Photograph of the CSS Alabama in Singapore Harbor

A Second Copy.

by Terry Foenander

A second copy of the photograph showing the CSS Alabama in Singapore harbor in December, 1863, has been located in the collections of Mr. Lee Kip Lin of Singapore. Like the copy held by the Tennessee State Archives, this one is an oval reproduction measuring 20.2 cm. x 14.7 cm., but unlike the copy at the Tennessee Archives, Mr. Lee's copy is in better condition.

This copy is included in an elaborate album, titled Views and Types of Singapore, 1863, that was put together by Singapore photographer, August Sachtler, who operated in the colony for about a decade from the early 1860's. More than likely this indicates that Sachtler was the person who photographed the vessel.

Mr. Peter Lee, of Singapore, nephew of Mr. Lee Kip Lin, has been kind enough to provide details of the image, and to allow it to be reproduced at this page.

Cover of the Sachtler & Company Album, in which the photograph shown below is included. [Courtesy of Mr. Lee Kip LIn, of Singapore]

Photograph of the CSS Alabama, in Singapore Harbor, December, 1863. Note the vessel to the right of the Confederate cruiser, which is most likely a man of war.

©, Photographs - Mr. Lee Kip Lin; text - Terry Foenander.

September, 2002.