In this episode I look at the career of Raphael Semmes and his most famous ship the CSS Alabama one of the most effective of the CSA Commerce Raiders during the Civil War. The CSS Alabama was one of the most feared ships of its time in the 20 months that it was at sea sinking at least 40 ships during that time. The captain Raphael Semmes also was in charge earlier in the war of the CSS Sumter and he sunk about 20 ships in his career with this ship. I also look at some of the other commerce raiders during the war which can be seen as perhaps the best effective weapon of the Confederacy in the North Atlantic Theater.