes that the US frigate Vanderbilt is in the region. The Alabama cannot be caught; Semmes sets sail immediately for the East Indies.

Forward to Cherbourg. Spies get word to John Winslow of the USS Kearsage, anchored off Holland, that the Alabama is in port and stricken. Within 24 hours he is off Cherbourg, but cannot enter port (international rules of engagement). Therefore, Winslow fires his cannon offshore to show the flag and challenge Semmes to a battle.

The Alabama is refused permission to refit or to rearm. Semmes must fight the Kearsage with wet powder for his guns. His only hope is either outsailing the Keasrsage defeating her in battle. Sick and weary, Semmes decides to fight as spectators from all over Europe cram the shores to witness the epic event.

Bulloch works furiously to get French help, but escorted by two French warships, the Alabama is forced out into international waters adn immediately engages the Kearsage in a deadly clockwise circular tactic, firing broadsides at the Yankee ship. However the Kearsage has used chain along her starboard side and the weakened Alabama shot bounces off the hull. However, the Alabama scores one hit which should have sunk the Kearsage in minutes if the powder had not been spoiled. Instead, the Kearsage gets the mortal hits and the Alabama starts slipping under water at the stern.

The scene is then a scrabble for survival with Semmes wounded and slipping into the water. The crew are forced to abandon ship, but Winslow believes this is a ruse and will not bring the Kearsage close to rescue the survivors in the cold water.

Meanwhile, sailing in and out of the battle zone has been the British private yacht Deerhound. The sleek racing vessel rescues Semmes and his officers. Semmes is very badly injured and is taken below to be attended, only to find that Princess Helena is there to nurse him and take him back to England.