3-009-076 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Confederate sloop-of-war "290" or Alabama, leaving the merchant-ship Tonowanda, 1862. Engraving from a sketch by Mr. W. Woods. 'The Alabama, formerly the 290...has a 109-pounder rifled pivot-gun forward of the bridge, and a 63-pounder on the main-deck...the Attorney and Solicitor General, have given opinions that her sailing so armed and on such an errand as hers was a breach of the Queen's proclamation of neutrality...Our Engraving...represents the Alabama leaving the Tonowanda after having put on board that vessel the captains and crews of several Federal merchantmen which she had taken as prizes and burnt. The ship Tonowanda...was captured by the Alabama on the 9th of October...Captain Julius was taken on board, and found there Captain Harmon and crew, of the late barque Wave Crest...and Captain Johnson and crew, of the late brig Dunkirk...all prisoners and in irons on deck, their vessels having been burnt two days previous...No more prizes were taken till the evening of the 13th, and, there being every appearance of thick weather, Captain Julius was put on board the Tonowanda and allowed to proceed, after having given a ransom bond. All the captains, officers, and crews are parolled prisoners of war'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862.