JeffB-

"but a conversation with a South African convinces me that the African Alabama song above does not refer to the CSS warship but to a coastal trader."

You're probably right on this. The story of the connection is most likely romantic nonsense, a good story that folks like to repeat, myself included.

I believe the original name of the Alabama was the Sea King when she was launched, not consulting my reference books but it seems correct.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble