Margaret Sanger Essay - 1428 Words

Margaret Sanger The early twentieth century was a turning point in American history-especially in regards to the acquisition of womens rights. While the era was considered to be prosperous and later thought to be a happy-go-lucky time, in actuality, it was a time of grave social conflict and human suffering (Parish, 110). Among those who endured much suffering were women. As Margaret Sanger found out, women, especially those who were poor, had no choice regarding pregnancy. The only way not to get pregnant was by not having sex- a choice that was almost always the husbands. This was even more true in the case of lower-class men for whom, sex was the poor mans only luxury (Douglas, 31). As a nurse who assisted in delivering†¦show more content†¦While her book was considered obscene, lewd and lascivious material (Gray, 43), Sanger was convinced that education about these topics were necessary. Through the publishing of What Every girl Should Know, Margaret Sanger demons trated to common women, to her adversaries, and to the government that women deserve the right to learn about and understand their bodies. In addition to What Every Girl Should Know, Sanger created other propaganda, which informed women that they deserved the right to prevent births. The purpose of her first publication of this type, a magazine called The Woman Rebel, was to inspire women to demand rights. She wanted to stimulate working women to think for themselves and to build up a conscience, fighting character (Douglas, 50). In each issue of the Rebel, she discussed topics such as child labor, women and children in industry, health and cultural opportunities. She believed that women must determine her own maternity-This was the most precious freedom (Douglas, 50). Following The Woman Rebel, Sanger wrote a pamphlet called Family Limitations. In this pamphlet, Sanger discussed such topics as the use of condoms, the importance of douches, and the practice of coitus interrup ts or withdrawal (Whitelaw-Every, 50). For this informational writing, Sanger called a heinous criminal who sought to turn every home into a brothel andShow MoreRelatedMargaret Sanger s Margaret Louise Sanger1131 Words   |  5 Pagesthe biography, â€Å"Margaret Louise Sanger† (2007), Margaret was born on September 14, 1879 in Corning, New York. She was born to her parents, Anne Purcell and Michael Hennessey Higgins, who were Irish Catholic Immigrants. Shortly after the birth of her eleventh child, Anne Purcell died from tuberculosis; Margaret was nineteen (â€Å"The Pill† n.d.). While Margaret was the sixth of eleven children, she and her first husband, William Sanger, had three children together (â€Å"Margaret Louise Sanger† 2007). AfterRead MoreMargaret Sanger : Margaret Sanger And Womens Rights Movement1370 Words   |  6 Pagesbattle between modernism and traditionalism(Zeitz). Margaret Sanger was born on September 14, 1879, in Corning New York. She was the sixth child out of 11. As she grew up, she witnessed the death of her mother from giving birth and she saw so many children living in poverty. To escape the torture she moved out with her older sister at a very young age and started helping to educate the immigrants children.While living with her sister Margaret became a part-time nurse at the womens ward. She wasRead More margaret sanger Essay752 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"one girl revolution†. Though Margaret Sangers revolution may be even more controversial now than during her 50-year career of national and international battles, her opinions can teach us many lessons. Due to her strong influence in history, our society has increased health awareness for women, made sexual protection a choice for all people, and also introduced family modification as a choice for mankind. Having gone through the hardships that she did, Margaret Sanger developed her own theories andRead MoreThe Fight For Contraceptives By Margaret Sanger1201 Words   |  5 PagesMargaret Sanger, a New York and an active feminist, led the fight for contraceptives, which are methods or devices to prevent pregnancy. Sanger, whose mother at a young age because she had birthed eleven children, helped shape her into a very individualistic and assertive woman. She was a part of the Socialist party, while studying to be a nurse, and starting a family of her own. In 1912, she began to work in the slums with the poor immigrant women who lived there. Her experience in the slums withRead MoreMaking A Change : Margaret Sanger1713 Words   |  7 PagesMaking a Change: Margaret Sanger’s 1925 Speech Margaret Sanger’s, The Children’s Era, exudes knowledge on how contraceptives and