audiobook Fire on the Water: The USS Kearsarge and the CSS Alabama by James Gindlesperger in History

Review

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Review of James Grindlesperger's book; "Fire on the Water"By ABHI've been reading about the battle between the USS Kearsarge and the CSS Alabama for years but found out some information in this one I'd been looking for for a long time. The author did excellent research. The book was very readable. I grade it highly.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Despite CSS Alabama's poor condition; her commanderBy Robert A. LynnFIRE ON THE WATER: THE USS KEARSARGE AND THE CSS ALABAMAJAMES GINDLESPERGERBURD STREET PRESS; 2003QUALITY SOFTCOVER; $27.95; 316 PAGES; ILLUSTRATIONS; MAPS; APPENDICES; NOTES; BIBLIOGRAPHY; INDEXAfter nearly two years of highly successful cruising at the expense of the United States' commercial shipping; the CSS Alabama returned to European waters in early June; 1864; arriving at Cherbourg; France on 11 June. Since its commissioning; the CSS Alabama had cruised for approximately 21 months over nearly 75;000 miles; and had taken 64 prizes worth more than $6.5 million. The ship never entered a Confederate port; but was replenished and refueled in such spots as Bahia; Brazil; Capetown; Singapore; and Cherbourg. Three days after the Confederate warship anchored in the French harbor; the USS Kearsrage took up station off the port.Despite CSS Alabama's poor condition; her commander; Captain Raphael Semmes; decided to fight the Union vessel; commanded by Captain John Winslow. On Sunday; June 19; the warships engaged each other outside the 3-mile limit; exchanging fir for just over an hour as they steamed in slowly narrowing circles. At the beginning of the eighth circle; when the ships were approximately 400 yards apart; the CSS Alabama sank. The USS Kearsarge took 64 prisoners. Semmes; 14 officers; and 24 crewmen were rescued by the Englich yacht Deerhound and taken to England.FIRE ON THE WATER: THE USS KEARSARGE AND THE CSS ALABAMA is a meticulously researched and fresh perspective on the CSS Alabama the scourge of the Union merchant fleet and the USS Kearsarge that pursued her and finally sank her. This is naval history at its finest.Colonel Robert A. Lynn; Florida GuardOrlando; Florida5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. The riveting story of that epic naval confrontationBy Midwest Book ReviewOn June 19; 1864; the Union warship Kearsage fought an epic battle off the coast of France with the Confederate warship Alabama. "Fire On The Water" is the riveting story of that epic naval confrontation by author and civil war historian James Gindlesperger. Captained by Raphael Semmes; the CSS Alabama had been raiding Union merchant ships for the better part of two years and accounted for almost one of every four union merchant ships lost during the American Civil War to a total of more than 60 ships sunk. The USS Kearsarge (first captained by Charles Pickering and the later by John Winslow) chased the Alabama around the seas and oceans of the world and finally caught up with her. Profusely illustrated (including maps of 'The Cruise of the Alabama' and 'The Battle'); and featuring appendices listing the ships captured or detained by the Alabama; officers and crews of both vessels; extensive chapter notes; and a comprehensive index; "Fire On The Water" is a work of impressive and detailed scholarship; making it a strongly recommended addition to personal and academic library Civil War and American Naval History reference collections and supplemental reading lists. Also very highly recommended are two earlier Civil War studies by James Gindlesperger: "Escape From Libby Prison" and "Seed Corn Of The Confederacy".