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Quiz about CSS Alabama The Terror Of The Seas

CSS Alabama" The Terror Of The Seas" Quiz

Shortly after the start of the Civil War, Confederate commerce raiders began roaming the seas to prey on Union merchant ships. This quiz is about the most famous of those ships.

A multiple-choice quiz by foxgap. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
foxgap

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
86,570

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
1321

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Where was the CSS Alabama built? Hint

Charleston, South Carolina

Birkenhead, England

Galveston, Texas

Cherbourg, France

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Question 2 of 10

2. What was her top speed, when under full power? Hint

13 knots

5 knots

22 knots

40 knots

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Question 3 of 10

3. Who was the captain of the Alabama? Hint

John Paul Jones

Sammuel Clemons

Andrew Pettibone

Raphael Semmes

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Question 4 of 10

4. What was the only Confederate port that she ever entered? Hint

Galveston, Texas

Savannah, Georgia

Charleston, South Carolina

She never entered a Confederate port

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Question 5 of 10

5. The CSS Alabama began her career by engaging in what action? Hint

Providing covering fire for the attack on Washington

Clearing Charleston's harbor of blockade ships

Destroying Yankee whaling ships

Sinking a Man O' War ship off the English coast

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Question 6 of 10

6. Where did she sail next? Hint

Both of these

The coast of New England

Newfoundland

Neither of these

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Question 7 of 10

7. In January of 1863 while sailing the Gulf of Mexico towards Galveston, Texas she attacked and sank what blockading US warship? Hint

USS Hatteras

USS Washington

USS Storm

USS General Lee

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Question 8 of 10

8. After crossing the Indian Ocean where did she next go to spread more havoc? Hint

Bangkok

Hong Kong

Tokyo

Singapore

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Question 9 of 10

9. After 22 months on duty and needing repairs, the CSS Alabama went to what port in June of 1864? Hint

Liverpool, England

Athens, Greece

Savannah, Georgia

Cherbourg, France

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Question 10 of 10

10. What US ship sank the CSS Alabama? Hint

USS Tuttle

USS Hero

USS George Symith

USS Kearsarge

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Where was the CSS Alabama built?

Answer: Birkenhead, England

The CSS Alabama was built for the Confederate government at the Laird shipyard in Birkenhead (opposite Liverpool), England and commissioned on August 24th, 1862. The Union government was angry with the British for their association with the Confederacy, and demanded compensation for damage done by ships built in Britain and delivered to the Confederacy.

The matter was resolved by arbitration.

2. What was her top speed, when under full power?

Answer: 13 knots

The CSS Alabama was 220 feet long with a beam of 32 feet. She was powered by two 300-horsepower engines that turned her double wheel, and also had a full compliment of sails. A knot is equal to 1.15 survey miles per hour, so if you do the math she could go about 15 mph. This may not seem fast to you, but in the 1860's, it was considered very fast.

3. Who was the captain of the Alabama?

Answer: Raphael Semmes

The CSS Alabama carried heavy armament including a 110-pounder rifled gun, an 8-inch solid shot gun, and six 32 pounders. It had a crew of 120 men and 24 officers.

4. What was the only Confederate port that she ever entered?

Answer: She never entered a Confederate port

Remarkably, the CSS Alabama never once entered a southern port. However, in her career, the Alabama traveled 75,000 miles, and captured 66 Union merchant ships worth over 6.5 million dollars in 1860's money.

5. The CSS Alabama began her career by engaging in what action?

Answer: Destroying Yankee whaling ships

Over a two week period she destroyed 10 whaling ships in the Azores. She completely decimated this fleet.

6. Where did she sail next?

Answer: Newfoundland

She captured 11 more ships during this time. Captain Semmes had most of these burned after the crews and any needed supplies were taken off. The CSS Alabama then hunted down the East Coast of the United States and in the Caribbean till the start of 1863.

7. In January of 1863 while sailing the Gulf of Mexico towards Galveston, Texas she attacked and sank what blockading US warship?

Answer: USS Hatteras

To prevent capture by pursuing Union ships she sailed down the coast of South America burning a few more Yankee ships. The CSS Alabama then crossed the Atlantic to the Cape of Good Hope.

8. After crossing the Indian Ocean where did she next go to spread more havoc?

Answer: Singapore

The CSS Alabama was so effective in this area that they paralyzed the local Union trade. While she was in the area, US ships were afraid to even leave port.

9. After 22 months on duty and needing repairs, the CSS Alabama went to what port in June of 1864?

Answer: Cherbourg, France

She was reoutfitted and repaired while there.

10. What US ship sank the CSS Alabama?

Answer: USS Kearsarge

When the USS Kearsarge appeared the Alabama sailed out to engage her. The Kearsarge had better weapons and armament and sank the CSS Alabama. The Kearsarge rescued most of her crew, but Semmes and 41 others were picked up by the British yacht Dearhound and escaped to England. This put an end to the Confedrate's greatest warship's career.

Source: Author foxgap

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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