birth-control will create a better world for the children. This paper conducts a Neo-Aristotelian analysis of Margaret Sanger’s 1925 speech. It contributes to rhetorical theory by advancing knowledge of how rhetors create a consensus on the use of birth-control and contraceptives. The paper proceeds first by establishing the context of the speech, which will include theRead MoreInformative Speech : Margaret Sanger1091 Words   |  5 PagesInformative Speech Topic: Margaret Sanger General Purpose: To inform of one of Times 100 people who changed the world Specific Purpose: To inform of the impact of Margaret Sanger Thesis: Margaret Sanger changed the world by rallying for the availability and use of contraceptives for all women. I. Introduction A. Attention Getter: â€Å"No woman can call herself free who does not own and control her body. No woman can call herself free until she can choose consciously whether she will or will not beRead MoreThe Birth Control Of Margaret Sanger Essay951 Words   |  4 PagesIn 1917, Margaret Sanger was arrested for distributing contraception pessirie to a immigrant women. Margaret Sanger, was a nurse, mother, sex educator, writer and most importantly an activist. Sanger, fought for women’s rights which one of the main one was to legalize birth control in America. During the process of fighting Sanger establish the American Birth Control League, now called Planned Parenthood. Sanger fund money to Grisworld the created of the hormonal birth control pill the dream of SangerRead MoreThe Birth Control Of Margaret Sanger2106 Words   |  9 Pageschildren would be lucky to be fed yet alone college educated. This is all because one woman, Margaret Sanger, devoted her life to this cause. This research paper will address who Margaret Sanger was, why birth control meant so much to her and how she devoted her life to its cause and creation. According to Woman of Valor: Margaret Sanger and the Birth Control Movement in America, by Ellen Chesler, Margaret Sanger was born in Corning, New York as a middle child with eleven other siblings in a poor VictorianRead MoreMargaret Sanger s Life And Life1272 Words   |  6 Pages Margaret Sanger was born in Corning, New York on September 14, 1879 [3] as Margaret Louise Higgins. [1] Her father, Michael Higgins, originally studied phrenology and other medical practices, but eventually moved to being a stone cutter. Her mother, Anne Higgins, was born in Ireland, and her family moved to Canada during the Potato Famine. In 1869 Michael married Anne and she went through 18 pregnancies, only 11 of which lived. [3] Margaret was the sixth child in this long line and spent herRead More Biography of Margaret Sanger Essay5092 Words   |  21 PagesBiography of Margaret Sanger Margaret Sanger founded a movement in this country that would institute such a change in the course of our biological history that it is still debated today. Described by some as a radiant rebel, Sanger pioneered the birth control movement in the United States at a time when Victorian hypocrisy and oppression through moral standards were at their highest. Working her way up from a nurse in New Yorks poor Lower East Side to the head of the Planned Parenthood Federation

Existentialist Theory Its Features, Advantages and...

Existentialist Theory, Its Features, Advantages and Disadvantages For introduction purposes, Existentialism is the philosophical theory that holds that in order to grasp human existence, then further set of categories governed by the norm of authenticity are necessary (Steven Crowell, 2010). Existentialism is a philosophy which stresses on human existence as opposed to the movements that submerge mans existence. Normally, if emphasis of distinction is placed upon mans existence then the question will be to show how it is different from humanism. Therefore, many features emerge to support the view of existentialism. The first feature is that existence precedes essence. This means that there is no human nature and or human prototype to which all men/human could ultimately conform to. Additionally, man remains the sole creator of his destiny (Dallas M, 1982). This is in line with the idea that there is no general, non-formal account of what it means to be human can be given, since that meaning is decided in and through existing itself. Therefore, the most important aspect/ consideration for individuals is the fact that they are an individual in themselves—they are an independently acting and responsible, conscious being (existence)—and not just what labels, roles, stereotypes, definitions, or other preconceived categories the individual fits (essence). The other feature of existentialism is that of absurdity/nothingness/anxiety. This implies that we do not have meaningShow MoreRelatedAndrocentrism: Feminists for Equality2854 Words   |  12 Pagesandrocentrism), and it seems that Schopenhauer would certainly agree with this notion. He openly regards compassion, beauty, sympathy and gentleness (all characteristics he deems feminine) as being part of a defective personality. These features very closely reflect features described by Aristotle in his composition. Besides the obvious damaging effects that the idea as femininity as bad has on women, the idea that certain things such as gentleness and compassion are feminine also leads to oppression forRead Moresecond sex Essay13771 Words   |  56 PagesIt is still talked about, however, for the voluminous nonsense uttered during the last century seems to have done little to illuminate the problem. After all, is there a problem? And if so, what is it? Are there women, really? Most assuredly the theory of the eternal feminine still has its adherents who will whisper in your ear: Even in Russia women still are women; and other erudite persons sometimes the very same ? say with a sigh: Woman is los ing her way, woman is lost. One wonders if

Basic Principles of Supervision Free Essays

Supervision in terms of reflective practice can be defined as a steady cooperative reflection among a facility benefactor (either clinical or other) and supervisor that is being built upon the supervisee’s usage of his opinions, spirits, and beliefs in a facility happenstance. Reflective supervision accompaniments the aims and performance of an organization. It can be helpful to think about supervision both in terms of development (which is related to ongoing professional learning) and performance (which is related to clinical governance and standard setting). We will write a custom essay sample on Basic Principles of Supervision or any similar topic only for you Order Now Principles of Supervision Be clear about why there is a need for supervision and who has asked for it. Set a time frame for the supervision session; even a few minutes of focused time can be worthwhile. Protect the time and space where possible and appropriate; try to ensure there will be no interruptions and that there is privacy. Ensure that there is confidentiality Be transparent about the extent to which the supervision is about development or performance; this may need to be renegotiated or stated during the session. Supervision is for: Students Contexts (professional networks in schools, department issues etc.) Career development A Question-Based Approach to Supervision: The 7 C?s The 7 C’s Conversations It indicates that discussion is a working tool on its own. Effective conversations not only define the real views of people but these have the ability to generate its new accepting by providing opportunities to people of rethinking and reconstructing their levels. Curiosity This is being used to encourage the story of pupils, coworkers and oneself. It includes giving careful devotion to both languages verbal and non-verbal. It also contains inquisitiveness of supervisor on his own responses; criticism sensation , dullness, nervousness, etc. Contexts This develops an understanding of the RP’s networks, their sense of culture, faith, beliefs, community, values, history and geography, and how these affect teaching. An important framework is that of how authority is being understood (see below). Who is holding power and how this can be seen by others? The understanding of different contexts of people or administrations included is important in developing effective supervision dialogues and making them effective. Complexity It includes understanding of belongings in multi directions. Becoming more interested in interactions/patterns between people and events producing a richer story. Creativity It involves in searching means to generate a real version which creates wisdom. It suggests imaginative procedure of mutually building new variety of the story by supervision process. Caution It includes the looking for clues by teaching. It involves working with a level of challenge. It is suitable to provide a direct advice. Care It incorporates being humble, thoughtful and focused. It means that it ensures that reflective practice in educational environment is approved in a moral context. Q2: What is a theory? Explain the aims of theory building. As a reflective practitioner, what could be the issues you have to face in developing your own personal theory? Marks (2 + 4 + 4=10) What is Theory? An articulate standard of common proposals used as values of clarification of ostensible relations of definite perceived occurrences. The aims of theory building The aims of theory building are: Explanation: Theory is to explain the concept about what we observe and relationships among concepts. It is to explain what we have seen and how to figure out the problem and to make plan a resource to bring about change. E.g., what produces bad behaviors? Prediction: Theory is to make prediction related to teaching i.e. if the action A then what will be the reaction B or if A happens B will follow. Issues in developing your personal theory There is a lot of stuff that can be incorrect in a theory, and we have to keep an eye on that stuff to minimize errors. Few things are mentioned below to be observed: Ethnocentrism: Everybody is being brought up in a culture which has been existing earlier than their birth. It effects our thinking very finely and meticulously that we create up discerning â€Å"this is the way things are,† rather than â€Å"this is the ways things are in this particular society†. As in our society, we have additional problems with sensitivity and dreading aged and loss. People are dubious to change their beliefs unless they have opportunities to critically reflect upon them. Egocentrism: Next issue can be probable hazard within speculating is particularities of theorist as a person. Everyone elsewhere our culture, has precise facts for one’s life i.e. Genetics, special experiences, education, and so on they disturb our way of thinking, feeling and finally, the way we interpret others. The intention is to learn mechanisms from hitches experts in practice or wish to sustain exchange in knowledge. Dogmatism: This is third hazard. As human beings, we have a natural conventional affinity: We always consider work done in the past and if we dedicate our subsists to develop a personal theory, pour our core to it, we can be very self-justifying about it. Misunderstandings: one of the issues can be unintentional inferences: It can be like that you want to say something but loose words that makes your intentions susceptible. That’s why, people will misunderstand you. There are several things that can cause misunderstandings i.e., Translation Neologisms Metaphors How to cite Basic Principles of Supervision, Papers

The Old Demon Essay Example For Students

The Old Demon Essay The Old Demon In the short story â€Å"The Old Demon† by Pearl S. Buck, Mrs. Wang is a practical person, who takes things at face value, does whatever she thinks must be done, and accepts her fate. Foremost, Mrs. Wang takes things at face value. Seeing things as they truly are, after rescuing a wounded soldier from a fallen plane, she learns from a crowd of Chinese soldiers that he is Japanese. Though fully acknowledging that he is the adversary, Mrs. Wang saves the young man from being stabbed. The Chinese soldiers’ query to her concern for the â€Å"Japanese monkey† results in Mrs. Wang’s compelling response: â€Å"If he is dead, then there is no use in sending him into purgatory all in pieces† (Buck 159). Unlike the others, Mrs. Wang clearly distinguishes him not as just one of the Japanese, but rather as an injured man who needs help. She perceives things as they are, rescuing the young soldier from a painful death. Although he is Japanese, she sees him as she does everyone else, a human being in a time of great need. Additionally, Mrs. Wang does whatever she thinks must be done. For instance, as the silver planes crash headlong into the vast field, the villagers flee, striving to escape the burning catastrophe. Though Little Pig’s wife pleads and implores her to run, Mrs. Wang seats herself against the bank of the dike and gazes at the extraordinary spectacle, replying â€Å"I haven’t run in seventy years, since before my feet were bound† (156). Stubborn, old Mrs. Wang refuses to leave and abandon her place, for she knows that she is slow and will only delay the others from escaping. Placing others before herself, she feels that â€Å"it is her duty† to stay behind (156). Acknowledging what is right, she puts others before herself, in spite of the fatal consequences that it holds. Lastly, Mrs. Wang accepts her fate. Exemplifying acquiescence of her destiny, in the arrival of an army of Japanese soldiers, she understands that if they are not stopped, then they will kill all the villagers. As they march across the plain, the circumstances pose a difficult choice: her death or the death of the villagers. Mrs. Wang soon realizes that there â€Å"is an end to what one could see,† and this is the end for her. Knowing what she must do, she opens the water sluice and unleashes the wicked river, drowning both herself and the Japanese. Mrs. Wang sacrifices her life for the villagers, prepared for life and where it shall take her.

