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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2c53646 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #50134 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/50134) diff --git a/old/50134-0.txt b/old/50134-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index b728f21..0000000 --- a/old/50134-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,4548 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Running the Blockade, by Thomas E. Taylor - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: Running the Blockade - A Personal Narrative of Adventures, Risks, and Escapes - during the American Civil War - -Author: Thomas E. Taylor - -Release Date: October 5, 2015 [EBook #50134] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RUNNING THE BLOCKADE *** - - - - -Produced by readbueno and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - - - RUNNING THE BLOCKADE - - -[Illustration: BURNING OF THE _NIGHT HAWK_. _Frontispiece._] - - - - - RUNNING THE BLOCKADE - - - A PERSONAL NARRATIVE OF - ADVENTURES, RISKS, AND - ESCAPES DURING THE - AMERICAN CIVIL WAR - - By THOMAS E. TAYLOR - - - WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY JULIAN CORBETT - MAPS AND ILLUSTRATIONS - - LONDON - JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET - - 1896 - - - - - INTRODUCTION - - -A German admiral has remarked that the most valuable naval history lies -in the despatches and logs of naval officers. Our own Navy Record -Society by the line it has taken thoroughly endorses this view, and has -committed itself to the teaching of naval history from the mouths of the -men who made it. - -Mr. Taylor's work then must not be taken as a mere record of personal -adventure, however absorbing it be found from this point of view. As a -picture of exciting escapes, of coolness and resource at moments of -acute danger, of well-calculated risks, boldly accepted and obstinately -carried through, it has few rivals in recent sea-story: but its deeper -value does not lie here. Over and above its romantic interest it will be -recognised by students of the naval art as a real and solid contribution -to history; for it presents to us from the pen of a principal actor the -most complete account we have of a great blockade in the days of steam. - -The important part that blockade plays in naval warfare is a thing -hardly recognised outside professional ranks. For the general reader, -the grand manœuvres of a great fleet in chase of the enemy and the -stirring hours of some decisive action throw into oblivion the tedious -months of dull, anxious, and exhausting work with which by far the -greater part of the war is taken up. Yet it is hardly too much to say -that during the most glorious period of our maritime history nine-tenths -of the energies of our admirals were devoted to blockade. In the future -it is possible that it will take even a higher place. Should England -become engaged with a first-rate foreign power, single-handed, it is a -recognised fact amongst naval strategists that in a week she could close -every one of her enemy's ports and have a fleet free to reduce at its -leisure everything he held beyond the seas. With almost any two Powers -against her it is probable she could do as much: and it is the -recognition of this power abroad which gives England, in spite of her -military weakness, so commanding a position in Europe. - -The importance then of studying every scrap of information on the -subject in order to perfect our knowledge of the art of blockade cannot -be exaggerated, and Mr. Taylor's simple and straightforward record of -his experiences may claim to be perhaps the fullest contribution to the -subject that as yet exists. Experiences of individual captains we have -had, and, read with the present work, they are of high value: but Mr. -Taylor has something more to tell. Not only did he run the blockade -personally a greater number of times than any one else, but, boy as he -was at the time, he was the chief organiser of a great and systematised -attack on the Northern blockade, such as the world had never seen -before. His operations may be said to have opened a new era in the -history of blockade, and one which bids fair to have far-reaching -consequences for every maritime Power. - -To make clear his position and its dangers and difficulties a word must -be said on the general subject of blockade. Blockade, it must be clearly -borne in mind, is of two kinds, the one military, the other commercial. -The first concerns the belligerents alone, and consists in one of them, -who has obtained a working command of the sea, imprisoning the other's -war fleets in their own ports. It was this form of blockade which -absorbed by far the greatest part of our naval activity during the great -French wars. During the American Civil War it was considerably -practised, and from American sources may be studied in complete detail -the efforts of the Confederate war-ships to escape the vigilance of -Federal blockading squadrons. The second form, or commercial blockade, -is one that principally concerns neutrals, and it was of course to this -form alone that Mr. Taylor's operations extended. - -The International Law which regulates its conditions as between neutrals -and belligerents is shortly this. A belligerent, if strong enough at sea -to close one or more ports of his enemy, may give notice to Neutral -Powers that such port or ports are blockaded, and thereafter if any -neutral vessel attempts to enter or leave them, the belligerent may -treat it as an enemy, and may destroy or capture and condemn it as an -ordinary prize. To run a blockade then is an operation attended with all -the risks of war. Indeed a blockade-runner is in an even worse position -than a hostile belligerent; for not being a combatant he may not resist -the efforts of the blockaders to destroy or capture him. He is entitled -to escape if he can, but a single shot or blow in his own defence makes -him a pirate, and a belligerent capturing him may treat him as such. But -it must always be remembered that for a belligerent to be entitled to -exercise these high prerogatives he must first have constituted a real -and effective blockade. A mere declaration that a port is closed is not -enough. It must be so closely watched and invested with an adequate -naval force that no neutral can leave or enter without running present -danger of being sunk or captured. - -Analogous to the rights arising out of an effective blockade, and always -to be clearly distinguished from them, is the right of a belligerent to -treat as an enemy a neutral vessel carrying contraband of war to his -enemy's ports, and this right he may always exercise, whether the ports -in question be effectively blockaded or not. - -It was this consideration, no doubt, combined with a desire to preserve -a strict neutrality and to see the South treated as belligerents and not -as mere insurgents, that induced the English Government to recognise the -Federal blockade as soon as it was declared. At the opening of the war -the Federal Government, in defiance of International Law, declared the -whole Southern seaboard under blockade. It was a blockade they were then -wholly unable to enforce or even to pretend to enforce, but as most of -our blockade-runners carried contraband of war, there was very little to -be gained by disputing the Federal pretensions. Some injustice, no -doubt, was thus done to the South. But it was more than counterbalanced -by the advantage they gained in that the recognition of the blockade -made them indisputably belligerents. For these reasons our Government -thought it wise to waive its neutral rights and submit to a paper -blockade, which did not exist. As the Northern power increased at sea -the blockade became more and more effective, and by the time Mr. Taylor -had got fully to work it may be said to have been something more than a -pretence. Finally it became very strict and thoroughly effective, and it -is with this instructive period that his reminiscences are chiefly -concerned. - -This declaration of a blockade that could not be enforced at the time -was not the only extension of belligerent rights which the Federal -Government claimed and exercised in respect of blockade. As Mr. Taylor -fully explains, they did not confine their operations against -blockade-runners to the established practice of watching the closed -ports. Not only did they cruise for offenders on the high seas, but they -intercepted them close to their points of departure, thousands of miles -from the blockaded ports. Nay, they even went so far as to attempt to -blockade the neutral ports which the offending vessels were using as -bases of operations. To most of these claims no objection was made, and -there is no doubt that in any future war similar operations will be -recognised without question, as within belligerent rights. - -In previous wars a belligerent declaring a blockade had to concern -himself with little more than turning back ordinary merchantmen who had -not received notice of the blockade, or cutting off small fry of the -smuggling type that slipped over from adjacent coasts to take their -chance of getting in. Such a thing as neutral merchants establishing -public companies to build fleets of specially designed vessels for the -avowed purpose of breaking a blockade which was thoroughly effective -against ordinary types of merchantmen, was a thing unknown to -International Law. And further, when these merchants stretched their -rights as neutrals so far as to establish regular bases almost in the -enemy's waters from which to conduct their revolutionary operations, it -was obvious that some latitude must be granted to the blockading power. -No objection, therefore, was ever raised to his cutting off vessels -avowedly constructed for blockade-running at any point he chose; but -when he attempted to blockade neutral ports from which they were acting, -England put her foot down and compelled the Federal cruisers to draw -off. In this she was clearly within her rights. But although the Federal -claim to this bold extension of belligerent rights was undoubtedly -illegal, it was not without provocation. It is another law of blockade -that a vessel is not "guilty" and cannot be interfered with unless it is -bound for a blockaded port. The system pursued by Mr. Taylor of -establishing depots or bases on British territory close to American -waters thus greatly increased the difficulties of the cruisers. Goods -destined for the blockaded ports were consigned first to one of these -bases, Bermuda, Havana, or the Bahamas, and on their way could not be -touched by the Northern captains. It was naturally a great temptation to -these officers as they watched the offensive traffic pouring into the -runner's bases to see that it did not get out. It is even conceivable -that England might have been induced to wink at their proceedings. But -it so happened that the first and only attempt to blockade -blockade-runners in a British port was made by the very officer who was -the culprit in the _Trent_ affair, and that too while we were still -unsoothed from his last violation of our neutrality. The British -Government, therefore, happened to be in a very irritable mood with the -North, and though they had hitherto been inexhaustible in their sympathy -with the Federal belligerent pretensions, they now peremptorily stopped -their complacency and the North had to submit. - -Whether the claim made tentatively by the Northern Government is -destined to become recognised by International Law is by no means clear. -In the case in question the neutral was too powerful to be resisted. -Shortly after, however, the same scheme was actually put in operation by -one of the most famous of Mr. Taylor's colleagues, the "notorious -Captain Roberts," the arch-blockade runner and a British naval officer. -When the American war closed, the Turkish Government had been trying for -months to suppress an insurrection in Crete by blockading the island on -the old lines. Hobart (whose _nom de guerre_ as a blockade-runner was -"Roberts"), profiting by his recent experience, undertook to suppress it -in a week, and his offer was accepted. The insurgents were living -entirely on supplies sent them from Greece, and Hobart having been -placed in command of the blockading squadron proceeded at once to -blockade the Greek vessels in their own ports, and the Cretans were -immediately starved into surrender. - -This and every other indication show a tendency for the belligerent -rights of blockade to increase at the expense of the neutral. If this be -so, then blockade must become a more and more effective naval operation, -and hence the importance of its study down to the minutest particulars -from which any forecast of the future may be obtained. - -For the non-professional reader one of the chief points of technical -interest in Mr. Taylor's book will be the light it throws on a great -national question, which periodically comes out in moments of alarm. It -is now a common subject for paragraphists to dilate upon how, if England -lost command of the sea, her food supply would be cut off in a week (or -some other minute period) and herself be brought to the mercy of her -enemy. However useful such prognostications may be for stimulating an -interest in the navy, they are full of fallacies and even dangerous as -leading to demands for naval armaments so extravagant as to cause the -taxpayer to turn his back on the navy altogether, and button his pockets -in sheer disgust. To begin with, if England lost the command of the sea, -it does not follow that any one else would obtain it, a fact too often -lost sight of in naval discussion. The thing does not hang in a simple -dilemma. You cannot say, either England has the command or her enemy has -it. There is still the middle hypothesis, that neither has it. And this -in all reasonable probability is the worst that could suddenly befall -us. The destruction of England's command of the sea is no child's play, -and even if three Powers together succeeded in doing it, it could only -be at such a sacrifice to themselves as would leave the seas practically -free to the operations of neutrals. Mr. Taylor's experiences show -clearly how surprisingly easy it was for bold and expert captains with -adequate vessels to run the most strict and effective blockades. Were -England to become engaged in a great war, the first step would be for -numbers of her mercantile marine to pass to neutral flags, and all these -vessels with their crews would be ready-made blockade-runners the moment -there was a call for them. And even assuming that by some extraordinary -chance the British fleet for a time was suppressed with little or no -damage to the enemy, the precedents of the American war go to show that -the navies of three Powers absolutely intact could hardly avail to -maintain a blockade of such a coast-line as ours. - -The conditions of blockade, it is true, have changed, but the balance -remains much the same. Mr. Taylor considers that search-lights, for -instance, tell quite as much for one side as the other. Increased speed -is at least as favourable for running as it is for blockading. Torpedo -boats seem hardly to affect the balance at all. For while they render -the position of a blockading squadron less secure than formerly, they on -the other hand furnish it with ideal patrols. Quick-firing guns are all -in favour of the blockader, but on the other hand, long-range guns of -position are all against him, compelling him to keep further to sea and -so to cover more ground. The extreme importance of invisibility too, on -which Mr. Taylor insists, shows how great an advantage a runner, able to -procure good smokeless coal, would have over a force blockading the -English coast which could not obtain it. On the whole we may safely -conclude that a commercial blockade is certainly no easier than it was -in the sixties. Many indications from the following pages show how -difficult it is to maintain the blockade even of half a dozen ports, if -you are unable to intercept the regular runners at their points of -departure. This a force without undisputed mastery of the sea could -never effect to a sufficient extent. The lesson then that the following -pages most clearly teaches is, that the danger of the British Isles -being blockaded by any conceivable combination of hostile Powers, so as -to reduce her even approximately near starvation, may be dismissed as -outside the region of practical strategy; and in the next place they -show us the vast importance of maintaining in our navy an adequate force -of vessels of a type calculated to render a commercial blockade really -effective. What Mr. Taylor was able to do with one little steamer to -prolong Lee's resistance is a lesson to be remembered beside Dundonald's -operations on the coast of Spain. - -Such are a few of the considerations which Mr. Taylor's book suggests. -Different men will draw different lessons from the facts it presents, -but its value as the work of a man of unequalled experience in the -working of a great blockade will be admitted by all: and whatever weight -may be attached to the author's conclusions from his practical -experience, the little work will amply justify its existence if it in -any way stimulates interest in the practical side of a subject, which -naval writers seem inclined to leave too much in the hands of -International lawyers. - - JULIAN CORBETT. - -_May 1896._ - - - - - CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER I PAGE - HOW I BEGAN 1 - CHAPTER II - MY FIRST ATTEMPT ON THE _DESPATCH_ 16 - CHAPTER III - THE _BANSHEE NO. 1_ 33 - CHAPTER IV - THE _BANSHEE'S_ FIRST RUN IN 44 - CHAPTER V - FORT FISHER AND WILMINGTON 55 - CHAPTER VI - THE REST OF THE _BANSHEE NO. 1.'S_ CAREER 70 - CHAPTER VII - LIFE AT NASSAU 86 - CHAPTER VIII - OUR FLEET 101 - CHAPTER IX - BERMUDA 115 - CHAPTER X - EXPERIENCES ASHORE IN DIXIE'S LAND 131 - CHAPTER XI - HAVANA AND GALVESTON 145 - CHAPTER XII - BLOCKADES OF THE PAST AND THE FUTURE 166 - INDEX 177 - - - - - ILLUSTRATIONS, MAPS, ETC. - - - BURNING OF THE _NIGHT HAWK_ _Frontispiece_ iv - - CHART OF WILMINGTON HARBOUR AND APPROACHES _Page_ 45 - - PORTRAIT OF COLONEL LAMB _To face page_ 56 - - _BANSHEE_ CHASED BY _JAMES ADGER_ _To face page_ 78 - - _WILL-O'-THE-WISP'S_ DASH FOR WILMINGTON _To face page_ 106 - - _BANSHEE NO. 2_ RUNNING THE GAUNTLET OF THE - GALVESTON BLOCKADING SQUADRON IN DAYLIGHT _To face page_ 156 - - MAP OF THE EAST COAST OF NORTH AMERICA _At - end_ - - - - - CHAPTER I - - HOW I BEGAN - - Feeling in Liverpool—Declaration of blockade—Its immediate - result—Effect on trade in Liverpool—The theory of - blockades—Attitude of the Federal States—Seaboard of the - Seceding States—The Federal Navy—Energy of the Northern - States—Additions to the Federal Fleet—Position of the - Southerners at sea—Want of building yards and material—Commerce - destroyers—The _Merrimac_ and the _Monitor_—The _Alabama_ - and her consorts—Attitude of Great Britain—A royal - proclamation—Preparation for blockade-running—Amateurish - efforts—Daring attempts—The _Trent_ affair—Launched - as a blockade-runner. - - -At the outbreak of the great American Civil War I was serving as -assistant to a firm of Liverpool merchants trading chiefly with India -and the United States. There was little in my life at the outset to -foretell the full taste of danger, excitement, and adventure which it -was my fortune so early to enjoy. I had nothing to hope for beyond the -usual life of office routine and a dim chance of a partnership abroad in -the future. - -Young as I was, my interest in the coming struggle was deeply aroused. -From the position I occupied its significance was brought home to me -with the absorbing interest of a factor in my career. My own fortunes -and those of my nearest friends seemed at their outset to be bound up in -a piece of history that promised to leave its mark upon the world. -Nowhere indeed out of America was the secession of the Southern States -more keenly watched or canvassed than in Liverpool offices and upon the -Exchange of the city, which American trade had begotten and nursed; and -the particular aspect of the impending war was most calculated to fill -the imagination of youngsters like myself, who were awakening from the -dreams of boyhood to the excitements of real life. - -It will be remembered that, as soon as war was seen to be inevitable, -President Lincoln sanctioned the heroic measure of attempting to choke -secession by closing every orifice through which supplies could be -drawn, and in the middle of April 1861 rebellion was turned into civil -war by his declaring the whole of the Southern ports in a state of -blockade. One of the immediate results of this act of President Lincoln -was the prompt acknowledgment of the South as belligerents by England -and France. Yet the Federal States persisted in maintaining that the -Confederates were rebels, and that whosoever ventured to recognise them -as belligerents must be regarded as friends of rebels and no friends of -the North. They ignored the fact that their interference with neutral -trade, by this declaration of blockade, was a virtual concession of -belligerency to the South. A declaration of blockade presupposes a state -of war and not mere rebellion, and the claim by the Federals of a right -to seize neutral vessels attempting to break a blockade was one which -can be exercised only by a belligerent; exercised by any one else it is -mere piracy. - -The effect of the news on the Liverpool Exchange it is needless to -describe. By the scratch of a foreign pen a blow that was without -precedent was struck at the chief trade of the port. So prodigious -indeed was this first act of war that for some time there was a doubt -whether the Neutral Powers would recognise it. Only five years before -the Powers assembled at Paris to wind up the Russian war had by solemn -agreement declared, as the final and universal law of nations, that -blockades to be binding must be effective; that is to say, that all the -ports declared to be blockaded must be actually invested, or at least so -closely watched by a cruising squadron that no ship can attempt to leave -or enter without manifest danger of capture. Now, as the seaboard of the -Seceding States extended from the river Potomac in Virginia, above Cape -Hatteras, down to the Rio Grande (the southern frontier of Texas), the -coast-line which the Federal Government had to watch effectively was -some 3000 miles in length. It was studded, moreover, at wide intervals -with ten or a dozen ports of first-rate importance. - -The total fleet of the United States when the war broke out consisted of -less than 150 vessels, of which fully one-third were quite -unserviceable. About forty had crews; the rest were out of commission, -and of these ten or eleven of the best were lying at the Norfolk