Prussian later German armoured ram Prinz Adalbert 1865-1878

Model Günther Seherr. Maritime Museum Hamburg Germany

Sister ship Stonewall Jackson. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Sister ship Sphinx, later known as Stonewall Jackson, later the Japanese Kotetsu and Azuma. Ordered on 16 July 1863, laid down by L. Arman Frères de Riviere, Bordeaux, France under the cover name Cheops for the Egyptian navy but in reality for the Confederate States of America in 1863, launched in June 1864, purchased by Prussia on 25 May 1864, not accepted, repurchased in January 1865, delivered on 10 July 1865, renamed Prin Adalbert after 29 October 1865, commissioned on 9 June 1866, decommissioned on 23 October 1871, stricken on 28 May 1878 and broken up in the same year.

Chilean 19th Century Armstrong 115-pounder gun

Photo taken April 2025

On board of her

Originally mounted on a slide carriage on deck of the Chilean gunboat Magallanes.(1) It was the first Chilean naval gun that fired during the War of the Pacific (2) in the Battle of Chipana on 12 April 1879 on the Peruvian ships Unión (3) and Pilcomayo.(4) In the night of 10 July she fired on the Peruvian ironclad Huascar and was also active in the Battle of Antofafasta on 28 August 1879. Despite the Magallanes served after the Chilean Civil War of 1891 as survey vessel the gun stayed on board until 1903. In 1906 she was sold to a merchant shipowner and wrecked in 1907.

Notes

1. Ordered by Law of 4 March 1872, launched by Raenhill&Co., London, England on 28 July 1873 and commissioned on 28 December 1874. Screw steam corvette.

2. Between Chile and the Bolivia-Peruvian alliance 14 February 1879-20 October 1883 (peace signed with Peru)-1884 (armistice with Bolivia).

3. Screw steam corvette, ordered by the Confederate States of America on 6 June 1863, contract name Shanghai but was to become Georgia, bought by Peru in November 1864, laid down by Chantiers Dubigeon, Nantes, France in December 1864, launched on 26 January 1865, completed in June 1865and stranded, partially burned and machinery destroyed scuttled after the Blockade of Callao to prevent capture by Chile on 16 January 1881.

4. Gunboat. Laid down by Money Wigram and Sons, Blackwall, England in 1873, launched in 1874, commissioned in 1874, captured by the Chilean ironclad Blanco Encalada at the Tocopilla on 14 November 1879, became a survey vessel and training ship for midshipmen and converted into a pontoon in Talcahuano in 1909.

5. Ironclad turret ship. Ordered by the Peruvian government on 4 August 1864, launched by Laird Brothers, Birkenhead, England on 7 October 1865, commissioned on 8 November 1866, captured by Chile at the Battle of Angamos on 8 October 1879, modernized in 1885 and 1887, decommissioned in 1897, submarine tender between 1917-1930, reinstated in 1934 and now museum ship.

Rear admiral in the Confederate States Navy Raphael Semmes (27 September 1909 Nanjemoy, Maryland, USA-30 August 1877 Mobile, Alabama, USA)

Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Between 1826-1860 serving in the US Navy and in the Confederate States Navy ending in the rank of rear admiral. Commanding officer of the screw steam sloop CSS Alabama secretly built by John Laird Sons&Company, Birkenhead, Liverpool, England ordered by the Confederate agent Commander James Bulloch. Laid down in 1862, launched on 29 July 1862, commissioned on 24 Augustus 1962, sunk the USS Hatteras on 11 January 1863, altogether she captured or burned 65 ships of the Union including several whales until she was sunk by the USS Kearsage on 19 June 1864 off Cherbourg, France. 

American whaler Alpha visited Hobart, Tasmania according to the The Hobart Town Courier dated 18 February 1865

Biodiversity Heritage Library

An item reported the arrival at Hobart, Tasmania the day before of the American whaler Alpha leaving Nantucket in 1860 lying in Australian harbours the last two years or so and in June still at Sydney. Had now 500 barrels sperm oil on board and having heard of the American commerce raider CSS Shenandoah and seeking a safe harbour. 