Meursault is in existential despair

Introduction Existentialism is a philosophy that underscores a small amount of main points, for example, the liberty to decide and the decisions one adopts which should be self-willed so that external influences or forces in forms of friends, associates or stakeholders have no impact on one’s choices.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Meursault is in existential despair specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The individual must recognize and realize that he/she has the responsibilities and obligations to embrace the consequences of his/her decisions made as result of his or her own experience in as far as life is concerned. These are some of the aspects of existentialism. Discussion Meursault is infamous as an existentialist. The story of Meursault describes that he murdered an Arab using a gun while they were picnicking on a beach. The reactions, moods and behaviors of Meursault, as a consequence of this murder, clearly depict him as an existentialist who was in despair. Meursault’s earlier life, before he was finally executed, is characterized by carelessness, ignorance, irresponsibility and absence of any goals or reasons in life. On one occasion, he was betrothed to a young girl though having no serious feelings to that person. In prison, after being arrested because of the murder of the Arab, he displayed indifferent attitude towards his beloved one. Similarly, when his mother died during the same period when he was in prison, he did not care. Again, the consequences surrounding the outcome of his sentence because of the murder case never bothered Meursault. When a prisoner gets a death experience, a person discovers that death cannot be cheated, thus one recollects the whole life. This is a fact that applies to all mankind. On the road to recovery, there exists the need to acknowledge the illogical and to accept that death is indeed inevitable. IT may be strange though the unive rsal nature of death gives many a purpose to live. It presents a need to love and be compassionate to the others who share the same fate. The moral guidelines of society are derived from these feelings. The Stranger is a book on Meursault’s development on his road to recovery. At the beginning of the book, the author describes Meursault’s remorse over his mother’s death because he does not comprehend the concept of death. However, after the murder of the Arab, he realizes and concedes his own lack of purpose in life and looming death.Advertising Looking for essay on philosophy? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More While in prison, he gradually discovers that the life he lived was not empty. He misses the some small things, such as to smoke and enjoy other life-related pleasures. The things which seemed to have no meaning now appear very important to him. Mersault embarks on a journey to search for purpose in hi s life and ends up inventing the one. Despite trying to explain his actions to the magistrate, Mersault does not absolutely decline the existence of God and death. Priests and friends try to convert him to the reality and pursued in life after death. Consequently, though seemed to be adamant, was he agrees to accept his imminent death as a connection to humanity. Mersault hopelessly waits for his execution though he feels tranquil since he now clearly understands and knows himself. One of Mersault’s hobbies is getting acquainted with current affairs and other related information from media sources, such as newspapers. He exhibits extra ordinary interest in reading topics related to scenes of murders. A good example is the much highlighted editorials related to the ongoing massacres of Czechs. He is fond of nature and finds the scenes ranging from marine, terrestrial and celestial surroundings appealing. Mersault also has time for leisure either at home or picnicking around th e country sides. Notwithstanding the fact that he has the above attributes and is perceptive of them, Mersault fails to express affection and compassion. The outcome of the sentence of his life termination given by the court in connection to the Arab murder has negatively affected Mersault. He is heavily contemplating the loss after the realization that the pleasures and leisure time he enjoyed are no more so important. He gets preoccupied with thinking and plotting escape. He cannot accept his sentence. He wonders why he was found guilty. He does not understand why he was tried not in a Chinese court, but in a French one. The timing and its relationship to the delivery of the verdict seemed a paradox to him. Meursault comes to the realization of his fate as an inevitable demise. He thinks of prison guards leading him to his death in the morning and hopes that his appeal would be accepted. He is looking at the sky through his window and listening to his heartbeat to try and get dist raction while imagining his heart would stop beating.