Navy -Yard and fell into the hands of the Confederates. From these figures it -will be seen, therefore, how impossible it was at first to maintain the -blockade which the Northerners had declared, and how ineffectual it must -be, seeing the length of coast-line to be watched. - -With their usual energy, however, the Northerners set to work to -increase their fleet; within very few weeks over 150 vessels had been -purchased and equipped for sea, and more than fifty ironclads and -gunboats laid down and rapidly pushed forward towards completion. In -addition to these a large number of river craft were requisitioned and -protected by bullet-proof iron for service on the rivers; but even with -these vigorous measures the blockade was anything but effective during -the first eighteen months or two years of the war. But the Northerners -steadily and by almost superhuman efforts increased their fleet, and at -the beginning of 1865 had so far succeeded that they possessed a fleet -of nearly 700 vessels, of which some 150 were employed upon the blockade -of Wilmington and Charleston alone, and patrolling their adjacent -waters. - -It can easily be imagined, therefore, that attempting to get in and out -of those ports in the latter months of 1864 and the early ones of 1865 -was a very different business from the condition of affairs which -existed earlier in the war. When the above ports fell into the hands of -the Northerners, the blockade, considering the nature of the coast-line -and types of vessels employed as blockaders and runners, was to all -intents and purposes as effective as could be expected; for the -blockading fleet consisted of almost every description of craft, from -the old-fashioned 60-gun frigate to the modern "Ironsides" and -"Monitors," supplemented by dozens of merchant-steamers converted into -gunboats—not very formidable, perhaps, as war-ships, but still dangerous -to blockade-runners, especially when fast. - -The Southerners, on the other hand, were practically without any navy, -with the exception of a few old wooden vessels which they seized at -Norfolk Navy Yard at the outbreak of the war; and, as they were almost -entirely devoid of engineering works, material, or skilled labour, they -could do but little to compete with the North upon the ocean. Their -naval efforts were chiefly in the direction of supplying themselves from -outside sources with commerce destroyers, such as the _Alabama_, -_Florida_, _Shenandoah_, _Georgia_, etc., though from the wretched and -scanty material which they possessed they succeeded in building two or -three formidable ironclads; but their engines and armament were -defective, and their crews unskilled. Notwithstanding these drawbacks, -however, the _Merrimac_, one of the old wooden steamers which they had -seized at Norfolk, and which they had converted into an ironclad by -covering the hull with railway iron, fought a gallant fight in Hampton -Roads with the celebrated _Monitor_, after having destroyed on the -previous day the _Congress_ and _Cumberland_, two large Northern -war-ships. - -Another ironclad was also improvised by the Southerners at Mobile. She -was called the _Tennessee_, and was altogether a more formidable craft -than the _Merrimac_, both as regards armament and size, but like the -_Merrimac_ was terribly defective in engine power. When Farragut -attacked Mobile she did considerable damage to his fleet, and for a time -engaged it single-handed, but at last was forced to haul down her flag. - -The Confederates also built another small ironclad at Wilmington on the -same lines as the _Merrimac_ and _Tennessee_, but unfortunately she ran -ashore on her passage down the river, in order to attack the blockaders -outside, and became a total wreck. In addition to the ships I have -mentioned they possessed the _Sumpter_, _Rappahanock_, _Tallahasse_ -(steamers), and several sailing vessels; but with these vessels they had -no chance against their powerful rivals in actual warfare, although the -_Alabama_ and her consorts swept the mercantile navy of the United -States from the ocean. - -Seeing how inadequate the Federal navy was at the time when the blockade -was declared, there was certainly a strong case for treating President -Lincoln's prohibition as a mere "paper" blockade. This, however, the -British Government did not choose to do. At this time we were -particularly anxious, in view of the coming International Exhibition, to -stand well with all men and to be entangled in no foreign complications. -Within a fortnight, therefore, of the receipt of the news, there came -out a Royal Proclamation enjoining on all loyal subjects of the British -Crown an attitude of strict neutrality, and solemnly admonishing them -under pain of Her Majesty's displeasure to respect the Federal blockade. - -Needless to say, the proclamation awakened no respect whatever for the -blockade. The lecture in the latter part of it was received in the -spirit in which it was issued—as a piece of mere international courtesy; -and those of Her Majesty's loyal subjects who were most affected by the -new situation at once took steps to make the best of it. With due -respect to the pain of Her Majesty's displeasure we all knew that to run -a foreign blockade could never be an offence against the laws of the -realm, nor were we to be persuaded that any number of successful or -unsuccessful attempts to enter the proclaimed ports could ever -constitute a breach of neutrality. Firm after firm, with an entirely -clear conscience, set about endeavouring to recoup itself for the loss -of legitimate trade by the high profits to be made out of successful -evasions of the Federal cruisers; and in Liverpool was awakened a spirit -the like of which had not been known since the palmy days of the slave -trade. - -It was a spirit of adventurous commerce savouring of the good old days -of the French wars, when a lad might any day be called from the office -to take his place on the deck of a privateer, and when daring spirits -were always ready to steal away from a convoy and run the risk of -capture on the chance of getting the cream of the market. The risks a -blockade-runner had to face were much the same, for as no Government -pretends to interfere with its citizens if they choose at their peril to -trade in the face of a blockade, so no protection or redress is given -them if they are caught red-handed. After official notification of -blockade any neutral vessel attempting to leave or enter a blockaded -port forfeits its neutrality and places itself in the position of a -hostile belligerent. The blockading force is entitled to treat such a -ship in all respects as an enemy, and to use any means recognised in -civilised warfare to drive off, capture, or destroy her. A crew so -captured may be treated as prisoners of war, and their vessel carried -into the captor's port, where after condemnation by an Admiralty court -she becomes his prize. Nor is any resistance to capture permitted, and a -single blow or shot in his own defence turns the blockade-runner into a -pirate. - -Such was the exciting prospect our seamen and supercargoes had before -them as they sailed for the Southern ports. At first, of course, the -risk was not thought very great; the Confederate ports were so many and -far between, and the Federal navy so weak and unorganised, that vessels -proceeded very much as if there was no blockade at all. The consequence -was that as early as June 1861, barely two months after the declaration -of the blockade, several English vessels had been seized and condemned. -Almost every week after that brought news of fresh captures; on the -other hand, so many ships succeeded in getting through the widely -scattered cruisers, that the business still went on in the old clumsy -way. We had neither of us learnt our trade then; the Federal captains, -in hopes of fat prizes, cruised without order and chased wide, leaving -ports open for new-comers, while our best idea of minimising risks was -to send out old unseaworthy slugs which we could well afford to lose. - -During the whole of the first year of the war it was in this amateurish -way that things went on. A pretty regular tale of captures came in, and -among the reports the mails brought home began to be whispered stories -of daring attempts, and hair-breadth escapes, that set many a youngster -kicking very impatiently under his desk. There came stories, too, of -exasperated or ill-conditioned Federal captains who had behaved with -unwarrantable bluster or tyranny to captured crews, and these began to -awaken in mercantile circles a partisan leaning towards the South, which -certainly did not exist at the beginning of the war. Some of us, it must -be confessed, were growing oblivious of our duty as loyal subjects and -of the solemn admonitions of the proclamation of neutrality, and for not -a few the profit of making a successful run began to be seasoned with -the pleasure of doing a good turn to the South. It is all bygone now; -runners can laugh over the rough knocks they sometimes got, and -blockaders at the weary dance they were led. But in those days the ill -feeling was very strong, and in the midst of all the fermenting -irritation dropped the grating surprise of the _Trent_ affair. - -Captain Wilkes, a Federal naval officer commanding the West India -station and engaged in blockade duties, took upon himself, with more -zeal than law, to board the _Trent_, a British mail steamer, on the high -seas, and seize from its deck two Confederate diplomatic agents who were -passengers from Havana, accredited respectively to the French and the -British Governments. There is no doubt that the English nation was -prepared to make any sacrifice to resent this outrage, and feeling ran -very deep while we waited for the answer to our demands for redress. It -cannot be denied that people on the other side made themselves a little -ridiculous and irritating over our perfectly reasonable request for the -surrender of the prisoners. Captain Wilkes was the hero of the hour, and -blustering exultation over England the tune of the street. But in the -White House heads were cooler, and in due course full reparation was -made. Still the "spoiled child of diplomacy" was not made to -apologise—she barely expressed regret, and her omission of this -international courtesy, combined with the extravagances of her press, -confirmed in many Englishmen their inchoate partisanship for the South. - -Such was the state of things when, one day early in the year 1862, one -of the partners in the house where I was serving called me into his -room. After telling me how he and a few friends had purchased a steamer -to have a try at the blockade, he asked me if I would care to go as -supercargo? - -The answer was not doubtful. It was a stroke of luck far better than I -had any right to expect at my age (for I was but twenty-one), and -needless to say I embraced my fortune with alacrity. - -"By all means," said I, "if I am not too young." - -My chief was good enough to say that he thought I was _not_ too young, -and so I was fairly launched in my career as a blockade-runner. - - - - - CHAPTER II - - MY FIRST ATTEMPT ON THE _DESPATCH_ - - The _Despatch_—A blockade-runner's cargo—The start for the - West Indies—Put back to Queenstown—A terrific gale—Arrival at - Nassau—The dangers of somnambulism—A haunt for buccaneers—A - sleepy settlement—Neutral territory—Southern firms running - the blockade—Nassau as a basis of operations—The _Despatch_ - condemned—Efforts to meet a more stringent blockade—"No cure - no pay"—Yellow fever—Seizure of the _Despatch_—A scheme - for her rescue—Her release. - - -Were it only for the glimpse it gives of the state of the mercantile -marine thirty years ago, my first voyage would be worth relating. Those -who do not know how things were before the Plimsoll Act had made a -revolution in Merchant Shipping would hardly believe what a man even in -my position was expected to undergo without complaint. - -The steamer that had been purchased as a blockade-runner, like most -others at this time, was quite unfit for the purpose. To explain that -she was a second-hand Irish cattle boat will convey to those who have -voyaged in St. George's Channel a fair idea of what she was. Those who -have not must understand that the average quality and condition of such -craft are very low, and the _Despatch_ was not above the average. Her -boilers were nearly worn out; her engines had been sadly neglected; and -added to this, she drew far too much water for the hazardous entrances -of the blockaded ports. But so indifferent were the ships at this time -composing the blockading squadrons, so insufficient their numbers, and -so inefficient their crews, that during the first year small sailing -vessels of light draught and ordinary trading steamers were employed for -the purpose of running the blockade. - -As has been shown, anything was thought good enough for a -blockade-runner then, and no time was lost in getting a cargo on board -the _Despatch_. In choosing this there was not much difficulty. In -January a vessel flying the Confederate colours had put into Liverpool; -she had run the blockade out and was thus able to bring us, not only the -latest news of the Federal fleet, but also full information of the kind -of cargo that would be most welcome in the Southern ports. - -The chief requirements were war materials of every sort, cloth for -uniforms, buttons, thread, boots, stockings, and all clothing, -medicines, salt, boiler-iron, steel, copper, zinc, and chemicals. As it -did not pay merchants to ship heavy goods, the charge for freight per -ton at Nassau being £80 to £100 in gold, a great portion of the cargo -generally consisted of light goods, such as silks, laces, linens, -quinine, etc., on which immense profits were made. At this time there -were no mills, and practically no manufactories in the Confederate -States, so their means of production were _nil_. With the progress of -the war their need of war material increased so sorely that in 1864 the -Confederate Government limited the freight-room on private account, and -prohibited the importation of luxuries on the ground that if allowed to -come in and be purchased the resources of the country would thereby be -absorbed. - -As soon as her lading was complete a start was made. And what a start it -was! It almost takes one's breath away in these be-legislated days to -think what the _Despatch_ must have looked like as she dropped down the -Mersey. Her owners had taken advantage of their timely information to -load her down, as low as she would float, with a cargo consisting of -ponderous cases and barrels of war material as well as light goods; her -deck was piled as high as the rail with coal, which had to be taken for -the voyage to Nassau, so as to avoid calling at any intermediate port; -and she steamed out to brave the Atlantic with barely one foot of -freeboard to her credit. - -Fortunately at the outset the weather kept fair, or my career must have -had a very premature end; but thanks to an unusually fine February we -wallowed along pretty comfortably, till we had made some 400 miles to -the south-west of Ireland. Here, however, through the carelessness of -the engineers, the water was allowed to get so low in the boilers that -the crowns to the furnaces of one of them were "brought down." This -means that only by a miracle was an explosion escaped, and that the -_Despatch_ was entirely incapacitated from proceeding on her voyage. -There was nothing to do but to put back for repairs, under one boiler, -and we laid her head for Queenstown, thanking our stars it was no worse. - -It was three weeks before we could get to sea again, and then it was -only to find ourselves once more on the brink of destruction. Before we -had passed the Azores we came in for a terrific gale, which our -overladen vessel was in no condition to meet; she speedily sprang a -leak, so serious that in a very short time four of the eight furnaces -were extinguished and the firemen were toiling at the rest up to their -knees in water. For hours we looked for her to founder at any moment, as -the gray breakers came rolling upon us, but somehow we managed to keep -her afloat, and in due course were ploughing through the sunny waters of -New Providence, and came to rest in the pretty harbour of Nassau. - -In those days I was a confirmed somnambulist, and one stormy night -considerably astonished the officer of the watch by suddenly appearing -on the bridge at midnight in bare feet and sleeping attire. Gripping him -by the arm I yelled, "For God's sake respect the spars," and turning on -my heel returned to my cabin along the slippery deck, with the steamer -pitching and rolling in half a gale of wind. Of course the man thought I -was mad, but was too astonished to seize me; perhaps it was fortunate he -did not do so, as to have been suddenly awakened in such a situation -might have been anything but pleasant. I have for many years given up -this dangerous habit. My last escapade occurred a long time ago, when -one afternoon on board a P. & O. steamer, while taking a siesta, I -suddenly jumped through the upper half door of my deck cabin and -appeared in very light attire, to the astonished gaze of some fifty -passengers who were on the quarter-deck. Fortunately a friend who was -travelling with me managed to clasp me round the waist before I could -jump overboard, and conducted me to my cabin none the worse, except for -a skinned nose and barked shins. My fellow-passengers, however, were -evidently suspicious regarding my condition of mind, and looked very -much askance when I appeared at dinner, thinking no doubt that I was a -lunatic and my friend my keeper. - -If that voyage had been almost enough to extinguish all the ardour I had -for the life before me, Nassau was enough to set it well aflame again. -The very thought of the place and of the exciting life there in those -days, through the brief fever of its prosperity, sets my fancy tingling -even now. - -Those few short years of extravagant importance—so sudden, so fitful, so -completely passed away—are like a dream, and it seems almost impossible -to revive a picture of what Nassau was when it found itself the base of -operations against the great blockade. For centuries the little town had -slumbered in complete obscurity. Depopulated and abandoned in the old -days by the Spaniards, it had been occupied in Stuart times by -Englishmen, and became a haunt of buccaneers. Then followed a century or -so when it was a counter for diplomatists, and buccaneers settled down -into wreckers, scraping together hard-earned living from the hurricanes' -leavings, and filling up the dull months between the stormy seasons with -a little fruit raising and sponge fishing. Thus ingloriously had it -faded into the obscurest of colonial capitals, with a population of some -3000 or 4000 souls. There lived and ruled the Governor of the Bahamas, -and there lived the Chief Justice and the Bishop; these with their -modest following, and the officers of a West India regiment and a few of -the leading merchants and their families, made up almost all there was -of society! Little more eventful ever broke the monotony of their feuds -and friendships than the visit of one of the ships forming the West -Indian squadron. Their Lilliputian politics went on from year to year, -undisturbed and uncared for; there was nothing to mark their place in -the world but a dusty pigeon-hole somewhere in the Colonial Office, -which was filled, and emptied, and filled again. Every one was poor and -every one lazily hopeless of any further development; a few schooners -that came and went at infrequent intervals sufficed for all the trade -there was, and the whole air of the sleepy settlement had been one of -indolent acquiescence in its own obscurity. - -Then past all expectations came the war, and gold poured into its -astonished lap. When first I saw the low line of houses nestling in the -tropical vegetation of their gardens a change had already taken place. -The blockade had been on foot a bare year, but even then the quiet -little port had asserted its new importance and was overflowing with the -turmoil of life. Many influential firms connected with the Southern -States, and also English ones, had established agencies there, and -almost every day steamers managed by those agents left the harbour to -try their luck at evading the blockade or arrived with cargoes of cotton -from the beleagured ports. Of course, seeing that Nassau was only some -560 miles from Charleston and 640 from Wilmington, and that, moreover, -the chain of the Bahama islets extended some hundred miles in the -direction of those ports, thus providing the extra protection of neutral -territory for that distance, Nassau was _par excellence_ the base for -approaching the blockaded Atlantic ports of the South. Bermuda was its -rival, but only in a lesser degree, as it was further off, and its -conveniences as regards communication and accommodation were less. It is -some 690 miles distant from Wilmington, the course being somewhat to the -northward of west, and in the autumn especially it was seldom possible -to get over without encountering a gale of wind. The one thing necessary -for the blockading vessels being speed, their hulls were of the lightest -description; this, coupled with the fact that they were always loaded -down deep with coal, made a gale of wind an even worse enemy to -encounter than a Federal cruiser. - -Havana was the best base for the Gulf ports, but as New Orleans was -captured early on in the war, Galveston and Mobile were the only two -blockaded ports that could be approached from it; and seeing the -difficulty there was in procuring cotton at those places and of -disposing of inward cargoes, the trade done with them was a flea-bite -compared with that from Charleston and Wilmington. At one time the trade -of these two ports assumed very large proportions; the number of vessels -employed in it was astonishing, and no sooner was one sunk, stranded, -burnt, or captured than two more seemed to take her place. - -Of Southern firms Messrs. Fraser, Trenholm, and Co. did the largest -business, as they were not only engaged largely on their own account in -blockade-running enterprises, but they were also agents for the Southern -States Government. Their representative in Nassau, Mr. J. B. Lafitte, a -charming man in every respect, occupied a most prominent position,—in -fact more prominent than that of the Governor himself, and certainly he -was remunerated better. - -After Fraser, Trenholm, and Co. came the English firm of Alex. Collie -and Co., at that time one of great repute, represented by my friend L. -G. Watson, and they from time to time were possessed of a large fleet of -runners commanded mostly by naval officers. After them came the house I -represented, which from first to last owned some fifteen steamers; and -after