American whaling barque Lagoda visited Hobart Town, Tasmania according to the The Hobart Town Advertiser dated Saturday 4 March 1865

An item reported the arrival of the American whaling barque Lagoda by daylight on Saturday. She departed New Bedford, USA on 25 July 1864 with as results within 7 months 53 tuns oil. Was forced to enter the harbour while several of her crew members suffered from scruvy needing medical treatment in a hospital. On the Perey moving out on Monday was she to discharge her oil. The presence of the American Confederate raider CSS Shenandoah would force all American whalers to discharge their oil or shipped home with neutral ships.

American whaler Europa in October 1865 at Honolulu, Hawaii escaping capture by CSS Shenandoah according to the Whalemen’s Shipping List dated Tuesday 19 December 1865

An item written by captain Crosby on board of the Europa of Edgartown lying at Honolulu on 24 October. She came back from the Arctic with a catch that season of 650 barrels whale oil and 12.000 lbs bone. Transported home were 2.600 barrels whale oil and 13.000 lbs bone. On board were 1.450 barrels whale oil and 12.000 lbs bone stored. Sailing with eight whalers she managed to escape in the fog when the ships were attacked by the Shenandoah (1) and during which seven were burned.

Note
1. The commerce raider CSS Shenandoah, a sailing vessel with auxiliary steam power, launched on 17 August 1863 at the shipyard of Alexander Stephen&Sons, River Clyde, Scotland as the Sea King. The same year purchased by the Confederate States, commissioned as commerce raider on 19 October 1864 and surrendered on 6 November 1865 to the Union forces. She was really successful capturing 38 ships mostly whalers. In 1866 sold to the sultan of Zanzibar and renamed El Majid.

Chinese harbours closed for Confederate raider CSS Alabama according to the Whalemen’s Shipping List dated Tuesday 14 June 1864

An item reported that the Chinese government ordered that the so-called pirate Alabama not was allowed to enter Chinese harbours. (1)

Note
1. The famous screw steam sloop CSS Alabama, laid down in 1862 at the shipyard of John Laird Sons&Company, launched on 29 July, commissioned on 24 August and finally decommissioned on 19 June 1864.

American whaler Harvest burnt in 1865 by CSS Shenandoah according to the Whalemen’s Shipping List dated Tuesday 18 December 1866

An item referred to a letter dated Honolulu 29 October reporting that the CSS Shenandoah burned the Hawaii-flagged whaler Harvest owned by the house of Pfluger Brothers, Honolulu, Hawaii. It was now said that the owners asked the British government for compensation and which was paid. The newspaper concluded that she was a British pirate and not a Confederate raider. 

Note

1. This must be the firm founded by the German captain Henry Hackfeld on 1 October 1849 namen H. Hackfield&Co. His brother-in-law was J.C. Pflueger (05-10-1883 Germany) since 1853 partner in the same firm. Whaling was one of their main issues. Hackfeld himself left Hawaii in 1861 for Germany leaving his brother-in-law in charge at Honolulu.

American steam frigate USS Merrimack 1854-1861 (CSS Virginia 1861-1862)

USS Merrimack

CSS Virginia

Her building at the Boston Navy Yard was ordered on 6 April 1854, she was launched on 15 June a year later and christened by Miss Mary E. Simmons, commissioned on 20 February 1856 and already decommissioned on16 February 1860 at Norfolk and lying there in ordinary when the Civil war broke out. When the Union forces. Evacuated the Norfolk Navy Yard was she set into fire an scuttled trying to prevent being captured by the Confederate forces. She was however salvaged and converted into the ironclad CSS Virginia famous for her battle with the USS Monitor. As the steam frigate USS Merrimack was her displacement 3.200 tons and the dimensions 84 x 11,7 x 7,3 metres or 275 x 38.5 x 25 feet. Her armament consisted of 14-8” guns, 24-9” guns and 2-10“ guns.

American whaling bark General Pike bonded by the American CSS Shenandoah according to the newspaper The Pacific commercial advertiser dated 18 November 1865

An item described the American whaling bark General Pike of New York which was bonded, war insurance at the Ocean office for 5,000 US dollars reinsured at New York, USA.