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Meursault is in existential despair specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More He also thinks in event of his appeal being granted he might still be found guilty and thus his death is a looming fact whether it was to come now or later. He then ponders over a successful appeal and another chance to be set free and get more years to live. He also states that he would not mind to live in a hollow tree truck, so long as he gets to watch the sky, passing birds and clouds. Conclusion In conclusion, when Meursault is sentenced to death by the magistrate, he is ready to go. He is heard confessing that he lived a happy life before the murder and even in the face of death he considers living happily. Life or death is the same for Meursault. Contrary to his earlier attitude, after he realizes that he is facing death, he plunges into deep thoughts a bout life in this world and the life after death. He ponders how his mother experienced ahead of her death. He is facing the reality of similar circumstances because of the death sentence. He has deep meditation on the real life on earth and starts appreciating the talents and the wide benefits endowed by the Mother Nature which he previously enjoyed indifferently though now he could understand their values in the face of death. He dies hoping to encounter similar values of life after death. Meursault started recognizing the importance of each moment in life. This essay on Meursault is in existential despair was written and submitted by user Mr. Immortal to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Differences Between Parameters and Statistics

Differences Between Parameters and Statistics In several disciplines, the goal is to study a large group of individuals. These groups could be as varied as a species of bird, college freshmen in the U.S. or cars driven around the world. Statistics are used in all of these studies when it is infeasible or even impossible to study each and every member of the group of interest. Rather than measuring the wingspan of every bird of a species, asking survey questions to every college freshman, or measuring the fuel economy of every car in the world, we instead study and measure a subset of the group. The collection of everyone or everything that is to be analyzed in a study is called a population. As we have seen in the examples above, the population could be enormous in size. There could be millions or even billions of individuals in the population. But we must not think that the population has to be large. If our group being studied is fourth graders in a particular school, then the population consists only of these students. Depending on the school size, this could be less than a hundred students in our population. To make our study less expensive in terms of time and resources, we only study a subset of the population. This subset is called a sample. Samples can be quite large or quite small. In theory, one individual from a population constitutes a sample. Many applications of statistics require that a sample has at least 30 individuals. Parameters and Statistics What we are typically after in a study is the parameter. A parameter is a numerical value that states something about the entire population being studied. For example, we may want to know the mean wingspan of the American bald eagle. This is a parameter because it is describing all of the population. Parameters are difficult if not impossible to obtain exactly. On the other hand, each parameter has a corresponding statistic that can be measured exactly. A statistic is a numerical value that states something about a sample. To extend the example above, we could catch 100 bald eagles and then measure the wingspan of each of these. The mean wingspan of the 100 eagles that we caught is a statistic. The value of a parameter is a fixed number. In contrast to this, since a statistic depends upon a sample, the value of a statistic can vary from sample to sample. Suppose our population parameter has a value, unknown to us, of 10. One sample of size 50 has the corresponding statistic with value 9.5. Another sample of size 50 from the same population has the corresponding statistic with value 11.1. The ultimate goal of the field of statistics is to estimate a population parameter by use of sample statistics. Mnemonic Device There is a simple and straightforward way to remember what a parameter and statistic are measuring. All that we must do is look at the first letter of each word. A parameter measures something in a population, and a statistic measures something in a sample. Examples of Parameters and Statistics Below are some more example of parameters and statistics: Suppose we study the population of dogs in Kansas City. A parameter of this population would be the mean height of all dogs in the city. A statistic would be the mean height of 50 of these dogs.We will consider a study of high school seniors in the United States. A parameter of this population is the standard deviation of grade point averages of all high school seniors. A statistic is the standard deviation of the grade point averages of a sample of 1000 high school seniors.We consider all of the likely voters for an upcoming election. There will be a ballot initiative to change the state constitution.  We wish to determine the level of support for this ballot initiative.  A parameter, in this case, is the proportion of the population of likely voters that support the ballot initiative.  A related statistic is the corresponding proportion of a sample of likely voters.