them a number of small firms, owning perhaps one, possibly two, -boats apiece, so that in the aggregate the number of boats and the -capital employed was enormous. - -So nicely has Nature dispersed the Bahamas that they afforded neutral -water to within fifty miles of the American coast, and no sooner was the -blockade declared than the advantages of Nassau as a basis of operations -were recognised and embraced. The harbour was alive with shipping, the -quays were piled with cotton, the streets were thronged with busy life. -So far grown and established indeed did I find the business of -blockade-running, that I was seized with a sense of being late in the -field and with a desire to rush in and reclaim lost time. Fortunately -there was little to delay us, so, full of impatience and excitement, we -set about preparing for a run. Our supplies were ready, and in the -harbour lay a barque which had been sent out to act as my coal -store-ship, and afterwards she was to carry home any cotton we should -succeed in getting out. Nothing seemed wanting for a start, but I was -doomed to disappointment. No sooner did I begin to pick up the lore of -the place than the unpleasant truth came out. - -Even in the early days there were men whose tales of successful trips -gave them a reputation as "blockade experts," and every one of them -condemned the _Despatch_ as wholly unfit for the work. The blockade was -already gaining system and coherence; the Northerners, no longer content -with simply blockading the Confederate ports, had established a chain of -powerful cruisers which patrolled the seas from the American coast to -the very entrance of Nassau harbour. The old _Despatch_ was much too -slow to stand a ghost of a chance of escaping them, moreover she drew so -much water that the Charleston bar was the only one she could hope to -get over, and it was now so strictly watched that a craft so unhandy was -certain to be captured in the attempt. - -After all I had gone through it was a bitter pill to swallow, but it was -impossible for a man entirely without experience, as I was then, to -ignore the exasperating unanimity of the experts; therefore after -consultation with the local agent of my firm I resolved to sell my -cargoes on the spot and get both vessels home to the best advantage. - -Still I was not without consolation. Although within a year of the -beginning of the blockade the North, in pursuit of a steady policy, had -secured various bases on the blockaded coast for the use of their -squadrons, which were rapidly being augmented by improved types of -vessels, and had thereby reduced considerably the number of points to be -watched, and though the business of blockade-running was now becoming -risky, no time was lost in endeavouring to meet the new demands on our -energy and skill. If the Federals were learning the business, so were -we. It was clear that the blockade-runners must not only be increased in -numbers but must be improved in type. The day of sailing vessels and -ordinary trading steamers was over; accordingly steamers of great speed -were ordered to be built expressly for the service. - -I knew that at home one of the first vessels specially built for -blockade-running had been laid down and was rapidly being completed, -also that she was to be placed under my charge as soon as ready. -Accordingly, towards the end of the year, after making my preliminary -arrangements, I went home full of hope, although sadly impatient at the -year's delay caused by all the mistakes and disasters. - -Before getting there, however, I had an anxious time to pass through; it -was necessary to provide some employment for the _Despatch_ and her -consort the barque _Astoria_, and as no direct freight could be obtained -for either I had to cast about for intermediate work for them. The -sailing vessel I despatched to New York, and in an evil moment I made a -contract, on the "no cure no pay" principle, for the _Despatch_ to tow a -disabled steamer to the same port, arranging to go myself in the mail -steamer so as to meet both ships there. - -After I had completed my Nassau business I did so, and on my arrival at -New York I was disgusted to find both vessels in quarantine with yellow -fever on board; also that the _Despatch_ had dropped her tow off -Port-Royal in a gale of wind and come on without her. - -This was a pretty mess for a youngster to be in, in a strange port like -New York, where everything connected with Nassau was looked upon with -suspicion, and the fear of yellow fever was rampant. It was my first -intimate acquaintance with the disease, but, fortunately, the cooler -climate in time worked its own cure, and, after encountering innumerable -quarantine difficulties, both vessels were given pratique, but not -before several deaths had occurred. - -In the interim the _Despatch_ was seized for $30,000 at the suit of the -owners of the steamer which she had attempted to tow, as damages for -letting her go; and she was only released from quarantine to find -herself in the clutches of the Marshal of the port. As I had no means -for providing the required security, the captain and I formed rather a -mad scheme to rescue her from his clutches. The captain was to get her -under weigh quietly, taking the Marshal's officer with him, while I -remained behind to lull suspicion. Early one misty morning he -accomplished this successfully and began to steam slowly down the Bay, -but the revenue cutter lying close alongside gave the alarm, and the -forts opened fire at once. For a time he held on, and was nearly out of -range when the pilot, fearing, I presume, for his share in the -transaction, declined to go further, and there was nothing for it but -ignominiously to return. Of course all this made my position worse, but, -to make a long story short, a kind friend, a prominent New York banker, -went bail for me, and the _Despatch_ was released and loaded for home. -Finally I compromised the case for about $2000. The barque I sent on to -St. John, and, following her myself by steamer, I chartered her to carry -home a cargo of timber. - - - - - CHAPTER III - - THE _BANSHEE_ NO. 1 - - A landmark in marine architecture—The lines of the _Banshee_—Her - crew—Serious defects—Loss of time—Driven back off the - Fastnet—Arrival at Madeira—Northerners and the duties of - neutrals—Southern sympathies—Federal cruisers—Nearing the - Bahamas—Admiral Wilkes—The _Banshee_ runs into - Nassau—Preparing for business—A daring and successful - commander—Engineer Erskine—Tom Burroughs. - - -After my disappointment it will easily be imagined how anxious I was to -know how my new ship was progressing. On reaching Liverpool my first -care was to visit the yard where she was being built. To my great -delight I found her almost completed, and a marvel of shipbuilding as it -seemed to us then. For the _Banshee_, as she was called, may claim to be -a landmark not only in the development of blockade but also of marine -architecture. With the exception of a boat built for Livingstone of -African fame, she was, I believe, the first steel ship ever laid down. -The new blockade-runner was a paddle boat, built of steel, on -extraordinarily fine lines, 214 feet long and 20 feet beam, and drew -only 8 feet of water. Her masts were mere poles without yards, and with -the least possible rigging. In order to attain greater speed in a -sea-way she was built with a turtle-back deck forward. She was of 217 -tons net register, and had an anticipated sea speed of eleven knots, -with a coal consumption of thirty tons a day. Her crew, which included -three engineers and twelve firemen, consisted of thirty-six hands all -told. - -Steel ship-building was then in its infancy, and the _Banshee_ was the -first of a fleet that was soon to become famous. There were several -similar steamers already in hand, and although no one could tell how -they would behave when exposed to the great seas of the Atlantic, the -best results were anticipated from the strength and lightness of their -materials. They were expected to develop a buoyancy beyond everything -that had yet been seen, and American naval officers awaited their -arrival on the scene of activity with an interest as great as ours. - -The _Banshee_ was ready for sea early in 1863, and I had the -satisfaction of finding myself steaming down the Mersey in the _first_ -steel vessel that ever crossed the Atlantic. - -Like most first attempts, however, she was far from a success, and by -the time we reached Queenstown she had betrayed serious defects. To -begin with, the speed she developed was extremely disappointing. With -the idea of protecting her boilers from shot, they had been constructed -so low that they had not sufficient steam space, and, worse than this, -the plates of which she was built, being only an 1/8 and 3/16 of an inch -thick, she proved so weak that her decks leaked like a sieve. It was -found absolutely necessary to put into Queenstown and make such -alterations as were possible. Thus three more weeks were lost, and when -at last we were able to put out again it was only to be driven back off -the Fastnet by a south-westerly gale, which swept the _Banshee_ clean -from stem to stern of everything on deck, filled her fore stoke-hole, -and compelled us to return for fresh repairs. Considering how frail the -vessel was, the wonder is, not that the _Banshee_ was driven back, but -that she ever got across the Atlantic at all. Still her next start was -successful, and reaching Madeira without adventure, excepting a close -shave from being run down in the Bay of Biscay by a French barque, she -began her real career as a blockade-runner. - -For even here danger began. At this time a great deal of bad blood was -caused by the way in which the Northerners in their efforts to enforce a -blockade were extending the doctrine of the operations permissible to -belligerents. But there is no doubt now that they were perfectly right. -True, the proposition that a belligerent might seize a neutral ship for -attempted breach of blockade thousands of miles away from the blockaded -coast was one that would have been condemned by the old school of -International lawyers as nothing less than monstrous, and by none more -energetically than the great publicists who have so richly adorned the -American bench. - -So far were such doctrines from being recognised, that it was generally -held that a vessel making a long ocean voyage might even call at a -blockaded port to inquire if the blockade was still existent, and, no -matter how suspicious her intentions, she was entitled to a warning -before being captured. But it must be remembered that those were the -days of sailing ships, which might have been without any news of passing -events for months. No blockade of any importance had yet been subjected -to the new conditions of steam navigation, and it was unreasonable to -expect that the blockaders would hold themselves bound by rules which -never contemplated the existing state of things. If the Americans were -stretching the theory of blockade, it was only because we were extending -its practice. It was not to be argued that, if we were building a whole -fleet of steamers for the express purpose of defying their cruisers, -they were not justified in trying to intercept them at any point they -chose. From the very outset the voyages of these vessels showed them to -be guilty, and the most barefaced advocate could hardly have maintained -without shame that they were protected by their ostensibly neutral -destination, when that destination was a notorious nest of offence like -Nassau. - -Still the new methods were none the less galling to the susceptibilities -of British merchants, who of all men claimed to go and come on the high -seas as they pleased, and every day those engaged in the service became -more pronounced in their Southern sympathies, and louder in their -denunciations of the Northerner's high-handed ways. - -In order to economise coal the _Banshee_ was taking the usual course -adopted by sailing vessels. This was the ordinary practice of runners, -and as the Federals grew bolder, stronger, and more exasperated, they -stretched their patrolling cruisers further and further across the -Atlantic, till, a few weeks after the _Banshee_ left Madeira, a Federal -ship of war was actually lying in wait for one of the new runners at the -mouth of Funchal Bay! The moment the British vessel put to sea the -American opened fire upon her as mercilessly as though she were coming -out of Charleston or Wilmington instead of out of a neutral port, and -nothing but superior speed and clever handling saved her from -destruction within sight and sound of neutral territory. - -The _Banshee_ having been earlier in the field was more fortunate, but -the voyage was none the less exciting as she neared the Bahamas. The -neighbouring seas were alive with cruisers who, regarding everything -bound for Nassau as _primâ facie_ guilty of an intention to break the -blockade, seized any vessel they had a mind to on the chance of getting -her condemned in the United States Courts. Indeed, the principal centres -of blockade-running were almost as closely invested as the ports of the -Confederate States, and only a few months before the notorious Captain -Wilkes (now promoted to the rank of Admiral for his popular but -unwarrantable conduct in the _Trent_ affair) had been further -distinguishing himself by literally blockading Bermuda with the squadron -under his command. - -Although from first to last the British Government showed nothing but -sympathy with the Northern States in the difficult task of their -blockade, and although they never once complained of a decision of the -American Courts, or in any way countenanced the runners, this was going -a little too far. A protest was unavoidable, and considering the -antecedents of Admiral Wilkes the Federal Government could hardly -complain if two British war-ships were ordered to watch the over-zealous -officer. It would appear that at the White House the representations -from St. James's were regarded as reasonable, for after this the -American cruisers kept a more deferential distance; the _Banshee_ at any -rate was able to run into Nassau without being overhauled, and her -arrival there caused a great sensation, as being the first boat -specially built for the service. - -Having received the congratulations of my many friends at Nassau upon -possessing so fine a tool to work with, I at once set about getting her -ready for a trip as soon as the nights set in dark enough. For so -vigilant had the blockading force become by this time, that a successful -run was considered practically impossible except on moonless nights. -Invisibility, care, and determination were the secrets of success, and -to this end the _Banshee_ was carefully prepared. Everything aloft was -taken down, till nothing was left standing but the two lower masts with -small cross-trees for a look-out man on the fore, and the boats were -lowered to the level of the rails. The whole ship was then painted a -sort of dull white, the precise shade of which was so nicely ascertained -by experience before the end of the war that a properly dressed runner -on a dark night was absolutely indiscernible at a cable's length. So -particular were captains on this point that some of them even insisted -on their crews wearing white at night, holding that one black figure on -the bridge or on deck was enough to betray an otherwise invisible -vessel. - -Perfect as the _Banshee_ looked, when her toilet was complete, I was -even more fortunate in my crew. - -For captain I had Steele, one of the most daring and successful -commanders the time brought out. Absolutely devoid of fear, never -flurried, decided and ready in emergency, and careful as a mother, he -was the beau-ideal of a blockade-runner. Already he had served his -apprenticeship to the trade and knew what failure meant, for while in -command of the _Tubal Cain_ he had been captured on his very first trip, -and, after tasting for a short time the hospitality of an American -prison, had been released—richer by the experience, but in no wise -daunted. - -The chief engineer, Erskine, too, had seen service, having worked as -second engineer on board the Confederate cruiser _Oreto_, when the -famous Captain Maffitt ran her into Savannah. As the engines of a -blockade-runner are her arm, her success must necessarily in great -measure depend on the qualities of her engineer, and it would have been -hard to find a better man for the task than Erskine. Cool in danger, -full of resource in sudden difficulty, and as steady as the tide, he was -yet capable of fearlessly risking everything and straining to the last -pound, when the word came, in one of those rousing forms of expression -with which old Steele was wont to notify down the engine-room tube, that -the critical moment had come. - -For pilot a Wilmington man had been sent out by our agents there, and -was waiting for me at Nassau. He too turned out a jewel. He knew his -port like his own face, and the most trying situations or heaviest -firing could never put him off or disturb his serene self-possession. -For all his duties he had an instinct that approached genius. On the -blackest night he could always make out a blockader several minutes -before any one else; and so acute at last did this sense become, that it -used to be a byword that Tom Burroughs at last got to smell a cruiser -long before he could see her. - -Through the ignorance or cowardice of the pilot vessels were frequently -lost, and to obtain a good pilot was as troublesome as it was essential. -The risk they ran was great, for if captured they were never exchanged; -but their pay, which frequently amounted to £700 or £800 a round trip, -was proportionate to the risk. - -Thus well equipped and laden with arms, gunpowder, boots, and all kinds -of contraband of war, as soon as the moon was right, the _Banshee_ stole -out of Nassau for the first time to make the best of her way to -Wilmington. - - - - - CHAPTER IV - - THE _BANSHEE'S_ FIRST RUN IN - - The approach to Wilmington—Fort Fisher—Tactics of the - blockading squadron—Reason of the _Banshee's_ - success—The look-out man—The dangers of blockade-running—The - favourite course into Wilmington—All lights out—An anxious - moment—Taking soundings—In the midst of the enemy—A false - reckoning—The big hill—Attacked by gun-boats—Fort Fisher wide - awake—Safely over the bar—The days of champagne cocktails. - - -Wilmington was the first port I attempted; in fact with the exception of -one run to Galveston it was always our destination. It had many -advantages. Though furthest from Nassau it was nearest to headquarters -at Richmond, and from its situation was very difficult to watch -effectively. It was here moreover, that my firm had established its -agency as soon as they had resolved to takeup the blockade-running -business. The town itself lies some sixteen miles up the Cape Fear -river, which falls into the ocean at a point where the coast forms the -sharp salient angle from which the river takes its name. Off its mouth -lies a delta, known as Smith's Island, which not only emphasises the -obnoxious formation of the coast, but also divides the approach to the -port into two widely separated channels, so that in order to guard the -approach to it a blockading-force is compelled to divide into two -squadrons. - -[Illustration: PLAN OF WILMINGTON HARBOUR.] - -At one entrance of the river lies Fort Fisher, a work so powerful that -the blockaders instead of lying in the estuary were obliged to form -roughly a semicircle out of range of its guns, and the falling away of -the coast on either side of the entrance further increased the extent of -ground they had to cover. The system they adopted in order to meet the -difficulty was extremely well conceived, and, did we not know to the -contrary, it would have appeared complete enough to ensure the capture -of every vessel so foolhardy as to attempt to enter or come out. - -Across either entrance an inshore squadron was stationed at close -intervals. In the daytime the steamers composing this squadron anchored, -but at night they got under weigh and patrolled in touch with the -flagship, which, as a rule, remained at anchor. Further out there was a -cordon of cruisers, and outside these again detached gun-boats keeping -at such a distance from the coast as they calculated a runner coming out -would traverse between the time of high water on Wilmington bar and -sunrise, so that if any blockade-runner coming out got through the two -inner lines in the dark she had every chance of being snapped up at -daybreak by one of the third division. - -Besides these special precautions for Wilmington there must not be -forgotten the ships engaged in the general service of the blockade, -consisting, in addition to those detailed to watch Nassau and other -bases, of free cruisers that patrolled the Gulf-stream. From this it -will be seen readily, that from the moment the _Banshee_ left Nassau -harbour till she had passed the protecting forts at the mouth of Cape -Fear river, she and those on board her could never be safe from danger -or free for a single hour from anxiety. But, although at this time the -system was already fairly well developed, the Northerners had not yet -enough ships at work to make it as effective as it afterwards became. - -The _Banshee's_ engines proved so unsatisfactory that under ordinary -conditions nine or ten knots was all we could get out of her; she was -therefore not permitted to run any avoidable risks, and to this I -attribute her extraordinary success where better boats failed. As long -as daylight lasted a man was never out of the cross-trees, and the -moment a sail was seen the _Banshee's_ stern was turned to it till it -was dropped below the horizon. The lookout man, to quicken his eyes, had -a dollar for every sail he sighted, and if it were seen from the deck -first he was fined five. This may appear excessive, but the importance -in blockade-running of seeing before you are seen is too great for any -chance to be neglected; and it must be remembered that the pay of -ordinary seamen for each round trip in and out was from £50 to £60. - -Following these tactics we crept noiselessly along the shores of the -Bahamas, invisible in the darkness, and ran on unmolested for the first -two days out, though our course was often interfered with by the -necessity of avoiding hostile vessels; then came the anxious moment on -the third, when, her position having been taken at noon to see if she -was near enough to run under the guns of Fort Fisher before the -following daybreak, it was found there was just time, but none to spare -for accidents or delay. Still the danger of lying out another day so -close to the blockaded port was very great, and rather than risk it we -resolved to keep straight on our course and chance being overtaken by -daylight before we were under the