Mobile in Mobile County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Admiral Raphael Semmes, CSA
18611865
Photographed by Stephen Bell, February 21, 2011
1. Admiral Raphael Semmes, CSA Monument
(Front):
Rear-Admiral, C.S. Navy
Sailor, Patriot, Statesman, Scholar, and Christian Gentleman
(Side Plaque):
Admiral Raphael Semmes, CSA
Commander of the Most Successful Sea Raider In History, CSS Alabama.
Still after these many years his patriotism and heroic deeds inspire us to cherish our American Liberties!
Erected 1900 by the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Relocated in the 1980s. Relocated here 1990; Rededicated 1992. Side plaque erected 2000 by the Sons of Confederate Veterans.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Sons of Confederate Veterans/United Confederate Veterans series list.
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 30° 41.422′ N, 88° 2.399′ W. Marker was in Mobile, Alabama, in Mobile County. It was on Government Street, in the median. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 65 Government Street Mobile AL 36602, Mobile AL 36602, United States of America.
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
this page online
Regionally, this marker was in Alabama’s Gulf Coast and in Mobile Bay. It was also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, and on the Gulf Coast. Globally, it was in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once New Spain, the Viceroyalty of New France, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Mobile's First Mardi Gras Parade (within shouting distance of this marker); 10" Rifled Sea Coast Columbiad (within shouting distance of this marker); City Hall (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); "Damn The Torpedoes!" The Campaigns for Mobile, 1864 - 1865 (about 300 feet away); Cadillac Homesite (about 400 feet away); Second Fort Conde Ruin (about 400 feet away); The Pelican Girls (about 500 feet away); Lynching in America / The Lynching of Richard Robertson (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mobile.
Also see . . . Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog entry. Excerpt:
Formerly located City of Mobile, Warehouse, Mobile, Alabama until 1992. Formerly located in Waterfront Park, Mobile, Alabama 1980s-Aug. 8, 1990. Formerly located Intersection of Government & Royal Streets, Mobile, Alabama. Formerly located at City Hall, Mobile, Alabama. Formerly located Intersection of Government & Royal Streets, Mobile, Alabama. ...(Submitted on June 5, 2020.)
Commissioned by the Ann T. Hunter Chapter Auxiliary of Raphael Semmes Camp 11, Sons of Confederate Veterans, in the late 1890s. Among the funds raised by the Sons of Confederate Veterans for the erection of the sculpture were donations of dimes from children. Unveiled June 27, 1900 by Mrs. Electra Semmes Colston, daughter of Admiral Semmes. Originally located at the intersection of Government & Royal Streets in Mobile. At some point the sculpture was moved to City Hall because of tunnel construction. The sculpture was returned to the intersectionof Government & Royal Streets where it was located for several years. The sculpture was relocated to Waterfront Park in Mobile in the 1980s. In 1990 the sculpture was removed because of construction of Mobile's waterfront convention center, and stored in a warehouse owned by the City of Mobile. The sculpture was relocated in 1992 to the Government Street median, east of Royal Street.Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, July 9, 20112. Admiral Raphael Semmes, CSA Plaque
The figure's sword was stolen in 1976 and found broken into several pieces; the figure currently has a sword, but it is unclear to cataloger whether the original sword was restored or a new one was cast. In 1979, the figure was blown from its base by Hurricane Frederic; the reinstallation of the figure necessitated a new anchor. Between the time the sculpture was removed from Waterfront Park in Aug. 1990 and rededicated at its Government street median location in 1992, the figure received a cold process chemical patina, and a new bronze plaque bearing the dates of Semmes' birth and death was cast for the base.
Additional commentary.
1. Statue moved to the History Museum in Mobile.
The statue was removed on June 5th, 2020, during the George Floyd protests, and was relocated to the History Museum of Mobile.
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, July 9, 2011
3. Admiral Raphael Semmes, CSA Side Plaque
Photographed by Stephen Bell, February 21, 2011
4. Admiral Raphael Semmes, CSA Monument
The statue can be seen in the distance in the median.
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, July 9, 2011
5. Admiral Raphael Semmes, CSA Monument
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, July 9, 2011
6. Admiral Raphael Semmes, CSA Monument
Photographed by Stephen Bell, February 21, 2011
7. Admiral Raphael Semmes, CSA Statue
Closeup of the statue itself.
Photographed by Stephen Bell, February 21, 2011
8. Admiral Raphael Semmes, CSA Additional Plaques
Closeup of plaques on statue.
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, July 9, 2011
9. Admiral Raphael Semmes- Museum of Mobile- Sword
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, July 9, 2011
10. Admiral Raphael Semmes- Museum of Mobile- Revolver & Photo
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, July 9, 2011
11. Admiral Raphael Semmes- Museum of Mobile- Bust
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, July 9, 2011
12. Admiral Raphael Semmes- Museum of Mobile-CSS Alabama Cannon
Photographed by Mark Hilton, December 10, 2017
13. Grave of Admiral Raphael Semmes, in Catholic Cemetery, about 3 miles away.
Plaque reads, “To the undying memory of Raphael Semmes, author, diplomat, journalist, scholar, soldier, and seaman extraordinary; but above all, and always, a gentleman. One of the greatest naval heroes in history. Born in Charles County, Maryland, September 27, 1809. Died at Point Clear, Alabama, August 30, 1877. Home is the sailor; home from the sea. At rest in the soil he loved. Requiescat In Pace.”
Credits. This page was last revised on June 15, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 5, 2011, by Stephen Bell of Biloxi, Mississippi. This page has been viewed 2,964 times since then and 72 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 5, 2011, by Stephen Bell of Biloxi, Mississippi. 2, 3. submitted on August 16, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. 4. submitted on March 5, 2011, by Stephen Bell of Biloxi, Mississippi. 5, 6. submitted on August 16, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. 7, 8. submitted on March 5, 2011, by Stephen Bell of Biloxi, Mississippi. 9, 10, 11, 12. submitted on August 16, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. 13. submitted on December 11, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