Raphael Semmes in the Civil War

Raphael Semmes in the Civil War Raphael Semmes - Early Life Career: Born in Charles County, MD on September 27, 1809, Raphael Semmes was the fourth child of Richard and Catherine Middleton Semmes. Orphaned at an early age, he moved to Georgetown, DC to live with his uncle and later attended Charlotte Hall Military Academy. Completing his education, Semmes elected to pursue a naval career. With the assistance of another uncle, Benedict Semmes, he obtained a midshipmans warrant in the US Navy in 1826. Going to sea, Semmes learned his new trade and succeeded in passing his exams in 1832. Assigned to Norfolk, he cared for the US Navys chronometers and spent his spare time studying law. Admitted to the Maryland bar in 1834, Semmes returned to sea the following year aboard the frigate USS Constellation (38 guns). While aboard, he received a promotion to lieutenant in 1837. Assigned to the Pensacola Navy Yard in 1841, he elected to transfer his residency to Alabama. Raphael Semmes - Prewar Years: While in Florida, Semmes received his first command, the sidewheel gunboat USS Poinsett (2). Largely employed in survey work, he next took command of the brig USS Somers (10). In command when the Mexican-American War began in 1846, Semmes commenced blockade duty in the Gulf of Mexico. On December 8, Somers became caught in a severe squall and began to founder. Forced to abandon ship, Semmes and the crew went over the side. Though he was rescued, thirty-two of the crew drowned and seven were captured by the Mexicans. A subsequent court of inquiry found no fault with Semmes behavior and praised his actions during the brigs final moments. Sent ashore the following year, he took part in Major General Winfield Scotts campaign against Mexico City and served on the staff of Major General William J. Worth. With the end of the conflict, Semmes moved to Mobile, AL to await further orders. Resuming the practice of law, he wrote Service Afloat and Ashore During the Mexican War about his time in Mexico. Promoted to commander in 1855, Semmes received an assignment to the Lighthouse Board in Washington, DC. He remained in this post as sectional tensions began to rise and states started to leave the Union after the election of 1860. Feeling that his loyalties were with the newly-formed Confederacy, he resigned his commission in the US Navy on February 15, 1861. Traveling to Montgomery, AL, Semmes offered his services to President Jefferson Davis. Accepting, Davis sent him north on a mission to covertly buy arms. Returning to Montgomery in early April, Semmes was commissioned as a commander in the Confederate Navy and made head of the Lighthouse Board. Raphael Semmes - CSS Sumter: Disappointed with this assignment, Semmes lobbied Secretary of the Navy Stephen Mallory to allow him to convert a merchant vessel into a commerce raider. Granting this request, Mallory ordered him to New Orleans to overhaul the steamer Habana. Working through the early days of the Civil War, Semmes changed the steamer into the raider CSS Sumter (5). Completing the work, he moved down the Mississippi River and successfully breached the Union blockade on June 30. Outrunning the steam sloop USS Brooklyn (21), Sumter reached open water and began hunting Union merchant vessels. Operating off Cuba, Semmes captured eight ships before shifting south to Brazil. Sailing in southern waters into the fall, Sumter took four additional Union vessels before returning north to coal at Martinique. Departing the Caribbean in November, Semmes captured six more ships as Sumter crossed the Atlantic Ocean. Arriving at Cadiz, Spain on January 4, 1862, Sumter badly required a major overhaul. Prohibited from doing the needed work in Cadiz, Semmes moved down the coast to Gibraltar. While there, Sumter was blockaded by three Union warships including the steam sloop USS (7). Unable to move forward with repairs or escape the Union vessels, Semmes received orders on April 7 to lay up his ship and return to the Confederacy. Taking passage to the Bahamas, he reached Nassau later that spring where he learned of his promotion to captain and his assignment to command a new cruiser then under construction in Britain. Raphael Semmes - CSS Alabama: Operating in England, Confederate agent James Bulloch was tasked with establishing contacts and finding vessels for the Confederate Navy. Forced to operate through a front company to avoid issues with British neutrality, he was able to contract for the construction of a screw sloop at the yard of John Laird Sons Company in Birkenhead. Laid down in 1862, the new hull was designated #290 and launched on July 29, 1862. On August 8, Semmes joined Bulloch and the two men oversaw the construction of the new vessel. Initially known as Enrica, it was rigged as a three-masted barque and possessed a direct-acting, horizontal condensing steam engine which powered a retractable propeller. As Enrica completed fitting out, Bulloch hired a civilian crew to sail the new vessel to Terceira in the Azores. Sailing aboard the chartered steamer Bahama, Semmes and Bulloch rendezvoused with Enrica and the supply ship