Fort. - -Now the real excitement began, and nothing I have ever experienced can -compare with it. Hunting, pig-sticking, steeple-chasing, big-game -shooting, polo—I have done a little of each—all have their thrilling -moments, but none can approach "running a blockade"; and perhaps my -readers can sympathise with my enthusiasm when they consider the dangers -to be encountered, after three days of constant anxiety and little -sleep, in threading our way through a swarm of blockaders, and the -accuracy required to hit in the nick of time the mouth of a river only -half a mile wide, without lights and with a coast-line so low and -featureless that as a rule the first intimation we had of its nearness -was the dim white line of the surf. - -There were of course many different plans of getting in, but at this -time the favourite dodge was to run up some fifteen or twenty miles to -the north of Cape Fear, so as to round the northernmost of the -blockaders, instead of dashing right through the inner squadron; then to -creep down close to the surf till the river was reached: and this was -the course the _Banshee_ intended to adopt. - -We steamed cautiously on until nightfall: the night proved dark, but -dangerously clear and calm. No lights were allowed—not even a cigar; the -engine-room hatchways were covered with tarpaulins, at the risk of -suffocating the unfortunate engineers and stokers in the almost -insufferable atmosphere below. But it was absolutely imperative that not -a glimmer of light should appear. Even the binnacle was covered, and the -steersman had to see as much of the compass as he could through a -conical aperture carried almost up to his eyes. - -With everything thus in readiness we steamed on in silence except for -the stroke of the engines and the beat of the paddle-floats, which in -the calm of the night seemed distressingly loud; all hands were on deck, -crouching behind the bulwarks; and we on the bridge, namely, the -captain, the pilot, and I, were straining our eyes into the darkness. -Presently Burroughs made an uneasy movement—"Better get a cast of the -lead, Captain," I heard him whisper. A muttered order down the -engine-room tube was Steele's reply, and the _Banshee_ slowed and then -stopped. It was an anxious moment, while a dim figure stole into the -fore-chains; for there is always a danger of steam blowing off when -engines are unexpectedly stopped, and that would have been enough to -betray our presence for miles around. In a minute or two came back the -report, "sixteen fathoms—sandy bottom with black specks." "We are not as -far in as I thought, Captain," said Burroughs, "and we are too far to -the southward. Port two points and go a little faster." As he explained, -we must be well to the northward of the speckled bottom before it was -safe to head for the shore, and away we went again. In about an hour -Burroughs quietly asked for another sounding. Again she was gently -stopped, and this time he was satisfied. "Starboard and go ahead easy," -was the order now, and as we crept in not a sound was heard but that of -the regular beat of the paddle-floats still dangerously loud in spite of -our snail's pace. Suddenly Burroughs gripped my arm,— - -"There's one of them, Mr. Taylor," he whispered, "on the starboard bow." - -In vain I strained my eyes to where he pointed, not a thing could I see; -but presently I heard Steele say beneath his breath, "All right, -Burroughs, I see her. Starboard a little, steady!" was the order passed -aft. - -A moment afterwards I could make out a long low black object on our -starboard side, lying perfectly still. Would she see us? that was the -question; but no, though we passed within a hundred yards of her we were -not discovered, and I breathed again. Not very long after we had dropped -her Burroughs whispered,— - -"Steamer on the port bow." - -And another cruiser was made out close to us. - -"Hard-a-port," said Steele, and round she swung, bringing our friend -upon our beam. Still unobserved we crept quietly on, when all at once a -third cruiser shaped herself out of the gloom right ahead and steaming -slowly across our bows. - -"Stop her," said Steele in a moment, and as we lay like dead our enemy -went on and disappeared in the darkness. It was clear there was a false -reckoning somewhere, and that instead of rounding the head of the -blockading line we were passing through the very centre of it. However, -Burroughs was now of opinion that we must be inside the squadron and -advocated making the land. So "slow ahead" we went again, until the -low-lying coast and the surf line became dimly visible. Still we could -not tell where we were, and, as time was getting on alarmingly near -dawn, the only thing to do was to creep down along the surf as close in -and as fast as we dared. It was a great relief when we suddenly heard -Burroughs say, "It's all right, I see the 'Big Hill'!" - -The "Big Hill" was a hillock about as high as a full-grown oak tree, but -it was the most prominent feature for miles on that dreary coast, and -served to tell us exactly how far we were from Fort Fisher. And -fortunate it was for us we were so near. Daylight was already breaking, -and before we were opposite the fort we could make out six or seven -gunboats, which steamed rapidly towards us and angrily opened fire. -Their shots were soon dropping close around us: an unpleasant sensation -when you know you have several tons of gunpowder under your feet. To -make matters worse, the North Breaker shoal now compelled us to haul off -the shore and steam further out. It began to look ugly for us, when all -at once there was a flash from the shore followed by a sound that came -like music to our ears—that of a shell whirring over our heads. It was -Fort Fisher, wide awake and warning the gunboats to keep their distance. -With a parting broadside they steamed sulkily out of range, and in half -an hour we were safely over the bar. A boat put off from the fort and -then,—well, it was the days of champagne cocktails, not whiskies and -sodas—and one did not run a blockade every day. For my part, I was -mightily proud of my first attempt and my baptism of fire. -Blockade-running seemed the pleasantest and most exhilarating of -pastimes. I did not know then what a very serious business it could be. - - - - - CHAPTER V - - FORT FISHER AND WILMINGTON - - Colonel William Lamb—A battery of Whitworth guns—Mrs. Lamb—A - lovely Puritan maiden—An historical cottage—British naval - officers—The Santa Claus of the war—Admiral Porter's fleet—Visit - of General Curtis and Colonel Lamb to Fort Fisher—Identifying - historic spots—Strict quarantine—Cheerful slaves—Open house on - board the _Banshee_—Reckless loading—An impudent plan—The - _Minnesota_—A simple manœuvre—A triumphant success. - - -It was now that I made the acquaintance—soon to ripen into a warm -friendship—of Colonel William Lamb, the Commandant of Fort Fisher,—a man -of whose courtesy, courage, and capacity all the English who knew him -spoke in the highest terms. Originally a Virginian lawyer and afterwards -the editor of a newspaper, he volunteered at the outbreak of the war, -and rising rapidly to the grade of colonel was given the command of Fort -Fisher, a post which he filled with high distinction till its fall in -1865. With the blockade-runners he was immensely popular; always on the -alert and ever ready to reach a helping hand, he seemed to think no -exertion too great to assist their operations, and many a smart vessel -did his skill and activity snatch from the very jaws of the blockaders. -He came to be regarded by the runners as their guardian angel; and it -was no small support in the last trying moments of a run to remember who -was in Fort Fisher. - -So much did we value his services and so grateful were we for them, that -at my suggestion my firm subsequently presented him with a battery of -six Whitworth guns, of which he was very proud; and good use he made of -them in keeping the blockaders at a respectful distance. They were guns -with a great range, which many a cruiser found to its cost when -venturing too close in chase down the coast. Lamb would gallop them down -behind the sandhills, by aid of mules, and open fire upon the enemy -before he was aware of his danger. Neither must I forget his charming -wife (alas, now numbered among the majority); her hospitality and -kindness were unbounded, and many a pleasant social evening have I and -my brother blockade-runners spent in her little cottage outside the -fort. - -[Illustration: PORTRAIT OF COLONEL LAMB. _To face page 56._] - -The following extract from _Southern Historical Papers_, written by -Colonel Lamb a few years ago, will doubtless interest my readers; also -the account, copied from the _Wilmington Messenger_, of a meeting which -took place lately between him and General Curtis at Fort Fisher. - - - In the fall of 1857 a lovely Puritan maiden, still in her - teens, was married in Grace Church, Providence, Rhode - Island, to a Virginia youth, just passed his majority, who - brought her to his home in Norfolk, a typical ancestral - homestead, where beside the "white folks" there was quite - a colony of family servants, from the pickaninny just able to - crawl to the old gray-headed mammy who had nursed "ole - massa." She soon became enamoured of her surroundings - and charmed with the devotion of her coloured maid, whose - sole duty it was to wait upon her young missis. When - the John Brown raid burst upon the South and her husband - was ordered to Harper's Ferry, there was not a more - indignant matron in all Virginia, and when at last secession - came, the South did not contain a more enthusiastic little - rebel. - - On the 15th of May 1862, a few days after the surrender - of Norfolk to the Federals, by her father-in-law, - then mayor, amid the excitement attending a captured city, - her son Willie was born. Cut off from her husband and - subjected to the privations and annoyances incident to a - subjugated community, her father insisted upon her coming - with her children to his home in Providence; but, notwithstanding - she was in a luxurious home, with all that paternal - love could do for her, she preferred to leave all these - comforts to share with her husband the dangers and - privations of the South. She vainly tried to persuade - Stanton, Secretary of War, to let her and her three children, - with a nurse, return to the South; finally he consented to - let her go by flag of truce from Washington to City Point, - but without a nurse, and as she was unable to manage - three little ones, she left the youngest with his grandparents, - and with two others bravely set out for Dixie. The generous - outfit of every description which was prepared for the - journey, and which was carried to the place of embarkation, - was ruthlessly cast aside by the inspectors on the wharf, - and no tears or entreaties or offers of reward by the parents - availed to pass anything save a scanty supply of clothing - and other necessaries. Arriving in the South, the brave - young mother refused the proffer of a beautiful home in - Wilmington, the occupancy of the grand old mansion at - "Orton," on the Cape Fear river, but insisted upon taking - up her abode with her children and their coloured nurse in - the upper room of a pilot's house, where they lived until - the soldiers of the garrison built her a cottage one mile - north of Fort Fisher, on the Atlantic beach. In both of - these homes she was occasionally exposed to the shot and - shell fired from blockaders at belated blockade-runners. - - It was a quaint abode, constructed in most primitive - style, with three rooms around one big chimney, in which - North Carolina pine knots supplied heat and light on - winter nights. This cottage became historic, and was - famed for the frugal but tempting meals which its charming - hostess would prepare for her distinguished guests. Besides - the many illustrious Confederate Army and Navy officers - who were delighted to find this bit of sunshiny civilisation - on the wild sandy beach, ensconced among the sand dunes - and straggling pines and black-jack, many celebrated - English naval officers enjoyed its hospitality under assumed - names:—Roberts, afterwards the renowned Hobart Pasha, - who commanded the Turkish navy; Murray, now Admiral - Murray-Aynsley, long since retired, after having been rapidly - promoted for gallantry and meritorious services in the British - navy; the brave but unfortunate Hugh Burgoyne, V.C., who - went down in the British iron-clad, _Captain_, in the Bay of - Biscay; and the chivalrous Hewett, who won the Victoria - Cross in the Crimea and was knighted for his services as - ambassador to King John of Abyssinia, and who, after - commanding the Queen's yacht, died lamented as Admiral - Hewett. Besides these there were many genial and gallant - merchant captains, among them Halpin, who afterwards commanded - the _Great Eastern_ while laying ocean cables; and - famous war correspondents—Hon. Francis C. Lawley, M.P., - correspondent of the _London Times_, and Frank Vizitelli of - the _London Illustrated News_, afterwards murdered in the - Soudan. Nor must the plucky Tom Taylor be forgotten, - supercargo of the _Banshee_ and the _Night Hawk_, who, by - his coolness and daring, escaped with a boat's crew from - the hands of the Federals after capture off the fort, and - who was endeared to the children as the "Santa Claus" of - the war. - - At first the little Confederate was satisfied with pork and - potatoes, corn-bread and rye coffee, with sorghum sweetening; - but after the blockade-runners made her acquaintance - the impoverished store-room was soon filled to overflowing, - notwithstanding her heavy requisitions on it for the post - hospital, the sick and wounded soldiers and sailors always - being a subject of her tenderest solicitude, and often the - hard worked and poorly fed coloured hands blessed the - little lady of the cottage for a tempting treat. - - Full of stirring events were the two years passed in the - cottage on Confederate Point. The drowning of Mrs. Rose - Greenough, the famous Confederate spy, off Fort Fisher, - and the finding of her body, which was tenderly cared for, - and the rescue from the waves, half dead, of Professor - Holcombe, and his restoration, were incidents never to be - forgotten. Her fox-hunting with horse and hounds, the narrow - escapes of friendly vessels, the fights over blockade-runners - driven ashore, the execution of deserters, and the - loss of an infant son, whose little spirit went out with the - tide one sad summer night, all contributed to the reality of - this romantic life. - - When Porter's fleet appeared off Fort Fisher, December - 1864, it was storm-bound for several days, and the little - family with their household goods were sent across the - river to "Orton," before Butler's powder-ship blew up. - After the Christmas victory over Porter and Butler, the - little heroine insisted upon coming back to her cottage, - although her husband had procured a home of refuge in - Cumberland county. General Whiting protested against - her running the risk, for on dark nights her husband could - not leave the fort, but she said, "if the firing became too - hot she would run behind the sand hills as she had done - before," and come she would. - - The fleet reappeared unexpectedly on the night of the - 12th of January 1865. It was a dark night, and when - the lights of the fleet were reported her husband sent a - courier to the cottage to instruct her to pack up quickly - and be prepared to leave with children and nurse as soon - as he could come to bid them good-bye. The garrison - barge, with a trusted crew, was stationed at Craig's Landing, - near the cottage. After midnight, when all necessary - orders were given for the coming attack, the colonel - mounted his horse and rode to the cottage, but all was - dark and silent. He found the message had been delivered, - but his brave wife had been so undisturbed by the news, - that she had fallen asleep and no preparations for a retreat - had been made. Precious hours had been lost, and as - the fleet would soon be shelling the beach and her husband - have to return to the fort, he hurried them into the boat as - soon as dressed, with only what could be gathered up - hastily, leaving dresses, toys, and household articles to fall - into the hands of the foe. - - - The extraordinary circumstance occurred yesterday of - a visit to Fort Fisher by General N. M. Curtis and Colonel - William Lamb, who were pitted against each other in deadly - strife at that historic spot on the occurrence of both the - battles there during the civil war—the one commencing - 24th December 1864 and the other 13th January 1865. - - Colonel Lamb was in Washington a few days ago, and - made an engagement with General Curtis to visit the old - fort. They consequently met in Norfolk last Thursday - morning and came on to Wilmington, arriving here that - night. Yesterday morning they took the steamer _Wilmington_ - at 9.30 o'clock and, accompanied by T. W. Clawson of the - _Messenger_, the three were landed at the Rocks and were - sent ashore in one of the _Wilmington's_ small boats, the - gangway and wharf having been swept away during the gale - of 13th October. - - From the Rocks the party walked to Fort Fisher, and - together the old heroes went from one end of the fort to - the other, identifying Colonel Lamb's headquarters and - locating the position of the batteries, the magazines, the - salients, the sally-port, and other historic spots. - - General Curtis explained the route of his advance upon - the fort at the last battle, when the fort was captured, and - pointed out the portion of the parapet which he assaulted - and scaled, and where the first flag of the invading army - was planted on the ramparts. The batteries at which the - first fierce hand-to-hand fights occurred were discussed as - the party walked over them, and General Curtis pointed out - about the spot inside the works where he fell, desperately and - almost fatally wounded by a piece of shell that struck him - over the left eye, and carried away a large piece of the frontal - bone and destroyed the eye. He was believed to be killed, - and when some of his soldiers were ordered to take him to the - rear, so that his body could be shipped North, they dragged - his body over the rough ground for some distance, so that - his clothing was torn and his back was bleeding from cuts - made by such rough treatment. Orders had been given for - a box in which to ship his body to his home in New York. - - Colonel Lamb, the hero on the Confederate side, who - was in command of the fort at both battles, explained the - positions held by the brave defenders of the fort, and also - pointed out about the spot where he was shot down, a - Minie ball having broken his hip, and also where General - Whiting received his death wound. Strange to say, all - three were wounded within a few yards of each other. - Colonel Lamb's wound came within an ace of proving fatal, - and, as it was, he was on crutches for several years. - - The old fort is now a heap of ruins, consisting of - mounds of sand, where the batteries were stationed. In - front of the land face from which the assault was made - by the United States' troops under General Curtis, and - right on the position held by his regiment, the recent storm - has unearthed a great many bones of the brave fellows - who fell in the battle. It is not known whether they wore - the blue or the gray, but it is quite probable that they were - some of General Curtis's troops. - - From the fort the party proceeded up the beach for a - mile and a half, and visited the cottage which Colonel Lamb - occupied with his family and made his general headquarters. - It is now occupied by a fisherman. From Craig's Landing - near by the party took a sail boat and were carried back to - the Rocks by the Craig brothers. When the boat was run - ashore it grounded in shallow water about fifteen feet from - dry land, and the only alternative left was to strip shoes - and foot-wear, and roll up pants and wade out. General - Curtis, who is a man of powerful frame and sound health, - soon stepped over the boat's side and into the water, - and as Colonel Lamb's health made him cautious about - going into the water, General Curtis offered to carry him - on his back to dry land. The _Messenger_ representative - being a duffer of good frame and strength, and being the - younger by half, interposed in relief of General Curtis, and - so Colonel Lamb rode the scribe to the shore. The newspaper - man then wanted to kick himself for not allowing - Colonel Lamb to ride his "friend the enemy," for he could - have witnessed the remarkable instance of a brave and - distinguished Federal officer carrying on his back the - illustrious Confederate who, in years that are gone, was - raising old Harry with shot and shell to keep the General - at a safe distance. These two men were heroes of the - right stripe, and we can raise our hats in honour and - admiration of them for the rich heritage which their - manhood and bravery leaves to Americans. - - After accepting the hospitality of Mr. Henry Wood, a - fisherman at the Rocks, who had prepared some coffee and - oysters for the party, the _Wilmington_ came in sight at - 3 o'clock, and she was boarded for the return to Wilmington. - On the trip down Colonel Lamb had bought a lot of fine - fat coots to be cooked for lunch at the Rocks, but he - forgot these, and they were left on the steamer. Imagine - the happiness of the party when they got aboard to find - that the courteous Captain John Harper had had the birds - cooked and sent them in with some delightful bread. - - General Curtis and Colonel Lamb, after returning to the - city, were hospitably entertained at the Cape Fear Club. - - General Curtis was a Colonel at the assault on Fort - Fisher, but he won his General's epaulettes there. By the - way, he was wounded in six places on the day the fort - was captured. He served four years and eight months in - the Federal army, having volunteered in April 1861. - - _Wilmington_ (N. C.) _Messenger_. - -After this digression I must return to our movements on board the -_Banshee_. Having obtained pratique (for the quarantine was very strict) -and a local pilot, rendered necessary by the river being unbuoyed and -strewn with torpedoes, we ran up at once to Wilmington. Here I found our -agent Tom Power, who had an outward cargo ready for me, and the cheerful -heartiness with which the slaves set about discharging our inward one -was a pleasant surprise; if I hadn't been told they _were_ slaves I -should never have discovered it. Everything had to be done at high -pressure, for it was important to get out as quickly as possible, so as -to try another run while the dark nights lasted, and loading went -merrily on. I therefore did my best to win the goodwill of the -officials, on