Captures of the Alabama

Saturday, November 8th.---In the mid-watch a sail was reported---a schooner, standing south. Wore ship (1:30 a.m.), and gave chase. Soon after daylight, the chase being some five miles dead to windward of us, a ship was discerned standing to the northward and westward. Discontinued the chase of the schooner, and gave chase to the ship. At 10 a.m., the latter having approached to within a mile of us (we having United States colours flying), hove her to with a gun, and a change of flags. Sent a boat, and brought the master on board. She proved to be the ship T. B. Wales, of Boston, from Calcutta for Boston. There being no claim of neutral property among the papers, and the master having no knowledge on the subject, except that the linseed belonged to the owner of the ship, condemned both ship and cargo. A large portion of this cargo was consigned to Baring Brothers, Boston, including 1704 bags of saltpetre--contraband of war--which would have condemned all the property of the Barings, even if proof of ownership had been found on board, which was not the case. We are to be embarrassed with two females and some children, the master having his wife with him, and there being also a passenger and his wife. I shall bestow them upon the ward-room, having a couple of state rooms vacated for them. Poor women! they are suffering for the sins of their wicked countrymen who are waging this murderous war upon us.

Source: Capt. Raphael Semmes, The Log of the Alabama.