Bonded by the CSS Shenandoah on 26 June 1865 for 30,000 US dollars, took 252 prisoners on board and was sent to San Francisco, USA. Confederate commerce raider, launched as the British merchant ship Sea King on 17 August 1863 by Alexander Stephen&Sons, River Clyde, Scotland with yard number 42, purchased by the Confederates, fitting out ready on 18 October 1864, commissioned on 19 October 1864, surrendered on 6 November 1865, sold in 1867 to the sultan of Zanzibar Majid bin Said and renamed El Majidi and finally sunk in September 1872.

American bark whaling Wm. C. Nye burned by the American CSS Shenandoah according to the newspaper The Pacific commercial advertiser dated 18 November 1865

An item described the American bark whaling Wm. C. Nye of San Francisco, USA, past homeport was New Bedford, USA, insured at the Union Mutual office for 20,000 US dollars, reinsured at New York, USA.

Burned by the CSS Shenandoah on 26 June 1865. Confederate commerce raider, launched as the British merchant ship Sea King on 17 August 1863 by Alexander Stephen&Sons, River Clyde, Scotland with yard number 42, purchased by the Confederates, fitting out ready on 18 October 1864, commissioned on 19 October 1864, surrendered on 6 November 1865, sold in 1867 to the sultan of Zanzibar Majid bin Said and renamed El Majidi and finally sunk in September 1872.

American whaling bark Catherine burned by the American CSS Shenandoah according to the newspaper The Pacific commercial advertiser dated 18 November 1865

An item described the American whaling bark Catherine of New London, USA of 348 tons, last reported as underway from Honolulu towards the Arctic loaded with 1,500 barrels whale oil on board although doubted by the newspaper. Insurance of 15,000 US dollars at the Ocean office in this city [New Bedford or New London?], reinsured at New York, USA.

 Burned by the CSS Shenandoah on 26 June 1865 in the Bering Sea. Of New Bedford? Confederate commerce raider, launched as the British merchant ship Sea King on 17 August 1863 by Alexander Stephen&Sons, River Clyde, Scotland with yard number 42, purchased by the Confederates, fitting out ready on 18 October 1864, commissioned on 19 October 1864, surrendered on 6 November 1865, sold in 1867 to the sultan of Zanzibar Majid bin Said and renamed El Majidi and finally sunk in September 1872.

American whaling bark Favorite burned by the American CSS Shenandoah according to the newspaper The Pacific commercial advertiser dated 18 November 1865

An item described the American whaling bark Favorite of Fairhaven insured for 40,000 US dollars.

Burned by the CSS Shenandoah on 28 June 1865 on the East Cape Bay near the Bering Strait. Confederate commerce raider, launched as the British merchant ship Sea King on 17 August 1863 by Alexander Stephen&Sons, River Clyde, Scotland with yard number 42, purchased by the Confederates, fitting out ready on 18 October 1864, commissioned on 19 October 1864, surrendered on 6 November 1865, sold in 1867 to the sultan of Zanzibar Majid bin Said and renamed El Majidi and finally sunk in September 1872.

American whaling bark Waverly burned by the American CSS Shenandoah according to the newspaper The Pacific commercial advertiser dated 18 November 1865

An item described American whaling bark Waverly insured for around 40,000 US dollars

Burned by the CSS Shenandoah on 28 June 1865 near the Diomede Islands. Confederate commerce raider, launched as the British merchant ship Sea King on 17 August 1863 by Alexander Stephen&Sons, River Clyde, Scotland with yard number 42, purchased by the Confederates, fitting out ready on 18 October 1864, commissioned on 19 October 1864, surrendered on 6 November 1865, sold in 1867 to the sultan of Zanzibar Majid bin Said and renamed El Majidi and finally sunk in September 1872.

American whaling bark Congress burned by the American CSS Shenandoah according to the newspaper The Pacific commercial advertiser dated 18 November 1865

An item described the American whaling bark Congress, value when she departed 40,000 US dollars, with catching 48,000 US dollars, insured for around 40,000 US dollars.

Burned by the CSS Shenandoah on 28 June 1865 near the Bering Strait. Of New Bedford. Confederate commerce raider, launched as the British merchant ship Sea King on 17 August 1863 by Alexander Stephen&Sons, River Clyde, Scotland with yard number 42, purchased by the Confederates, fitting out ready on 18 October 1864, commissioned on 19 October 1864, surrendered on 6 November 1865, sold in 1867 to the sultan of Zanzibar Majid bin Said and renamed El Majidi and finally sunk in September 1872.