whose favour I was of course in a great measure dependent -for a rapid turn round. - -Wilmington was already sadly pinched and war-worn. There never was too -much to eat and drink there, and the commonest luxuries were almost -things of the past; so when it became known that there was practically -open house on board the _Banshee_ friends flocked to her. She soon -attained great popularity, and it was really a sight when our luncheon -bell rang to see guests, invited and uninvited, turn up from all -quarters. We made them all welcome, and when our little cabin was filled -we generally had an overflow meeting on deck. - -What a pleasure it was to see them eat and drink! Men who had been -accustomed to live on corn-bread and bacon, and to drink nothing but -water, appreciated our delicacies; our bottled beer, good brandy, and, -on great occasions, our champagne, warmed their hearts towards us. The -chief steward used to look at me appealingly, as a hint that our stores -would never last out; in fact we were often on very short commons before -we got back to Nassau. But we had our reward. If any special favour were -asked it was always granted, if possible, to the _Banshee_, and if any -push had to be made there was always some one to make it. - -Whether due to the luncheon parties or not need not be said, but we were -within a very few days able to cast off our moorings and drop down the -river ballasted with tobacco and laden with cotton—three tiers even on -deck. Such things are almost incredible nowadays. The reckless loading, -to which high profits and the perquisites allowed to officers led, is to -a landsman inconceivable. That men should be found willing to put to sea -at all in these frail craft piled like hay waggons is extraordinary -enough, but that they should do so in the face of a vigilant and active -blockading force, and do it successfully, seems rather an invention of -romance than a commonplace occurrence of our own time. True, running out -was a much easier matter than running in, for the risks inseparable from -making a port, so difficult to find as Wilmington, without lights, and -with constant change of courses, were absent, and as soon as the bar was -crossed navigation at least gave no anxiety. - -Steele and I had hit on a plan for getting out that promised almost a -certainty of success. Its security lay in its impudence, a cardinal -virtue of blockade-running, which, as will be seen later on in some of -the more critical scenes, approached the sublime. The idea was perhaps -obvious enough. As has been said, the flagship during the night remained -at anchor, while the other ships moved slowly to and fro upon the inner -line, leaving, as was natural enough, a small area round the Admiral's -ship unpatrolled. This was enough for us. Bringing up the _Banshee_ -behind Fort Fisher, where she could lie hidden from the blockaders till -nightfall, we rowed ashore to get from Colonel Lamb the last news of the -squadron's movements and to ascertain which ship bore the Admiral's -flag. She proved to be the _Minnesota_, a large sixty-gun frigate: her -bearings were accurately taken, and as soon as night fell the _Banshee_ -stole quietly from her concealment, slipped over the bar, dark as it -was, and by the aid of Steele's observations ran in perfect security -close by the flagship and out to sea well clear of the first cordon. - -In trying to pass the second, however, we were less successful, for we -ran right across a gunboat; she saw us and at once opened fire; but slow -as the _Banshee_ was, luckily the Northern gunboats for the most part -were slower still, so we had no difficulty in increasing the distance -between us till it was felt we were out of sight again. Our helm was -then put hard over, giving us a course at right angles to the one we had -been steaming, and after keeping it a few minutes we stopped. It was a -manœuvre nearly always successful, provided the helm was not put over -too soon, and this time it achieved the usual result. As we lay -perfectly still, watching the course of the gunboat by the flashes of -her guns and by the rockets she was sending up to attract her consorts, -we had the satisfaction of seeing her labouring furiously past us and -firing wildly into black space. - -There still remained the danger at daybreak of the third cordon, and -with anxious eyes the horizon was scoured as the darkness began to fail. -A daylight chase with the _Banshee_ in her present condition could not -be thought of, but fortunately not a sign of a cruiser was to be seen. -All that day, and the next and the next, we steamed onward with our -hearts in our mouths, turning our stern to every sail or patch of smoke -that was seen, till, on the evening of the third day, we steamed into -Nassau as proudly as a heavy list to starboard would allow. - -So ended my first attempt, a triumphant success! Besides the inward -freight of £50 a ton on the war material, I had earned by the tobacco -ballast alone £7000, the freight for which had been paid at the rate of -£70 a ton. But this was a flea-bite compared to the profit on the 500 -odd bales of cotton we had on board, which was at least £50 per bale. - -No wonder I took kindly to my new calling, and no wonder I at once set -to work to get the _Banshee_ reloaded for another run before the -moonless nights were over. - - - - - CHAPTER VI - - THE REST OF THE _BANSHEE_ NO. 1.'s CAREER - - Breakdown of the _Banshee's_ machinery—Heavily peppered - by gunboats—The help of signal lights—A change of tactics—An - awkward alternative—Hailed by a cruiser—A slanging match—Grape - and canister—The _Banshee_ on fire—Shipping a fresh cargo—A - careless look-out man—Pursued by the _James Adger_—A - ding-dong race—Cargo thrown overboard—A stowaway comes to - light—A crucial moment—The _James Adger_ relinquishes - her pursuit—Our last coal used—Secure in British - territory—Negotiations for coal—A demoralised crew—Safe in - Nassau—End of the _Banshee's_ career—Profit of blockade-running. - - -To give in detail every trip of the _Banshee_ would be wearisome. I made -in her seven more in all, each one of which had its peculiar excitement. -Looking back it seems nothing short of a miracle that, ill-constructed -and ill-engined as she was, she so long escaped the numerous dangers to -which she was exposed. I well remember, on our second run in, an -accident which no one could have foreseen, and which came within an ace -of ending her career. - -After a busy time discharging our cargo and getting coaled and loaded in -order to save a trip before the moon grew too much, we made another -start, and after a rough passage reached within striking distance of our -port. It was a very dark but calm night; we had made out several -blockaders and safely eluded them, when suddenly a tearing and rending -of wood was heard, and splinters from our port paddle-box fell in all -directions. The engines were stopped at once; it was then discovered -that one of the paddle-floats, which were made of steel, had split, -causing the broken part to come violently in contact with the paddle-box -at each revolution. There was nothing for it but to stop and attempt to -unscrew the damaged float; a sail was placed round the paddle-box and -two of the engineers were lowered down and commenced work: not many -minutes elapsed before a cruiser hove in sight, and we made certain we -had been discovered. Although she came on until she was not more than a -hundred yards away on our beam, curious to state she never saw us, but, -after lying motionless, much to our relief she steamed away, and oh! how -pleasant it was to hear that float drop into the water. - -We felt our way towards the bar, and although we were heavily peppered -by two gunboats which were lying close in, we escaped untouched and soon -had our signal lights set for going over the bar. These signal lights -were of course a great assistance, but latterly the Northerners used to -place launches close in, and when those in charge saw the lights -exhibited they signalled to the blockaders, who immediately commenced -shelling the bar, rendering it very unpleasant for us; so much so that -we generally preferred to find our way over it without lights, as the -lesser risk of the two. It was the custom for each steamer to carry a -Confederate signalman, who by means of a code could communicate with the -shore, in the daytime with flags, at night by flashes from lamps. If the -leading lights were required, the pilots in the fort set two lights -which, when in line, led us through deep water over the bar. - -This was an average run in, but more exciting ones were to follow. In -the earlier stages of blockade-running, such as those I have mentioned, -we used to go well to the northward and make the coast some fifteen or -twenty miles above Fort Fisher, thus going round the fleet instead of -through it. By this means we were the better enabled to strike the coast -unobserved, steaming quietly down, just outside the surf, until we -arrived close to Fort Fisher, where we had to go somewhat to seaward, in -order to avoid a certain shoal called the North Breaker. Although this -generally brought us into close contact with the blockaders, still we -knew exactly where we were as regards the bar. Subsequently the -Northerners stopped this manœuvre, as we found to our peril. - -One very dark night (I think it was either on the fourth or fifth trip -of the _Banshee_) we made the land about twelve miles above Fort Fisher, -and were creeping quietly down as usual, when all at once we made a -cruiser out, lying on our port-bow, and slowly moving about two hundred -yards from the shore. It was a question of going inside or outside her; -if we went outside she was certain to see us, and would chase us into -the very jaws of the fleet. As we had very little steam up we chose the -former alternative, hoping to pass unobserved between the cruiser and -the shore, aided by the dark background of the latter. It was an -exciting moment; we got almost abreast of her, as we thought, -unobserved, and success seemed within our grasp, till we saw her move in -towards us and heard her hail us as we came on, "Stop that steamer or I -will sink you"! - -Old Steele growled out that we hadn't time to stop, and shouted down the -engine-room tube to Erskine to pile on the coals, as concealment was no -longer of any use. Our friend, which we afterwards found out was the -_Niphon_, opened fire as fast as she could and sheered close into us, so -close that her boarders were called away twice, and a slanging match -went on between us, like that sometimes to be heard between two penny -steamboat captains on the Thames. She closed the dispute by shooting -away our fore mast, exploding a shell in our bunkers, and, when we began -to leave her astern, by treating us to grape and canister. It was a -miracle that no one was killed, but the crew were all lying flat on the -deck, except the steersman; and at one time I fear he did the same, for -as Pilot Burroughs suddenly cried, "My God, Mr. Taylor, look there"! I -saw our boat heading right into the surf, so, jumping from the bridge, I -ran aft and found the helmsman on his stomach. I rushed at the wheel and -got two or three spokes out of it, which hauled her head off the land, -but it was a close shave. - -Two miles farther on we picked up another cruiser, which tried to treat -us in a similar manner, but as we had plenty of steam we soon left her. -A little farther we came across a large side-wheel boat, which tried to -run us down, missing us only by a few yards; after that we were -unmolested and arrived in safe, warmly congratulated by Lamb, who -thought from the violent cannonade that we must certainly have been -sunk. - -Not more than one man out of a hundred would have brought a boat through -as Steele did that night,—the other ninety-nine would have run her -ashore. - -After this exciting run-in our first business was to repair damages and -ship our cargo on board; but at the last moment, when she was completely -loaded, with steam up and all ready for a start, we nearly lost the -_Banshee_ by fire. Steele and I were busy settling things in the office -on shore, when all at once, on looking out of the window, I saw volumes -of smoke coming from her deck cargo of cotton; we jumped into a boat, -but by the time we got alongside she was one sheet of flame. It looked -like a hopeless case. Steele, however, gave immediate orders to get the -steam hose at work, breast her off from the wharf, and to let go anchor -in mid stream; thus bringing her head to tide, but stern to wind. The -fire, being all forward, made it difficult to reach the forecastle so as -to let go the anchor; but our good friend Halpin (who then commanded a -blockade-runner called the _Eugénie_) gallantly came to our assistance, -at the risk of his life boarded us forward, and knocked out the cutter -which held the chain cable, but not before his clothes were on fire: it -was a sight to see him take a header into the river, causing the water -to hiss again. He undoubtedly saved our ship that day. Poor Halpin—I -have lately read of his death—he was as fine and generous-hearted a man -as ever lived, and was afterwards as successful at cable-laying as -blockade-running. - -By dint of hard work we got the fire under, and a tough job it was -fighting with ignited turpentine, of which we had several barrels on -deck, and blazing cotton. We found that, with the exception of having -our turtle back destroyed and our deck, bulwarks, and new foremast -charred, she had not received much serious damage, and after shipping a -fresh deck cargo we went to sea next night and crossed to Nassau, where -they were astonished to see the plight we were in, thinking we had had a -fire at sea. - -It was, I think, on our sixth trip out in the little _Banshee_, when -soon after daylight we had got safely through the fleet, and I was lying -on a cotton bale aft, that Erskine, the chief engineer, suddenly -exclaimed, "Mr. Taylor, look astern!" I looked, and not four miles from -us I saw a large side-wheel cruiser, with square sails set, coming down -on us hand over fist. This was an instance of gross carelessness on the -part of the look-out man at the masthead (he turned out to be an -American whom we had shipped in Nassau, on the previous trip, and about -whom both Steele and I had our private suspicions). At such a critical -moment as the approach of daylight the chief officer should have chosen -a picked man for the look-out. After this we were more careful: either -the chief officer or I myself, when on board, making it a point to -occupy this post at that particular hour. - -Erskine rushed to the engine-room, and in a few moments volumes of smoke -issuing from our funnels showed that we were getting up all the steam we -could—almost too late, as with the freshening breeze the chaser (which -we afterwards found out to be the well-known _James Adger_, a boat -subsequently sent to cruise in search of the _Alabama_) so rapidly -overhauled us that we could distinctly see the officers in uniform as -they stood on the bridge; each one, doubtless, counting his share of the -prize money to which he would soon become entitled. - -[Illustration: THE _BANSHEE_ CHASED BY _JAMES ADGER_. _To face page 78_] - -"This will never do," said Steele, who, although it put us off our -course to Nassau, ordered the helm to be altered, so as to bring us up -to the wind. We then soon had the satisfaction of seeing our enemy -obliged to take in sail after sail, and a ding-dong race of the most -exciting nature right in the wind's eye commenced. - -The freshening breeze and rising sea now seemed to increase the odds -against our, the smaller, boat, and so critical did matters become, and -so certain did capture appear, that I divided between Murray-Aynsley—who -was a passenger on this trip,—Steele, and myself sixty sovereigns which -I had on board, determined that when captured we wouldn't be penniless. -As the weather grew worse we found ourselves obliged to throw overboard -our deck cargo in order to lighten the boat. This was done as quickly as -possible, heart-breaking though it was to see valuable bales (worth from -£50 to £60 apiece) bobbing about on the waves. To me more especially did -this come home, for my little private venture of ten bales of Sea Island -cotton had to go first, a dead loss of £800 or more! - -A fresh cause of excitement now arose; in clearing out these very bales, -which were in a half finished deck cabin, an unfortunate stowaway came -to light, a runaway slave, who must have been standing wedged between -two bales for at least forty-eight hours, and within three feet of whom -I had unconsciously been sleeping on the cotton bales during the last -two nights before putting to sea. He received a great ovation on our -landing him at Nassau, though his freedom cost us $4000 on our return to -Wilmington, this being what he was valued at. His escape was an unusual -one, for, before leaving port the hold and closed up spaces were always -fumigated to such an extent as to have brought out or suffocated any one -in hiding; but this being an open-deck cabin, the precaution was -impossible. - -Having got rid of our deck cargo, we slowly but steadily began to gain -in the race. It was an extraordinary sight to see our gallant little -vessel at times almost submerged by green seas sweeping her fore and -aft, and the _James Adger_, a vessel of 2000 tons, taking headers into -the huge waves, yet neither of us for a moment slackening speed, a -course we should have thought madness under ordinary circumstances. -Murray-Aynsley stood with his sextant, taking angles, and reporting now -one now the other vessel getting the best of it. - -Suddenly a fresh danger arose from the bearings of the engines becoming -heated, owing to the enormous strain put upon them. Erskine said it was -absolutely imperative to stop for a short time. But by dint of loosening -the bearings and applying all the salad oil procurable mixed with -gunpowder they were gradually got into working order again, all in the -engine-room having assisted in the most energetic manner at this crucial -moment. - -The chase went on for fifteen weary hours—the longest hours I think I -ever spent!—until nightfall, when we saw our friend, then only about -five miles astern, turn round and relinquish her pursuit. We heard -afterwards that her stokers were dead beat. For some time we pursued our -course, thinking this might be only a ruse on their part, and then held -a council of war as to our next move. Steele and Erskine were for making -Bermuda, as we had been chased 150 miles in that direction, and both -feared our coal would not hold out for us to reach Nassau. It was, -however, very necessary that I should go to the latter place, as I was -expecting two new steamers out from England, so we decided to make the -attempt. We only succeeded in reaching land at all by a very close -shave. At the end of the third day we saw our last coal used; mainmast, -bulwarks, deck cabin and every available bit of wood, supplemented by -cotton and turpentine as fuel, only just carried us into one of the -north-east keys of the Bahamas, about sixty miles from Nassau, into -which we absolutely crawled, the engines working almost on a vacuum. We -had not anchored there more than two hours when we saw a Northern -cruiser steam slowly past, evidently eyeing us greedily; but we were -safe in British territory, and even the audacious cruiser dare not take -us as a prize. - -The difficulty of procuring the necessary fuel, in order to take us to -Nassau, now presented itself; fortunately we spied out a schooner in the -neighbourhood with whom we communicated, and after some negotiations I -arranged that she should take Murray-Aynsley and myself to our -destination, and bring back a cargo of coal. - -We started with a fair wind, but before long this had changed to a -regular hurricane—during which it was impossible to keep on any sail, -and the crew became terrified and helpless, thereby very nearly letting -us drift on to the rocks near Abaco lighthouse. It was an awful night, -the lightning vivid, and the coast line not many yards away. The crew -became more and more demoralised, and when the weather moderated refused -to proceed. This new difficulty was only overcome by Murray-Aynsley and -myself producing our revolvers; then, partly by threats, and partly by -promised bribes, we prevailed on them to think better of their resolve. - -Utterly wearied out, having had no sleep to speak of for one week, and -having lived in our sea-boots since we made our first start from -Wilmington (my feet were so swollen that the boots had to be cut off, -and sleeping draughts at first were powerless to restore the lost -faculty), we finally arrived in safety. The schooner was despatched back -with coal, and three days later I had the satisfaction of seeing the -_Banshee_ after these hair-breadth escapes steam safely in, though -looking considerably dilapidated; lucky in having lost only our deck -cargo—which represented a good half, or more, of what she started with. - -This chase, which lasted fifteen hours, and covered nearly 200 miles, -was considered one of the most notable incidents connected with -blockade-running during the war, and we heard a good deal about it -afterwards. At the time we had been struck by the fact of the _James -Adger_ not opening fire on us, when so close. The explanation was, that -she had no "bow-chasers," and was so certain of capturing us eventually, -that she did not think it worth while to "yaw" and fire her broadside -guns, and as the weather was so bad she did not care to cast them loose. - -This is the last trip I made in the _Banshee_ on which anything of note -occurred. She made eight round trips in all, and I then left her. She -was captured on the ninth, after another long chase off Cape Hatteras, -her captain and crew being taken to Fort Lafayette, where they were -detained for about eight months as prisoners in a casemate, badly fed -and clothed, and of course overcrowded. Steele spent some weeks in -Ludlow Street gaol; when he was released he found, to his delight, that -another boat had been built expressly for him, which was christened -_Banshee_ No. 2. - -Some idea of the vast profits accruing from blockade-running at this -time can be gathered from the fact that, notwithstanding the total loss -of the _Banshee_ by capture, she earned sufficient on the eight -successful round trips which she made to pay her shareholders 700 per -cent on their investment. - -Her captors turned her into a gunboat; and we heard afterwards that she -had proved anything but a success, being much too tender. Moreover her -engines, as we knew, were very hard to manipulate, so much so that on -one occasion it was found impossible to stop her, and she ran right into -the jetty of the naval yard at Washington. - - - - - CHAPTER VII - - LIFE AT NASSAU - - Society at Nassau—Dinners and dancing—The only frock-coat in - Nassau—Mrs. Bayley's receptions—Arthur Doering—Old friends - who have gone—Hobart Pasha—Capture of the _Don_—Hugh - Burgoyne—Captain Hewett—Murray Aynsley—A private Joint Stock - Company—Increased responsibilities—A day's misfortunes—Career - of the _Tristram Shandy_—Yellow Jack—Death-rate at - Wilmington—Saved from quarantine by a horse—A pet game-cock. - - -As the moon was now approaching full, we had ample time to repair -damages and refit ship before making another start, and we all enjoyed -our brief holiday and freedom from care. Although Nassau was a small -place its gaieties were many and varied. Money flowed like water, men -lived for the day and never thought of the morrow, and in that small -place was accumulated a mixture of mankind seldom seen before. -Confederate military and naval officers; diplomatists using the -blockade-runners as a means of ingress and egress from their beleaguered -country; newspaper correspondents and advertisers of all kinds,—some -rascals no doubt; the very cream of the English navy, composed of -officers on half-pay who had come out lured by the prospects of making -some money and gaining an experience in their profession which a war -such as this could give them; and last but not least our own immediate -circle, which was graced by the presence of two ladies, Mrs. -Murray-Aynsley and Mrs. Hobart, wives of officers who presided at our -revels and tended to keep the younger and more reckless of our set in -order. - -What jovial days they were, and how they were appreciated by the -officials and natives, to whom it was a pleasure to extend our -hospitality. Every night our dinner table was filled to its utmost -capacity, and once a week at least we had a dance, when the office -furniture was unceremoniously bundled out into the garden under the care -of a fatigue party of soldiers, and the band of the regiment discoursed -entrancing music to those whose feet never seemed to tire. I suppose -that I was then rather a dandy and the only possessor of a frock-coat -among us, and as I lived just below Government House, this coat, with a -flower in the button-hole, was frequently requisitioned at Mrs. Bayley's -(the Governor's wife) receptions. I have known it do duty half a dozen -times on half a dozen backs within a couple of hours: in the case of -poor Vizitelly, however, it was a little wanting in front. - -Not only my coat became public property, but those gay friends parted my -other raiment between them, and I well remember, after I had a new -supply of linen, etc. from home, expostulating with Frankston, my black -major-domo, because I had nothing to wear, and receiving his answer in -reply—"Well, sar, what can do? Mr. Hurst and Mr. Doering take all -master's shirts." To back up his assertion, he showed me Arthur -Doering's weekly wash just arrived, consisting of one sock and one white -tie. Poor Arthur, he is gone,—a light-hearted, cheery, devil-may-care -youngster who spent every penny he made. He was one of my pursers, but -had persistently bad luck; he was captured twice, wrecked once, and -chased back once. When on shore I made him head of the entertaining -department, for which he was well fitted, as no one could mix a better -cocktail or sing a more cheery song than he could. - -This was the cheery side of our Nassau life, but it had its reverse one, -consisting of hard work, constant anxieties and worries. - -As my memory takes me back to those jovial but hard-working days of -"camaraderie" it is melancholy to think how many of those friends have -gone before: Mrs. Murray-Aynsley, Mrs. Hobart and her husband Hobart -Pasha; Hugh Burgoyne, one of the navy's brightest ornaments, who was -drowned while commanding the ill-fated _Captain_; Hewett, who lately -gave up command of the Channel Fleet only to die; old Steele, the king -of blockade-running captains; Maurice Portman, an ex-diplomatist; Frank -Vizitelly, whose bones lie alongside those of Hicks Pasha's in the -Soudan; Lewis Grant Watson, my brother agent; Arthur Doering, one of my -loyal lieutenants, and a host of old Confederate friends, are all gone, -and I could count on my fingers those remaining of a circle of chums who -did not know what care or fear was, and who would have stood by each -other through thick and thin in any emergency. In fact my old friends -Admiral Murray-Aynsley and Frank Hurst are almost the only two living of -that companionship. - -Of Hobart Pasha and of the important part he played in the Turko-Russian -war and Cretan rebellion—in which he acknowledged that his -blockade-running experiences stood him in such good stead—most, if not -all, my readers will have read or heard. He commanded a smart little -twin screw-steamer called the _Don_, in fact one of the first twin -propeller steamers ever built. And very proud he was of his craft, in -which he made several successful runs under the assumed name of Captain -Roberts. On her first trip after "Captain Roberts" gave up command in -order to go home, the _Don_ was captured after a long chase, and his -late chief officer, who was then in charge, was assumed by his captors -to be Roberts. He maintained silence concerning the point, and the -Northern newspapers upon the arrival of the prize at Philadelphia were -full of the subject of the "Capture of the _Don_ and the notorious -English naval officer, Captain Roberts." Much chagrined were they to -find they had got the wrong man, and that the English naval officer was -still at large. - -Poor Burgoyne—whose tragic and early end, owing to the capsizing of the -_Captain_, everybody deplored—as a blockade-runner was not very -successful. If I remember correctly he made only two or three trips. Had -he lived he would have had a brilliant career before him in the navy; -bravest of the brave, as is evidenced by the V.C. he wore, gentle as a -woman, unselfish to a fault, he might have saved his life if he had -thought more of himself and less of his men on that terrible occasion -off Finisterre, when his last words were, "Look out for yourselves, men; -never mind me." - -Then there was Hewett, another wearer of the "cross for valour," who has -only recently joined the majority, after a brilliant career as Admiral -commanding in the East Indies, Red Sea, and Channel Fleet; who -successfully interviewed King John in Abyssinia, and was not content to -pace the deck of his flagship at Suakim, but insisted upon fighting in -the square at El Teb, and whose hospitality and geniality later on as -Commander-in-Chief of the Channel Fleet was proverbial. - -Murray-Aynsley, I rejoice to say, is still alive. Who that knows "old -Murray" does not love him; gentle as a child, brave as a lion, a man -without guile, he was perhaps the most successful of all the naval -blockade-runners. In the _Venus_ he had many hair-breadth escapes, -notably on one occasion when he ran the gauntlet of the Northern Fleet -in daylight into Wilmington. The _Venus_, hotly pursued by several -blockaders and pounded at by others, straight through whom she steamed, -and old Murray on the bridge, with his coat sleeves hitched up almost to -his arm-pits—a trick he had when greatly excited—otherwise as cool as -possible, was, as Lamb afterwards told me, a sight not to be forgotten. - -But shore life in Nassau was by no means "all beer and skittles." As I -have stated, the cheery side had its reverse. So far as I was concerned, -I had always a busy time attending to the mercantile part of the -business, and latterly a large staff of clerks, captains, and officers -to supervise, to manage whom required all the tact and firmness of which -as a comparative youngster I was capable. But on the whole they were a -loyal set of men; some imbeciles were indeed sent out as captains, who -were no more fit to command a blockade-runner than I was a regiment, and -these men had to be superseded and replaced by others: which caused much -friction, but the interests involved were so large that I could not -afford to be sentimental. - -The business had now grown to very large proportions; owing to the -success achieved by the first _Banshee_ her shareholders were encouraged -to make further investments, and their friends were only too delighted -to follow suit. The consequence was that my principals at home -established a private Joint Stock Company with a large capital, by means -of which steamer after steamer was built and sent out for me to -manipulate. - -Individual ventures gradually became the exception, and on account of -the amount of capital required it was found more profitable to form -large companies. The risk of loss was lessened by the possession of a -greater number of vessels, as even if half the fleet owned by a company -were captured the profits earned by the other half would more than -counterbalance the loss entailed by failure. The mercantile house which -transacted the company's business invariably held a large quantity of -the stock, and the commission earned was so great that, even if the -individual stockholders lost, the mercantile house came out a gainer. - -This change increased immensely my responsibilities and anxieties; vast -sums had to be dealt with, and at times a decision had to be made in an -instant upon a subject which involved grave consequences but brooked -little delay. However, youth and a sanguine temperament seemed to carry -me along, and in those days I managed to brush aside difficulties and -annoyances which in these later times would appear to me insufferable. - -One morning I was wakened up at daylight by Doering and the captain of a -boat called the _Tristram Shandy_, which I had despatched only five days -before on her maiden trip, standing at the foot of my bed. They -explained to me that they had arrived within 100 miles of Wilmington -when they had fallen in with a fast cruiser, who had chased them; to -avoid capture they had been obliged to throw all their cargo overboard. -This in itself meant a serious loss, but it was not the sum-total of the -day's misfortunes, for some hours later I heard of the capture of -another of our boats, and the total destruction of a third by being run -ashore and destroyed by the blockaders—a heavy bill of misfortune for -one day! - -The _Tristram Shandy_ had a very short and unfortunate career; after -being reloaded subsequent to her compulsory return, she started on her -second attempt and steamed safely in. But in coming out her funnels, -owing to the peculiar construction of her boilers, flamed very much, and -it appears that a gunboat followed her by this flame all night, and when -morning broke was seen to be about three miles astern. The captain at -once ordered extra steam to be put on, but owing to this having been -done too suddenly, one of her valve spindles was wrenched off, and she -lay helpless at the mercy of the chaser, who speedily came up and took -possession. - -She had on board a very valuable cargo of cotton, and in addition -$50,000 in specie belonging to the Confederate Government; this, -according to agreement with the Government, Doering proceeded to throw -overboard, but some of the crew, determined to have a finger in the -spoil, rushed aft and broke open the kegs. In the mêlée a quantity of -gold pieces were strewn among the cotton bales on deck, and when the -Northerners came on board they were very irate to think they had lost a -considerable portion of their prize money. The steamer was taken into -Philadelphia and condemned, and the crew were kept prisoners in New York -for several months. - -In addition to the worries and anxieties I have detailed we had to fight -that demon, yellow Jack, which raged with fearful mortality both at -Nassau and Wilmington. In Nassau I have counted seventeen funerals pass -my house before breakfast, and in one day I have attended interments of -three intimate friends. In Wilmington it was worse; in one season alone, -out of a total population of 6000, 2500 died. No wonder the authorities -were scared and imposed heavy penalties on us in the shape of -quarantine. On two occasions I have been in quarantine for fifty days at -a time—think of that, _you_ modern luxurious travellers, who growl if -_you_ are detained three days. - -On the first occasion out of a crew of thirty-two twenty-eight were laid -low, and we had seven deaths; only the captain, chief engineer, steward, -and myself were free from fever. On the second we had no sickness, and -only suffered from the ennui consequent upon such close confinement and -short rations, as latterly we had nothing but salt pork and sardines to -eat. We were only saved from a third dose of quarantine almost by a -miracle. - -It happened that the Southern Agent in Egypt had sent a very valuable -Arab horse to Nassau, as a present for Jefferson Davis. Heiliger, the -Confederate Agent there, asked me if I would take it in through the -blockade. I at once consented, and it was shipped on board the -_Banshee_. We got through all right, but when the health officer came on -board and ordered us to quarantine, I said: "If we have to go there, the -horse will certainly have to be destroyed, as we have no food for it." -Thereupon he telegraphed to Richmond, and the reply came back that the -_Banshee_ was to proceed to the town, land the horse, and return to -quarantine. When we were alongside the wharf a large number of our crew -jumped on shore and disappeared. I said to the General, who was a friend -of mine, "It is no use our going back to quarantine after this, you -either have the infection or not," and I induced him to telegraph again -to Richmond. The answer came back, "_Banshee_ must discharge and load as -quickly as possible, and proceed to sea; lend all assistance." - -The General acted on these instructions, and upon the third day we were -gaily proceeding down the river again with an outward cargo on board, -passing quite a fleet of steamers at the quarantine ground, whose crews -were gnashing their teeth. We got safely out and returned, after making -another trip, to find the same boats in quarantine, and, as it was -raised some three days after our arrival, we steamed up the river in -company, much to the disgust of their crews. - -Good old horse, he saved me from a dreary confinement in quarantine, and -made the owners of the _Banshee_ some £20,000 to £30,000 extra, but he -was nearly the cause of our all being put in a Northern prison and -losing our steamer. On a very still night, as we were running in and -creeping noiselessly through the hostile fleet, he commenced neighing -(smelling the land, I expect). In an instant two or three jackets were -thrown over his head; but it was too late; he had been heard on board a -cruiser very close to which we were passing, and she and two or three of -her consorts immediately opened fire upon us. We had the heels of them, -however, and our friend Colonel Lamb at Fort Fisher was soon protecting -us, playing over our heads with shell. - -On a subsequent occasion disaster might have overtaken the _Banshee_ -under somewhat similar circumstances had a cruiser happened to be near. -A game-cock which we kept on board as a pet suddenly began to crow. But -this time the disaster was to the game-cock and not to the _Banshee_, -for, pet as he was, his neck was promptly twisted. Such experiences as -these showed how easy it was to increase the risks of blockade-running; -absence of all avoidable noise at night was as essential as the -extinction of all lights on board ship. - - - - - CHAPTER VIII - - OUR FLEET - - First introduction to the _Will-o'-the-Wisp_—Making a dash for - it—A question of speed—Under heavy fire from both quarters—Run - ashore at full speed—An awkward predicament—All hands to the - pumps—Resort to desperate remedies—A struggle for sixty - hours—Sale of the _Will-o'-the-Wisp_—Her end—The _Wild Dayrell_—A - record performance—Loss of the _Wild Dayrell_—An incapable - Captain—The _Stormy Petrel_ and the _Wild Rover_. - - -The reason for my leaving the _Banshee_ was the arrival at Nassau of a -new steamer which my firm had sent out to me. This was the -_Will-o'-the-Wisp_, and great things were expected from her. She was -built on the Clyde, was a much larger and faster boat than the -_Banshee_, but shamefully put together, and most fragile. My first -introduction to her was seeing her appear off Nassau, and receiving a -message by the pilot boat, from Capper, the captain, to say that the -vessel was leaking badly and he dare not stop his engines, as they had -to be kept going in order to work the pumps. We brought her into the -harbour, and having beached her and afterwards made all necessary -repairs on the slipway, I decided to take a trip in her. - -As soon as the nights were sufficiently dark we made a start for -Wilmington, unfortunately meeting very bad weather and strong head -winds, which delayed us; the result was that instead of making out the -blockading fleet about midnight, as we had intended, when dawn was -breaking there were still no signs of them. Capper, the chief engineer, -and I then held a hurried consultation as to what we had better do. -Capper was for going to sea again, and if necessary returning to Nassau; -the weather was still threatening, our coal supply running short, and, -with a leaky ship beneath us, the engineer and I decided that the lesser -risk would be to make a dash for it. "All right," said Capper, "we'll go -on, but you'll get d——d well peppered!" - -We steamed cautiously on, making as little smoke as possible, whilst I -went to the masthead to take a look round: no land was in sight, but I -could make out in the dull morning light the heavy spars of the -blockading flagship right ahead of us, and soon after several other -masts became visible on each side of her. Picking out what appeared to -me to be the widest space between these, I signalled to the deck how to -steer, and we went steadily on—determined when we found we were -perceived to make a rush for it. No doubt our very audacity helped us -through, as for some time they took no notice, evidently thinking we -were one of their own chasers returning from sea to take up her station -for the day. - -At last, to my great relief, I saw Fort Fisher just appearing above the -horizon, although we knew that the perilous passage between these -blockaders must be made before we could come under the friendly -protection of its guns. Suddenly, we became aware that our enemy had -found us out; we saw two cruisers steaming towards one another from -either side of us, so as to intercept us at a given point before we -could get on the land side of them. It now became simply a question of -speed and immunity from being sunk by shot. Our little vessel quivered -again under the tremendous pressure with which she was being driven -through the water. - -An exciting time followed, as we and our two enemies rapidly converged -upon one point, others in the distance also hurrying up to assist them. -We were now near enough to be within range, and the cruiser on our port -side opened fire; his first shot carried away our flagstaff aft on which -our ensign had just been hoisted; his second tore through our forehold, -bulging out a plate on the opposite side. Bedding and blankets to stop -the leak were at once requisitioned, and we steamed on full speed under -a heavy fire from both quarters. Suddenly, puffs of smoke from the fort -showed us that Colonel Lamb, the commandant, was aware of what was going -on and was firing to protect us; a welcome proof that we were drawing -within range of his guns and on the landward side of our pursuers, who, -after giving us a few more parting shots, hauled off and steamed away -from within reach of the shells which we were rejoiced to see falling -thickly around them. - -We had passed through a most thrilling experience; at one time the -cruiser on our port side was only a hundred yards with her consort a -hundred and fifty away from us on the starboard, and it seemed a miracle -that their double fire had not completely sunk us. It certainly required -all one's nerve to stand upon the paddle-box, looking without flinching -almost into the muzzles of the guns, which were firing at us; and proud -we were of our crew, not a man of whom showed the white feather. Our -pilot, who showed no lack of courage at the time, became, however, -terribly excited as we neared the bar, and whether it was that the ship -steered badly, owing to being submerged forward, or from some mistake, -he ran her ashore whilst going at full speed. The result was a most -frightful shaking, which of course materially increased the leaks, and -we feared she would become a total wreck; fortunately the tide was -rising, and, through lightening her by throwing some of the cargo -overboard, we succeeded in getting her off and steamed up the river to -Wilmington, where we placed her on the mud. - -After repairing the shot holes and other damage, we were under the -impression that no further harm from running ashore had come to her, as -all leaks were apparently stopped and the ship was quite tight. The -result proved us to be sadly wrong on this point. After loading our -usual cargo we started down the river all right, and waited for -nightfall in order to cross the bar and run through the fleet. No sooner -had we crossed it and found ourselves surrounded by cruisers than the -chief engineer rushed on to the bridge, saying the water was already -over the stoke-hole plates, and he feared that the ship was sinking. At -the same moment a quantity of firewood which was stowed round one of the -funnels (and which was intended to eke out our somewhat scanty coal -supply) caught fire, and flames burst out. - -[Illustration: _WILL-O'-THE-WISP'S_ DASH FOR WILMINGTON. _To face page -106._] - -This placed us in a pretty predicament, as it showed our whereabouts to -two cruisers which were following us, one on each quarter. They at once -opened a furious cannonade upon us; however, although shells were -bursting all around and shot flying over us, all hands worked with a -will, and we soon extinguished the flames, which were acting as a -treacherous beacon to our foes. Fortunately the night was intensely -dark, and nothing could be seen beyond a radius of thirty or forty -yards, so, thanks to this, we were soon enabled, by altering our helm, -to give our pursuers the slip, whilst they probably kept on their -course. - -We had still the other enemy to deal with; but our chief engineer and -his staff had meanwhile been hard at work and had turned on the -"bilge-injection" and "donkey-pumps." Still, the leak was gaining upon -us, and it became evident that the severe shaking which the ship got -when run aground had started the plates in her bottom. The mud had been -sucked up when she lay in the river at Wilmington, thus temporarily -repairing the damage; but when she got into the sea-way the action of -the water opened them again. Even the steam pumps now could not prevent -the