290," was barque-rigged, her standing gear being formed throughout of wire rope; thus combining strength with lightness to the utmost possible extent.
Her ordinary suit of sails consisted of the usual square sails in the foremast, fore topmast staysail and jib, large fore and main topsails, maintop sail, topgallant sail and royal, and on the mizen-mast spanker and gaff topsail.

Occasionally, this rig would be varied, as was the case in entering Cherbourg, just before the close of her eventful career, when a crossjack yard was got up across the mizen-mast, with mizen topsail and topgallant yards to match; and the Alabama assumed for a time the appearance of a full-rigged ship.

This, however, was only a temporary _ruse_, and her ordinary cruising sails were similar to those commonly in use with vessels of her class.
A little forward of the mizen-mast was placed the steering apparatus, a large double wheel, inscribed with the significant words: _Aide toi et Dieu t'aidera_; a motto which, in the case of the Alabama, has been better acted up to than such legends usually are.

Just before the funnel, and near the centre of the vessel, was the bridge, at either side of which hung the two principal boats, cutter and launch; a gig, and whale-boat, being suspended from the davits on either side of the quarter-deck, and a small dingy over the stern.

On the main deck she was pierced for twelve guns, with two heavy pivot guns amidships.