Wednesday, Aug. 5th.--At 6 A.M. got up the anchor, and getting under way, steamed out of the bay and shaped our course for Cape Town. At 9:30 descried a sail a point on the starboard bow, and at 10:30 came up with and sent a boat on board of the Confederate barque Tuscaloosa, and brought Lieutenant Lowe on board. He reported having captured on the 31st July the American ship Santee, from the eastward, laden with rice, certificated as British property, and bound for Falmouth. He released her on ransom for 150,000 dollars. I directed Lieutenant Lowe to proceed to Simon's Bay for supplies. Steamed in for the town. At 12:30 made a barque, two points on starboard bow; gave chase, and at about 2 P.M. came up with and hove to the chase, she having up United States colours. This was a close pursuit, as the barque was not more than five or six mile from the shore when we came up with her. The Master might have saved himself I he had stood directly in for the land; but we ran down upon him under English colours, and he had no suspicion of our character until it was too late. The United States Consul at once protested against our violation of British waters! . . . Put a prize crew on board the prize (Sea Bride), and directed her to stand off and on until further orders. The moment the anchor dropped we were crowded with visitors.

Thursday, Aug 6th--Notwithstanding the bad weather, the ship has been crowded with visitors all the morning, and my cabin has been constantly filled with people pressing to shake hands with me, and to express sympathy for my cause . . . .

Source: Capt. Raphael Semmes, The Log of the Alabama & the Sumter, London: Saunders, Otley, & Co., 1864.