Agrippina. Over the next several days, Semmes oversaw Enricas conversion into a commerce raider. With the work complete, the he commissioned the ship CSS Alabama (8) on August 24. Electing to operate around the Azores, Semmes scored Alabamas first prize on September 5 when it captured the whaler Ocumlgee. Over the next two weeks, the raider destroyed a total of ten Union merchant ships, mostly whalers, and inflicted around $230,000 in damage. Moving toward the East Coast, Alabama made thirteen captures as the fall progressed. Though Semmes desired to raid New York harbor, a lack of coal forced him to steam for Martinique and a meeting with Agrippina. Re-coaling, he sailed for Texas with the hope of frustrating Union operations off Galveston. Nearing the port on January 11, 1863, Alabama was spotted by the Union blockade force. Turning to flee like a blockade runner, Semmes succeeded in luring USS Hatteras (5) away from its consorts before striking. In a brief battle, Alabama forced the Union warship to surrender. Landing and paroling the Union prisoners, Semmes turned south and made for Brazil. Operating along the coast of South America through late July, Alabama enjoyed a successful spell that saw it capture twenty-nine Union merchant ships. Crossing to South Africa, Semmes spent much of August refitting Alabama at Cape Town. Eluding several pursuing Union warships, Alabama moved into the Indian Ocean. Though Alabama continued to increase its tally, hunting became increasingly sparse particularly when it reached the East Indies. After overhauling at Candore, Semmes turned west in December. Departing Singapore, Alabama was increasingly in need of a full dockyard refit. Touching at Cape Town in March 1864, the raider made its sixty-fifth and final capture the following month as it steamed north toward Europe. Raphael Semmes - Loss of CSS Alabama: Reaching Cherbourg on June 11, Semmes entered the harbor. This proved a poor choice as the only dry docks in the city belonged to the French Navy whereas La Havre possessed privately-owned facilities. Requesting use of the dry docks, Semmes was informed that it required the permission of Emperor Napoleon III who was on vacation. The situation was made worse by the fact that the Union ambassador in Paris immediately alerted all Union naval vessels in Europe as to Alabamas location. The first to arrive off the harbor was Captain John A. Winslows Kearsarge. Unable to gain permission to use the dry docks, Semmes faced a difficult choice. The longer he remained at Cherbourg, the greater the Union opposition would likely become and the chances increased that the French would prevent his departure. As a result, after issuing a challenge to Winslow, Semmes emerged with his ship on June 19. Escorted by the French ironclad frigate Couronne and the British yacht Deerhound, Semmes approached the limit of French territorial waters. Battered from its long cruise and with its store of powder in poor condition, Alabama entered the battle at a disadvantage. In the fight that ensued, Alabama hit the Union vessel several times but the poor condition of its powder showed as several shells, including one that hit Kearsarges sternpost, failed to detonate. Kearsarge faired better as its rounds hit with telling effect. An hour after the battle began, Kearsarges guns had reduced the Confederacys greatest raider to a burning wreck. With his ship sinking, Semmes struck his colors and requested help. Sending boats, Kearsarge managed to rescue much of Alabamas crew, though Semmes was able to escape aboard Deerhound. Raphael Semmes - Later Career Life Taken to Britain, Semmes remained abroad for several months before embarking on the steamer Tasmanian on October 3. Arriving in Cuba, he returned to the Confederacy via Mexico. Arriving in Mobile on November 27, Semmes was hailed as a hero. Traveling to Richmond, VA, he received a vote of thanks from the Confederate Congress and gave a full report to Davis. Promoted to rear admiral on February 10, 1865, Semmes took command of the James River Squadron and aided in the defense of Richmond. On April 2, with the fall of Petersburg and Richmond imminent, he destroyed his ships and formed a Naval Brigade from his crews. Unable to join General Robert E. Lees retreating army, Semmes accepted the rank of brigadier general from Davis and moved south to join General Joseph E. Johnstons army in North Carolina. He was with Johnston when the general surrendered to Major General William T. Sherman at Bennett Place, NC on April 26. Initially paroled, Semmes later was arrested in Mobile on December 15 and charged with piracy. Held at the New York Navy Yard for three months, he gained his freedom in April 1866. Though elected probate judge for Mobile County, federal authorities prevented him from taking office. After briefly teaching at the Louisiana State Seminary (now Louisiana State University), he returned to Mobile where he served as a newspaper editor and author. Semmes died at Mobile on August 30, 1877, after contracting food poisoning and was buried in the citys Old Catholic Cemetery. Selected Sources US Navy: Captain Raphael Semmes CSS AlabamaEncyclopedia of Alabama: Raphael Semmes HistoryNet: Confederate Raider Raphael Semmes