water from gradually increasing; four of our eight furnaces were -extinguished, and the firemen were working up to their middles in water. - -It was a critical time when daylight broke, dull and threatening. The -captain was at the wheel, and I at the mast-head (all other hands being -employed at the pumps, and even baling), when, not four miles off, I -sighted a cruiser broadside on. She turned round as if preparing to give -chase, and I thought we were done for, as we could not have got more -than three or four knots an hour out of our crippled boat. To my great -joy, however, I found our alarm was needless, for she evidently had not -seen us, and instead of heading turned her stern towards us and -disappeared into a thick bank of clouds. - -Still we were far from being out of danger, as the weather became worse -and worse and the wind increased in force until it was blowing almost a -gale. Things began to look as ugly as they could, and even Capper lost -hope: I shall never forget the expression on his face as he came up to -me and said, in his gruff voice, "I say, Mr. Taylor! the beggar's going, -the beggar's going," pointing vehemently downwards. "What the devil do -you mean!" I exclaimed. "Why, we are going to lose the ship and our -lives too," was the answer. It is not possible for any one unacquainted -with Capper to appreciate this scene. Sturdy, thickset, nearly as broad -as he was long, and with the gruffest manner but kindest heart,—although -a rough diamond and absolutely without fear. With the exception of -Steele he was the best blockade-running captain we had. - -In order to save the steamer and our lives we decided that desperate -remedies must be resorted to, so again the unlucky deck cargo had to be -sacrificed. The good effect of this was soon visible; we began to gain -on the water, and were able, by degrees, to relight our extinguished -fires. But the struggle continued to be a most severe one, for just when -we began to obtain a mastery over the water the donkey-engine broke -down, and before we could repair it the water increased sensibly, nearly -putting out our fires again. So the struggle went on for sixty hours, -when we were truly thankful to steam into Nassau harbour and beach the -ship. It was a very narrow escape, for within twenty minutes after -stopping her engines the vessel had sunk to the level of the water. - -I had the _Will-o'-the-Wisp_ raised, hauled up on the slip, and repaired -at an enormous expense before she was fit again for sea. Subsequently -she made several trips, but as I found her a constant source of delay -and expenditure I decided to sell her. After having her cobbled up with -plenty of putty and paint, I was fortunate enough to open negotiations -with some Jews with a view to her purchase. Having settled all -preliminaries we arranged for a trial trip, and after a very sumptuous -lunch I proceeded to run her over a measured mile for the benefit of the -would-be purchasers. I need scarcely mention that we subjected her -machinery to the utmost strain, bottling up steam to a pressure of which -our present Board of Trade, with its motherly care for our lives, would -express strong disapproval. The log line was whisked merrily over the -stern of the _Will-o'-the-Wisp_, with the satisfactory result that she -logged 17-1/2 knots. The Jews were delighted, so was I; and the bargain -was clinched. I fear, however, that their joy was short-lived; a few -weeks afterwards when attempting to steam into Galveston she was run -ashore and destroyed by the Federals. When we ran into that port a few -months afterwards in the second _Banshee_ we saw her old bones on the -beach. - -After this I made a trip in a new boat that had just been sent out to -me, the _Wild Dayrell_. And a beauty she was, very strong, a perfect -sea-boat, and remarkably well engined. - -Our voyage in was somewhat exciting, as about three o'clock in the -afternoon, while making for the Fort Caswell entrance (not Fort Fisher), -we were sighted by a Federal cruiser, who immediately gave chase. We -soon found however, that we had the heels of our friend, but it left us -the alternative of going out to sea or being chased straight into the -jaws of the blockaders off the bar before darkness came on. Under these -circumstances what course to take was a delicate point to decide, but we -solved the problem by slowing down just sufficiently to keep a few miles -ahead of our chaser, hoping that darkness would come on before we made -the fleet or they discovered us. Just as twilight was drawing in we made -them out; cautiously we crept on, feeling certain that our friend astern -was rapidly closing up on us. Every moment we expected to hear shot -whistling around us. So plainly could we see the sleepy blockaders that -it seemed almost impossible we should escape their notice. Whether they -did not expect a runner to make an attempt so early in the evening, or -whether it was sheer good luck on our part, I know not, but we ran -through the lot without being seen or without having a shot fired at us. - -Our anxieties, however, were not yet over, as our pilot (a new hand) -lost his reckoning and put us ashore on the bar. Fortunately the flood -tide was rising fast, and we refloated, bumping over stern first in a -most inglorious fashion, and anchored off Fort Caswell before 7 P.M.—a -record performance. Soon after anchoring and while enjoying the usual -cocktail we saw a great commotion among the blockaders, who were -throwing up rockets and flashing lights, evidently in answer to signals -from the cruiser which had so nearly chased us into their midst. - -When we came out we met with equally good luck, as the night was pitch -dark and the weather very squally. No sooner did we clear the bar than -we put our helm aport, ran down the coast, and then stood boldly -straight out to sea without interference: and it was perhaps as well we -had such good fortune, as before this I had discovered that our pilot -was of a very indifferent calibre, and that courage was not our -captain's most prominent characteristic. The poor _Wild Dayrell_ -deserved a better commander, and consequently a better fate than befell -her. She was lost on her second trip, entirely through the want of pluck -on the part of her captain, who ran her ashore some miles to the north -of Fort Fisher; as _he_ said in order to avoid capture,—to my mind a -fatal excuse for any blockade-running captain to make. 'Twere far better -to be sunk by shot and escape in the boats if possible. I am quite -certain that if Steele had commanded her on that trip she would never -have been put ashore, and the chances are that she would have come -through all right. - -I never forgave myself for not unshipping the captain on my return to -Nassau; my only excuse was that there was no good man available to -replace him with, and he was a particular protégé of my chiefs. But such -considerations should not have weighed, and if I had had the courage of -my convictions it is probable the _Wild Dayrell_ would have proved as -successful as any of our steamers. - -About this time I had two other new boats sent out, the _Stormy Petrel_ -and the _Wild Rover_, both good boats, very fast, and distinct -improvements on the _Banshee_ No. 1 and _Will-o'-the-Wisp_. The _Stormy -Petrel_ had, however, very bad luck, as after getting safely in and -anchoring behind Fort Fisher she settled as the tide went down on a -submerged anchor, the fluke of which went through her bottom, and -despite all efforts she became a total wreck: this was one of the most -serious and unlucky losses I had. The _Wild Rover_ was more successful, -as she made five round trips, on one of which I went in her. She -survived the war, and I eventually sent her to South America, where she -was sold for a good sum. - - - - - CHAPTER IX - - BERMUDA - - Yellow fever—The _Night Hawk_—A nervous pilot—Under heavy - fire—Aground on Wilmington bar—Boarded by the Federals—The - _Night Hawk_ set on fire—An Irishman's ruse—To the rescue - of the _Night Hawk_—The close of her career—A hard week's - work—Fever and ague—A waste of expensive material—A famous - Confederate spy—A diabolical idea. - - -We had in the early part of the war a depôt at Bermuda as well as at -Nassau, and Frank Hurst was at that time my brother agent there. I went -there twice, once in the first _Banshee_, and once from Halifax, after a -trip to Canada in order to recruit from a bad attack of yellow fever; -but I never liked Bermuda, and later on we transferred Hurst and his -agency to Nassau, which was more convenient in many ways and nearer -Wilmington. Moreover I had to face the contingency, which afterwards -occurred, of the Atlantic ports being closed and our being driven to the -Gulf. The Mudians, however, were a kind, hospitable lot, and made a -great deal of us, and there was a much larger naval and military society -stationed there than in Nassau. They had suffered from a severe outbreak -of yellow fever, and the 3rd Buffs, who were in garrison at the time, -had been almost decimated by it. - -It was on my second trip to the island that one of the finest boats we -ever possessed, called the _Night Hawk_, came out, and I concluded to -run in with her. She was a new side-wheel steamer of some 600 tons -gross, rigged as a fore and aft schooner, with two funnels, 220 feet -long, 21-1/2 feet beam, and 11 feet in depth; a capital boat for the -work, fast, strong, of light draught, and a splendid sea-boat—a great -merit in a blockade-runner that sometimes has to be forced in all -weathers. The _Night Hawk's_ career was a very eventful one, and she -passed an unusually lively night off Fort Fisher on her first attempt. - -Soon after getting under weigh our troubles began. We ran ashore outside -Hamilton, one of the harbours of Bermuda, and hung on a coral reef for a -couple of hours. There loomed before us the dismal prospect of delay for -repairs, or, still worse, the chance of springing a leak and -experiencing such difficulties and dangers as we had undergone on the -_Will-o'-the-Wisp_, but fortunately we came off without damage and were -able to proceed on our voyage. - -Another anxiety now engrossed my mind: the captain was an entirely new -hand, and nearly all the crew were green at the work; moreover, the -Wilmington pilot was quite unknown to me, and I could see from the -outset that he was very nervous and badly wanting in confidence. What -would I not have given for our trusty Tom Burroughs. However, we had to -make the best of it, as, owing to the demand, the supply of competent -pilots was not nearly sufficient, and towards the close of the blockade -the so-called pilots were no more than boatmen or men who had been -trading in and out of Wilmington or Charleston in coasters. -Notwithstanding my fears, all went well on the way across, and the -_Night_ _Hawk_ proved to be everything that could be desired in speed -and seaworthiness. - -We had sighted unusually few craft, and nothing eventful occurred until -the third night. Soon after midnight we found ourselves uncomfortably -near a large vessel. It was evident that we had been seen, as we heard -them beating to quarters and were hailed. We promptly sheered off and -went full speed ahead, greeted by a broadside which went across our -stern. - -When we arrived within striking distance of Wilmington bar the pilot was -anxious to go in by Smith's inlet, but as he acknowledged that he knew -very little about it I concluded it was better to keep to the new inlet -passage, where, at all events, we should have the advantage of our good -friend Lamb to protect us; and I felt that as I myself knew the place so -well, this was the safest course to pursue. We were comparatively well -through the fleet, although heavily fired at, and arrived near to the -bar, passing close by two Northern launches which were lying almost upon -it. Unfortunately it was dead low water, and although I pressed the -pilot to give our boat a turn round, keeping under weigh, and to wait a -while until the tide made, he was so demoralised by the firing we had -gone through and the nearness of the launches, which were constantly -throwing up rockets, that he insisted upon putting her at the bar, and, -as I feared, we grounded on it forward, and with the strong flood-tide -quickly broached-to, broadside on to the Northern breaker. We kept our -engines going for some time—but to no purpose, as we found we were only -being forced by the tide more on to the breakers. Therefore we stopped, -and all at once found our friends, the two launches, close aboard: they -had discovered we were ashore, and had made up their minds to attack us. - -At once all was in confusion; the pilot and signalman rushed to the -dinghy, lowered it, and made good their escape; the captain lost his -head and disappeared; and the crews of the launches, after firing -several volleys, one of which slightly wounded me, rowed in to board us -on each sponson. Just at this moment I suddenly recollected that our -private despatches, which ought to have been thrown overboard, were -still in the starboard life-boat. I rushed to it, but found the lanyard -to which the sinking weight was attached was foul of one of the thwarts; -I tugged and tugged, but to no purpose, so I sung out for a knife which -was handed to me by a fireman, and I cut the line and pitched the bag -overboard as the Northerners jumped on board. Eighteen months afterwards -that fireman accosted me in the Liverpool streets, saying, "Mr. Taylor, -do you remember my lending you a knife." "Of course I do," I replied, -giving him a tip at which he was mightily pleased: poor fellow, he had -been thirteen months in a Northern prison. - -When the Northerners jumped on board they were terribly excited. I don't -know whether they expected resistance or not, but they acted more like -maniacs than sane men, firing their revolvers and cutting right and left -with their cutlasses. I stood in front of the men on the poop and said -that we surrendered, but all the reply I received from the lieutenant -commanding was, "Oh, you surrender, do you?..." accompanied by a string -of the choicest Yankee oaths and sundry reflections upon my parentage; -whereupon he fired his revolver twice point blank at me not two yards -distant: it was a miracle he did not kill me, as I heard the bullets -whiz past my head. This roused my wrath, and I expostulated in the -strongest terms upon his firing on unarmed men; he then cooled down, -giving me into the charge of two of his men, one of whom speedily -possessed himself of my binoculars. Fortunately, as I had no guard to my -watch, they didn't discover it, and I have it still. - -Finding they could not get the ship off, and afraid, I presume, of Lamb -and his men coming to our rescue, the Federals commenced putting the -captain (who had been discovered behind a boat!) and the crew into the -boats; they then set the ship on fire fore and aft, and she soon began -to blaze merrily. At this moment one of our firemen, an Irishman, sung -out, "Begorra, we shall all be in the air in a minute, the ship is full -of gunpowder!" No sooner did the Northern sailors hear this than a panic -seized them, and they rushed to their boats, threatening to leave their -officers behind if they did not come along. The men who were holding me -dropped me like a hot potato, and to my great delight jumped into their -boat, and away they rowed as fast as they could, taking all our crew, -with the exception of the second officer, one of the engineers, four -seamen and myself, as prisoners. - -We chuckled at our lucky escape, but we were not out of the wood yet, as -we had only a boat half stove in, in which to reach the shore through -some 300 yards of surf, and we were afraid at any moment that our -enemies finding there was no powder on board might return. We made a -feeble effort to put the fire out, but it had gained too much headway, -and although I offered the men with me £50 apiece to stand by me and -persevere, they were too demoralised and began to lower the shattered -boat, swearing that they would leave me behind if I didn't come with -them. There was nothing for it but to go, yet the passage through the -boiling surf seemed more dangerous to my mind than remaining on the -burning ship. The blockaders immediately opened fire when they knew -their own men had left the _Night Hawk_, and that she was burning; and -Lamb's great shells hurtling over our heads, and those from the -blockading fleet bursting all around us, formed a weird picture. In -spite of the hail of shot and shell and the dangers of the boiling surf, -we reached the shore in safety, wet through, and glad I was in my state -of exhaustion from loss of blood and fatigue to be welcomed by Lamb's -orderly officer. - -The poor _Night Hawk_ was now a sheet of flame, and I thought it was all -up with her; and indeed it would have been had it not been for Lamb, -who, calling for volunteers from his garrison, sent off two or three -boat loads of men to her, and when I came down to the beach, after -having my wound dressed and a short rest, I was delighted to find the -fire had sensibly decreased. I went on board, and after some hours of -hard work the fire was extinguished. But what a wreck she was! - -Luckily with the rising tide she had bumped over the bank, and was now -lying on the main beach much more accessible and sheltered. Still it -seemed an almost hopeless task to save her; but we were not going to be -beaten without a try, so, having ascertained how she lay and the -condition she was in, I resolved to have an attempt to get her dry, and -telegraphed to Wilmington for assistance. - -Our agent sent me down about 300 negroes to assist in baling and -pumping, and I set them to work at once. As good luck would have it, my -finest steamer, _Banshee_ No. 2, which had just been sent out, ran in -the next night. She was a great improvement on the first _Banshee_, -having a sea-speed of 15-1/2 knots, which was considered very fast in -those days; her length was 252 feet, beam 31 feet, depth 11 feet, her -registered tonnage 439 tons, and her crew consisted of fifty-three in -all. I at once requisitioned her for aid in the shape of engineers and -men, so that now I had everything in the way of hands I could want. Our -great difficulty was that the _Night Hawk's_ anchors would not hold for -us to get a fair haul at her. - -But here again I was to be in luck. For the very next night the -_Falcon_, commanded by poor Hewett, in attempting to run in stuck fast -upon the bank over which we had bumped, not one hundred yards to -windward of us, and broke in two. It is an ill wind that blows nobody -good, and Hewett's mischance proved the saving of our ship. Now we had a -hold for our chain cables by making them fast to the wreck, and were -able gradually to haul her off by them a little during each tide, until -on the seventh day we had her afloat in a gut between the bank and the -shore, and at high water we steamed under our own steam gaily up the -river to Wilmington. - -Considering the appliances we had and the circumstances under which we -were working, the saving of that steamer was certainly a wonderful -performance, as we were under fire almost the whole time. The -Northerners, irritated, no doubt, by their failure to destroy the ship, -used to shell us by day and send in boats by night; Lamb, however, put a -stop to the latter annoyance by lending us a couple of companies to -defend us, and one night, when our enemies rowed close up with the -intention of boarding us, they were glad to sheer off with the loss of a -lieutenant and several men. In spite of all the shot and shell by day -and the repeated attacks at night, we triumphed in the end, and, after -having the _Night Hawk_ repaired at a huge cost and getting together a -crew, I gave May, a friend of mine, command of her, and he ran her out -successfully with a valuable cargo, which made her pay, notwithstanding -all her bad luck and the amount spent upon her. Poor May, he was -afterwards governor of Perth gaol, and is dead now,—a high-toned, -sensitive gentleman, mightily proud of his ship, lame duck as she was. - -When she was burning, our utmost efforts were of course directed towards -keeping her engine-room and boilers amidships intact, and confining the -flames to both ends; in this we were successful, mainly owing to the -fact of her having thwart-ship bunkers: but as regards the rest of the -steamer she was a complete wreck; her sides were all corrugated with the -heat, and her stern so twisted that her starboard quarter was some two -feet higher than her port one, and not a particle of woodwork was left -unconsumed. Owing to the limited resources of Wilmington as regards -repairs, I found it impossible to have this put right, so her sides were -left as they were, and the new deck put on on the slope I have -described, and caulked with cotton, as no oakum was procurable. When -completed she certainly was a queer-looking craft, but as tight as a -bottle and as seaworthy as ever, although I doubt if any Lloyd's -surveyor would have passed her. But as a matter of fact she came across -the Atlantic, deeply immersed with her coal supply, through some very -bad weather, without damage, and was sold for a mere song, to be -repaired and made into a passenger boat for service on the East Coast, -where she ran for many years with success. - -It had been a hard week for me, as I had no clothes except what I had on -when we were boarded,—my servant very cleverly, as he imagined, having -thrown my portmanteau into the man-of-war's boat when he thought I was -going to be captured, and all I had in the world was the old serge suit -in which I stood. Being without a change and wet through every day and -night for six days consecutively, it is little wonder that I caught -fever and ague, of which I nearly died in Richmond, and which -distressing complaint stuck to me for more than eighteen months. I shall -never forget, on going to a store in Wilmington for a new rig-out (which -by the bye cost $1200), the look of horror on the storekeeper's face -when I told him the coat I had purchased would do if he cut a foot off -it: he thought it such a waste of expensive material. - -A very unfortunate occurrence took place incident upon the wreck of the -_Falcon_. She had on board as passenger a Mrs. Greenhow, a famous -Confederate spy, who, when the steamer struck, pleaded hard to be put -ashore, fearing no doubt capture by the Federals. Hewett was most -energetic in his efforts to dissuade her, but at last manned a boat for -her, which was upset in the breakers, and she alone was drowned. It was -I who found her body on the beach at daylight, and afterwards took it up -to Wilmington. A remarkably handsome woman she was, with features which -showed much character. Although one cannot altogether admire the -profession of a spy, still there was no doubt that she imagined herself -in following such