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Ok, ok, there's no need to knock on the good Admiral Semmes.
Whatever the original poster has said, Semmes (raider or not, apparently an object of some scorn here) was a gallant man in two navies and a great man in civilian life as well.
Although I'm more of Frank Buchanan fan when it comes to the CSN, I suppose.
Putting Semmes in his proper historical place is not a knock on him. Semmes was a talented captain, but he's nothing more than a mere footnote in US Naval History.
Regards,
Cash
I think some of the quotes were a little harsh and insulting towards Semmes, that's all. I absolutely agree that he can't be called one of the great admirals in U.S. history. He essentially ran a one ship operation, so obviously he can't be compared to a Nimitz or Halsey, or what have you.
__________________ Up men, and to your post! And let no man forget today that you are from old Virginia!
I absolutely agree that he can't be called one of the great admirals in U.S. history. He essentially ran a one ship operation, so obviously he can't be compared to a Nimitz or Halsey, or what have you.
Who said he was one of the greatest ADMIRALS in US history?
The thread is entitled "The greatest ships captain in US history.
The thread is entitled "The greatest ships captain in US history.
And I'll repeat that sinking largely unarmed vessels does not add to "greatest."
I'll agree with nbforrest that he was a significant burr in the side of the US war effort. (And I'll also dig good ol' nb by adding: "like Forrest.")
Ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
Who said he was one of the greatest ADMIRALS in US history?
The thread is entitled "The greatest ships captain in US history.
So? John Paul Jones served as a ship's captain against the British against longer odds and managed to win his duels against British ships. If you don't like that comparison, take a hard look at what was accomplished by USN captains during the War of 1812 against long odds, or those of some USN submariners in the Pacific in WWII. No one is questioning that Semmes was a respected and talented sea-officer -- it is you who has made no effort to establish your claim instead.
"It is you who has made no effort to establish your claim instead."
Trice Sir, maybe you didnt read my post. Semmes captured 447 ships.
And he never operated out of a home port.
Read it before I posted anything. Semmes captured and burned unarmed ships, so it is not particularly surprising that he succeeded. At the end, he chose to leave port and fight a superior warship, exercising what should be regarded as poor judgement, and saw his ship destroyed. This is not a record to stand with other USN captains who stood in the line of battle. Do you know anything about their records and have you made any serious effort to evaluate Semmes against them, or are you simply praising Semmes because he was a Confederate?
"Are you simply praising Semmes because he was a Confederate?
Are you bashing the most successful ships captain in American history because he was a Confederate?
Now this appears to be deliberate distortion on your part. My sentence actually reads: "Do you know anything about their records and have you made any serious effort to evaluate Semmes against them, or are you simply praising Semmes because he was a Confederate?" You intentionally quoted only a part of it, and changed the capitalization to make it seem as if you had quoted a complete sentence. That is dishonest on your part.
Please actually ANSWER the questions you are asked instead of attempting cheap rhetorical tricks, and cease your attempts to create confusion and distortion.
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