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The CSS (Confederate State Ship)
Alabama was built in 1862 at Birkenhead by the John Laird & Sons
ship-yards. During the War of Secession, it sank 64 merchant ships and one
Union warship. Before long, it was sunk itself off Cherbourg during an
altercation with the USS (United States Ship) Kearsarge. The wreck was discovered in 1985 at a depth of 58 meters. It is the property of the United States, and a Franco-American crew has been undertaking excavation-work on it since 1988. The work is conducted under the supervision of the "Round-Table Franco-American Scientific Committee of the Alabama". |
| Environmental conditions - current, depth, and visibility - render the excavation very precarious, and demand the use of advanced methods: a submarine, the remote-controlled robot "Lagune", a battery-powered suctorial, deflectors ... |
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Initially, a lengthy period of evaluation yielded a general map of the site. The subsequent excavation focused on the study, followed by the raising of the pivoting Blakely cannon. Also under study were the officers' quarters at the rear of the ship. |
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Beside the Blakely canon and its pivoting chassis, the operation lifted a great number of objects from the officers' mess, as well as personal effects, such as fashion accessories, tools, revolver bullets, a sperm-whale tooth, and coins.
Excavation: Max Guérout / Association CSS Alabama
Photos : CSS Alabama Association
Authorized reproduction only