American whaling ship Nassau burned by the American CSS Shenandoah according to the newspaper The Pacific commercial advertiser dated 18 November 1865

An item described the American whaling ship Nassau, value at the departure 48,000 US dollars, insured for 61,000 US dollars.

Burned by the CSS Shenandoah on 28 June 1865 in the East Cape Bay near the Bering Strait. Confederate commerce raider, launched as the British merchant ship Sea King n 17 August 1863 by Alexander Stephen&Sons, River Clyde, Scotland with yard number 42, purchased by the Confederates, fitting out ready on 18 October 1864, commissioned on 19 October 1864, surrendered on 6 November 1865, sold in 1867 to the sultan of Zanzibar Majid bin Said and renamed El Majidi and finally sunk in September 1872.

American whaling bark Brunswick burned by the American CSS Shenandoah according to the newspaper The Pacific commercial advertiser dated 18 November 1865

An item described the American whaling bark Brunswick value with outfits was 32,000 US dollars, insured for around 30,000 US dollars.

Burned by the CSS Shenandoah on 28 June 1865 near the Bering Strait Narrows. Confederate commerce raider, launched as the British merchant ship Sea King on 17 August 1863 by Alexander Stephen&Sons, River Clyde, Scotland with yard number 42, purchased by the Confederates, fitting out ready on 18 October 1864, commissioned on 19 October 1864, surrendered on 6 November 1865, sold in 1867 to the sultan of Zanzibar Majid bin Said and renamed El Majidi and finally sunk in September 1872.

American whaling ship Hillman burned by the American CSS Shenandoah according to the newspaper The Pacific commercial advertiser dated 18 November 1865

An item described the American whaling ship Hillman, valued with outfits over 60,000 US dollars, with catchings worth 60,000 US dollars, insured for around 30,000 US dollars. Of New Bedford, USA.

Burned by the CSS Shenandoah on 28 June 1865 in the East Cape Bay near the Bering Strait. Homeport New Bedford, USA. Confederate commerce raider, launched as the British merchant ship Sea King on 17 August 1863 by Alexander Stephen&Sons, River Clyde, Scotland with yard number 42, purchased by the Confederates, fitting out ready on 18 October 1864, commissioned on 19 October 1864, surrendered on 6 November 1865, sold in 1867 to the sultan of Zanzibar Majid bin Said and renamed El Majidi and finally sunk in September 1872.

American whaling bark Martha burned by the American CSS Shenandoah according to the newspaper The Pacific commercial advertiser dated 18 November 1865

An item described the American whaling bark Martha, valued 45,000 US dollars and around 30,000 US dollars insurance. Of New Bedford, USA.

Burned by the CSS Shenandoah on 28 June 1865 in the East Cape Bay near the Bering Strait. Confederate commerce raider, launched as the British merchant ship Sea King on 17 August 1863 by Alexander Stephen&Sons, River Clyde, Scotland with yard number 42, purchased by the Confederates, fitting out ready on 18 October 1864, commissioned on 19 October 1864, surrendered on 6 November 1865, sold in 1867 to the sultan of Zanzibar Majid bin Said and renamed El Majidi and finally sunk in September 1872.

American whaling ship Isaac Howland burned by the American CSS Shenandoah according to the newspaper The Pacific commercial advertiser dated 18 November 1865

An item described the American whaling ship Isaac Howland valued including her outfits at her departure 55,000 US dollars, for more at the half of the value insured. Of New Bedford, USA.

Burned by the CSS Shenandoah on 28 June 1865 in the East Cape Bay near the Bering Strait. Confederate commerce raider, launched as the British merchant ship Sea King on 17 August 1863 by Alexander Stephen&Sons, River Clyde, Scotland with yard number 42, purchased by the Confederates, fitting out ready on 18 October 1864, commissioned on 19 October 1864, surrendered on 6 November 1865, sold in 1867 to the sultan of Zanzibar Majid bin Said and renamed El Majidi and finally sunk in September 1872.