Ron - Just out of interest - My copy of "THE NATIONAL ENCYCLOPÆDIA: A Dictionary of Universal Knowledge. By Writers of Eminence in Literature, Science and Art." Circa 1876, has this to say about The Alabama -

"The vessel was built by Messrs. Laird of Birkenhead and sailed surreptitiously from the Mersey on the 31st of July 1862, known simply as "No 290". She proceeded to Terceira, one of the Western Islands, where she was supplied with guns, coal and stores from a vessel which had been sent from London to meet her..."

So - when you tell people you can now say you have an (almost) contemporary account of it!:-)

Anyone have any recommendations for a book on the Civil War? Particularly the British involvement?

Cheers

Dave