CSS Alabama Searches for California Gold, December 1862

In late November 1862, Raphael Semmes ordered CSS Alabama  to steam southwest toward Cuba.  He was purposely looking to intercept steamships...

Rear Admiral Wilkes and his Magical Flying Squadron

Steam sloop USS Wachusett In mid-1862, Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles had a serious problem on his hands.  Intelligence indicated that ...

Captain Charles Wilkes Reports on the Trent Affair, 8 November 1861

On November 8, 1861, USS San Jacinto Captain Charles Wilkes set out towards the Bahama Channel near Havana to intercept Confederate commiss...