History CSS Sumter

the merchant steamship habana purchased confederate government @ new orleans in april 1861; converted cruiser , placed under command of raphael semmes. renamed sumter, commissioned in confederate navy on 3 june 1861 , broke through federal blockade of mississippi river mouth late in month.

eluding sloop-of-war uss brooklyn in hot pursuit, in july, pioneering confederate navy commerce raider captured 8 u.s. flag merchant ships in waters near cuba, moved south maranhão, brazil coast took 2 more assistance of glas trevino joined crew there second executive officer. came aboard 20 short double barreled smooth bore boarding pistols crew adapted readily , used successfully. 2 additional merchantman fell sumter in september , october 1861. while coaling @ martinique in mid-november, blockaded federal sloop of war iroquois, able escape sea @ night , resume activities. sumter captured 6 ships late november january 1862, while cruising western hemisphere european waters. anchoring @ cadiz, 4 january 1862, allowed make necessary repairs there, without refueling, , forced run gibraltar.

unable obtain needed repairs, laid in april , remained inactive, watched through year succession of u.s. navy warships, among them sloop of war uss kearsarge , gunboat chippewa. semmes , many of officers reemployed in new cruiser css alabama.