a profession to be serving her country in the only way -open to her. - -Surely in war the feelings of both men and women become blunted as to -the niceties of what is right or wrong. I well remember on one occasion -an eminent Confederate officer bringing me an infernal machine which he -had invented, a kind of shell exactly like a lump of coal, with a -request that some should be placed on each of our steamers, and that, in -case of capture, they should be put in the coal bunkers so as to be -thrown into the furnaces by the prize crew. I told him that this was not -my idea of making war, and moreover mildly suggested that, even if it -were, he seemed to have forgotten that our crew would probably be on -board as prisoners and be blown up into the air with their captors. - -Another eminent Confederate military doctor proposed to me during the -prevalence of the yellow fever epidemic that he should ship by our boats -to Nassau and Bermuda sundry cases of infected clothing, which were to -be sent to the North with the idea of spreading the disease there. This -was too much, and I shouted at him, not in the choicest language, to -leave the office. It is difficult to conceive of such a diabolical idea, -not only to spread havoc among combatants, but among innocent women and -children, being present in an educated man's mind. - - - - - CHAPTER X - - EXPERIENCES ASHORE IN DIXIE'S LAND - - Railway travelling in the Southern States—The conductor's - car—Carrying despatches—A weary and anxious wait—Under fire - in a train—Excitement in Richmond—General Lee's headquarter - staff—The Confederate Government—Privations in Richmond—The - bitterest rebels of the war—A startling dinner bill—Provisioning - General Lee's army—Admiral Porter's first attack on Fort - Fisher—The _Banshee_ No. 2 runs through the Federal - Fleet—General and Mrs. Randolph—A magnificent cargo. - - -The dangers and discomforts at sea were not the only excitements which a -blockade-runner experienced. As the blockade-running fleet of which I -had charge extended, not only was an increase in my office staff in -Nassau entailed, but a good deal of travelling by rail to and fro -between Wilmington and Richmond, for the purpose of negotiations with -the heads of departments there regarding the contracts we had with them, -and upon various other matters. - -These trips involved an enormous amount of fatigue, worry, excitement, -and even danger, as it was no easy matter latterly to get in and out of -the beleaguered city safely; the railway journey itself, which often -extended over a couple of days and nights, was an affair of great -discomfort, the permanent way being anything but permanent, and the -rolling stock too often rolling elsewhere than upon the rails. It was -considered a joke in those days to assert that a journey from Wilmington -to Richmond was almost as dangerous as an engagement with the enemy. The -only place on the train where any approach to comfort was obtainable was -in the conductor's car, the entrée to which I generally contrived to -secure, aided by a little judicious palm-greasing and the possession of -a brandy bottle or two; but the latter had its disadvantages, as the -word was soon passed round that there was a Britisher on board the train -with some _real_ good brandy. And it was considered the duty of every -one to whom I had stood a drink to introduce a friend who wanted one -badly; consequently the brandy was generally used up on the outward -trip, and there was little left for the return. But it was great -pleasure to be able to quench the poor fellows' thirst, more especially -the wounded, with whom the cars were often filled to overflowing. - -As a rule my good friend Heiliger, Confederate Agent at Nassau, used to -entrust me with despatches, the carriage of which provided me with a -pass which much facilitated my journeys; but on one occasion towards the -end of the war the possession of these despatches made it a little -awkward for me. I had arrived one afternoon at Petersburg, which is -about fifteen miles from Richmond, and found a tremendous hubbub going -on. Butler, having attacked the place with his corps, hoped to take it -and then turn the Confederate flank. Although it was but poorly -defended, being held by some 1500 recruits and boys, they kept their -ground, entrenched about a mile outside the town. - -It was while this first attack was in progress that I arrived on the -scene, and recognising the gravity of the position, if the place were -taken and despatches found upon me (an Englishman), I went to the -Commissary-General and asked him to provide me with a horse to take me -to Richmond. He said this was impossible, but that they had telegraphed -for reinforcements, and that Hoke's division was expected by train in an -hour or two, and I had better go to the depôt and there wait my chance -of getting the empty return train. It was a weary and anxious wait, as -we could hear the attack going on and feared the defence would every -moment be overpowered. However, a short time before daylight we heard -the train approaching, and soon afterwards it steamed in, crowded even -on the roofs of carriages by Hoke's men, who were promptly detrained and -hurried off at the double to the scene of action—a welcome -reinforcement. I got in the train, and we started for Richmond. We had -only proceeded a few miles when, in the gray dawn, we saw a body of -Butler's cavalry galloping as hard as they could to intercept us and -tear up the line in front. Our engineer, however, equal to the occasion, -put on full steam, and we just managed to get ahead of them. Seeing they -were too late, they drew up alongside the track and potted at us with -their carbines, without, however, wounding any one. They then at once -tore up the rails in our rear. - -Being under fire in a train was a curious experience, and perhaps more -exciting for me than the others, as I had my hand on the blessed -despatches, uncertain what to do. Fortunately we arrived safely at -Richmond, and I was very glad to be rid of my responsibilities. This was -the last train that got in on the direct Wilmington line; after that, in -order to get in and out, we had to make a long detour viâ Danville. - -I found Richmond in a great state of excitement; the Northern attack had -become more animated; the investment was more stringent; the booming of -heavy guns was heard night and day; and hourly reports were brought from -the front. It was upon this visit that I accompanied Lee's Headquarter -staff on the celebrated march along the south side of the James river, -when he marched rapidly to Petersburg in order to confront the -Northerners' sudden change of front on that town. Upon a previous -occasion I had made the acquaintance of the great General, and on this -one I breakfasted with him. Shortly afterwards the march, which was very -exciting, began. We were constantly in close touch with the enemy,—at -one time marching through the woods, which were being shelled by the -Northern gunboats in the James river—at another time skirmishing at -close quarters with the Federals' flank; but as I had seen most of the -seven days' fighting round Richmond I felt almost an old campaigner. It -was a hard day, as, after being fifteen hours in the saddle without -food, I was obliged to return to Richmond on important business that -night, instead of bivouacking with the Headquarters staff, as I was -pressed to do. Wearied and almost exhausted I found on my arrival in the -city that all I could obtain at the hotel was some corn bread and cold -bacon washed down with water. - -The following is an extract from a letter dated 15th January 1865, -written to my chiefs after this visit to Richmond. - - - Altogether I think the Confederate Government is going - to the _bad_, and if they don't take care the Confederacy - will go too. I never saw things look so gloomy, and I think - spring will finish them unless they make a change for - the better. Georgia is gone, and they say Sherman is - going to seize Branchville; if he does, Charleston and - Wilmington will be done—and if Wilmington goes Lee - has to evacuate Richmond and retire into Tennessee. He - told me the other day, that if they did not keep Wilmington - he could not save Richmond. They nearly had Fort Fisher—they - were within sixty yards of it—and had they pushed - on as they ought to have done could have taken it. It - was a terrific bombardment; they estimate that about - 40,000 shells were sent into it. Colonel Lamb behaved - like a brick—splendidly. I got the last of the Whitworths - in, and they are now at the Fort. They are very hard up - for food in the field, but the _Banshee_ has this time 600 - barrels of pork and 1500 boxes of meat—enough to feed - Lee's army for a month. - -The above extract is interesting, as it showed that my diagnosis of the -position of affairs, written in January 1865, proved correct as to what -actually happened two or three months later. Sherman _did_ capture -Branchville, and in consequence Charleston and Wilmington. When the -latter port fell Lee _was_ forced to evacuate Richmond and retire -towards Tennessee and eventually capitulate. Had Charleston and -Wilmington been retained and blockade-running encouraged, instead of -having obstacles thrown in the way, I am convinced that the condition of -affairs would have been altered very materially, and perhaps would have -led to the South obtaining what it had shed so much blood to gain, viz. -its independence. No doubt at that critical time the North was making -its last supreme effort, and, had it failed, negotiations would probably -have been opened up with a view to peace. - -The privations of the regular residents in Richmond in those days were -very great, as food of all kinds was very expensive; but all bore their -troubles without a murmur, and I think there was more enthusiasm -displayed there than in any other city in the South; probably because -the people, with the enemy at their gates, were always in close touch -with them, and also because there was such a large female element in -society there, for the ladies of the South were proverbially the -staunchest and bitterest rebels of the war. Of course money still -purchased most things, and we blockade-runners, who were well supplied -with coin, managed to live in comparative comfort and at times even -fared sumptuously. I remember a great dinner I gave to a few heads of -departments; it was a banquet no one need have been ashamed of. But oh -the bill!—a little over $5000 (Confederate) for a dinner to fourteen. -When one has to pay $150 a bottle for champagne, $120 for sherry or -madeira, and as much in proportion for the viands, the account soon runs -up. However, it was a great success, and well worth the cost. - -That morning I had met by appointment the Commissary-General, who -divulged to me under promise of secrecy that Lee's army was in terrible -straits, and had in fact rations only for about thirty days. He asked me -if I could help him; I said I would do my best, and after some -negotiations he undertook to pay me a profit of 350 per cent upon any -provisions and meat I could bring in within the next three weeks! I had -then, discharging in Wilmington, the _Banshee_ No. 2, which had just -been sent out to replace the first _Banshee_, and in which I had run the -blockade inwards. I telegraphed instructions to have her made ready for -sea with all speed and await my arrival. After a somewhat exciting and -lengthy journey of three days and nights, owing to having to go round by -Danville, I reached Wilmington, successfully ran the blockade out, -purchased my cargo of provisions, etc. at Nassau for about £6000 (for -which eventually I was paid over £27,000), and, after a most exciting -run in, landed the same in Wilmington within eighteen days after leaving -Richmond. - -In the interim between our leaving Wilmington and our return, Porter's -fleet had made an unsuccessful attack upon Fort Fisher, and he was just -then at the time of our appearance upon the scene concluding his attack -and re-embarking his beaten troops. When morning broke and we were near -the fort we counted sixty-four vessels that we had passed through. After -being heavily fired into at daybreak by several gunboats (the fort being -unable to protect us as usual, owing to nearly all its guns having been -put out of action in the attack of the two previous days), it was an -exciting moment as we crossed the bar in safety, cheered by the -garrison, some 2000 strong, who knew we had provisions on board for the -relief of their comrades in Virginia. - -I wrote under date of 15th January 1865 to my chiefs at home with -reference to this trip: - - - I went over in the _Banshee_ and had an exciting time of - it; we arrived off the bar when Porter's vast fleet was there, - and I think the Confederate Trading Company ought to - be proud of their two vessels (_Banshee_ and _Wild Rover_) - both running through that immense fleet and getting safely - in. The _Banshee_ was out in front of them all for half an - hour after daylight, as we were rather late and could not get - up to the bar before. They said at Fort Fisher that it was - a beautiful sight to see the little _Banshee_ manœuvring in - front of the whole fleet. They sent some vessels in to - pepper us, but every shot missed, and we got in safely. - Porter's fleet left that evening, and I think they have given - up the attack for a time. - -I shall never forget that trip. We sailed from Nassau at dusk on the -evening before Christmas day, but were only just outside the harbour -when our steam pipe split and we had to return. As it was hopeless on -account of the moon to make the attempt unless we could get away next -day, I was in despair and thought it was all up with my 350 per cent -profit. After long trying in vain to find some one to undertake the -necessary repairs, owing to its being Christmas day, I found at last a -Yankee, who said: "Well _sir_, its only a question of price." I said -"Name yours," and he replied "Well I guess $400 for three clamps would -be fair." I said "All right, if finished by six o'clock": he set to -work, and we made all arrangements to start. Shortly after six the work -was finished, but the black pilot then declared he couldn't take her out -until the tide turned, there being no room to turn her in the harbour. -As it was a question of hours I said, "Back her out." He grinned and -said, "Perhaps do plenty damage." "Never mind," said I, "try it"—and we -did, with the result that we came plump into the man-of-war lying at the -entrance of the harbour (officers all on deck ready to go down to their -Christmas dinner), and ground along her side, smashing two of her boats -in, but doing ourselves little damage. "Goodbye," I shouted; "a merry -Christmas; send the bill in for the boats." Away we went clear, and -fortunate it was we did so, as we only arrived off Wilmington just in -time to run through Porter's fleet before daybreak. - -The trip out was equally exciting, as I had as passengers General -Randolph, ex-Secretary of State for War, who was going to Europe -invalided, and his wife. I did not want to take them, as the _Banshee_ -had practically no accommodation whatever, particularly for ladies. -However, _she_ had such a good character for safety, that they pleaded -hard to be taken, and I at last consented, though I did not like at all -the responsibility of having a lady on board. I was determined, however, -to make Mrs. Randolph as safe as possible, so told the stevedore to keep -a square space between the cotton bales on deck, into which she could -retire in case the firing became hot. And hot it did become. Running -down with a strong ebb tide through the Smith's inlet channel, we -suddenly found a gunboat in the middle of the channel on the bar. It was -too late to stop, so we put her at it, almost grazing the gunboat's -sides and receiving her broadside point blank. Mrs. Randolph had retired -to her place of safety, but she told me afterwards that, alarmed as she -was, she could not help laughing when, after she had been there only an -instant, my coloured servant, who had evidently fixed upon the place as -appearing to be the most safe, jumped right on the top of her, his teeth -chattering through fear. How we laughed the next morning, and how poor -Sam got chaffed, but he became quite a cool hand, and when we were -running in, in daylight, in the _Will-o-the-Wisp_ (as I have already -related), and the shot were coming thick, Sam appeared upon the bridge -with his usual "Coffee Sar!" - -After we had got rid of our friend on the bar, we were heavily peppered -by her consorts outside, from whom we received no damage, but we fell in -with very bad weather, and the ship was under water most of the time. -Right glad I was to land my passengers, who were half dead through -sea-sickness, exposure, and fatigue. - -Although it was a hard trip it paid well, as we had on board coming out -a most magnificent cargo, a great deal of it Sea Island cotton, the -profit upon which and the provisions I had taken in amounted to over -£85,000—not bad work for about twenty days! - - - - - CHAPTER XI - - HAVANA AND GALVESTON - - The most expensive city in the world—An adventurous trip—A - furious gale in the gulf-stream—A run to Galveston—A worthless - pilot—A "Norther"—Drifting in the middle of a blockading - squadron—An old friend again—The _Banshee_ nearly - lost—Uncomfortably close quarters—A choice of alternatives—A - reckless undertaking—Galveston—A scarcity of cotton—A trip - to Houston—A sporting conductor and engine-driver—The execution - of a deserter—Return to Nassau—Ending of the war—A disastrous - liquidation—Home. - - -Havana was a great blockade-running centre to and from the Gulf ports, -but until Wilmington was closed I did not attempt to utilise it, for -many reasons preferring Nassau and the last named port. I went over -there, however, several times, partly on business, and partly on -pleasure, and a lovely city it was. Cuba was then in the heyday of -success, and no one who had not visited its capital could have imagined -that such a gay and beautiful city existed in the West Indies. Money -seemed no object. And fortunately there was plenty, for everything was -extravagantly dear, and I should think that at that time it was one of -the most if not the most expensive city in the world to live in. - -To us blockade-runners, accustomed to the hard life in the South and the -contracted surroundings of Nassau, Havana appeared like Paradise; good -hotels and casinos, a capital theatre, magnificent equipages, military -bands, handsome women, and, last but not least, the lavish and genial -hospitality dispensed by our Consul-General, Mr. Crawford, and his -charming daughters at their house, "Buenos Ayres," made a residence in -Havana like a rest in an oasis to the weary traveller of the desert. But -it was not all pleasure, as far as I was concerned. I had my business -with its anxieties to attend to, and on one of my visits I had a rather -adventurous trip to Nassau in a small schooner which I had chartered to -convey some boiler tubes there. Being very anxious to reach Nassau -quickly, I decided to go in her instead of waiting for the mail steamer -which left a few days later. - -I made a start in the small craft (her size can be imagined when I state -that she was a man-of-war's pinnace raised upon) manned by nine niggers. -The first day out we encountered a furious gale in the Gulf-stream, and -it is a marvel our little craft lived through it, for a fearful sea was -running. However, she proved an excellent sea-boat, and when the gale -subsided we found ourselves on the Bahama banks becalmed; for nine days -we drifted helplessly over them, suffering agonies from the heat, -hunger, and thirst, as we had only laid in provisions for about four -days, and to make matters worse the bung had been left out of our -freshwater cask and in the gale the water was rendered undrinkable by -the salt water washing over it. Fortunately I had laid in a supply of a -dozen of claret and a dozen of beer, and this was all we had to divide -between us; however, everything has an end, and on the ninth day we had -a spanking breeze which carried us in to Nassau, but not until we had -been passed about twenty miles outside by the mail steamer in which I -could have come, and whose captain, recognising me on board the -schooner, jeered at me from his bridge. - -When Wilmington was on the point of falling there was nothing for it but -to transfer our operations to Galveston, and to accomplish this I took -the _Banshee_ No. 2 over to Havana with a valuable cargo, accompanied by -Frank Hurst, in order to make an attempt to run into Galveston: this -proved to be my last trip, but it was far from being the least exciting. -When all was ready we experienced the greatest difficulty in finding a -Galveston pilot. Though, owing to the high rate of pay, numbers of men -were to be found ready to offer their services, it was extremely hard to -obtain competent men. After considerable delay we had to content -ourselves at last with a man who _said_ he knew all about the port, but -who turned out to be absolutely worthless. We then made a start, and -with the exception of meeting with the most violent thunderstorm, in -which the lightning was something awful, nothing extraordinary occurred -on our passage across the Gulf of Mexico, and we scarcely saw a -sail—very different from our experiences between Nassau and Wilmington, -when it was generally a case of "sail on the port bow" or "steamer right -ahead" at all hours of the day. - -The third evening after leaving Havana we had run our distance, and, on -heaving the lead and finding that we were within a few miles of the -shore, we steamed cautiously on in order to try and make out the -blockading squadron or the land. It was a comparatively calm and very -dark night, just the one for the purpose, but within an hour all had -changed and it commenced to blow a regular "Norther," a wind which is -very prevalent on that coast. Until then I had no idea what a "Norther" -meant; first rain came down in torrents, then out of the inky blackness -of clouds and rain came furious gusts, until a hurricane was blowing -against which, notwithstanding that we were steaming at full speed, we -made little or no way, and although the sea was smooth our decks were -swept by white foam and spray. Suddenly we made out some dark objects -all round us, and found ourselves drifting helplessly among the ships of -the blockading squadron, which were steaming hard to their anchors, and -at one moment we were almost jostling two of them; whether they knew -what we were, or mistook us for one of themselves matters not; they were -too much occupied about their own safety to attempt to interfere. - -As to attempt to get into Galveston that night would have been madness, -we let the _Banshee_ drift and, when we thought we were clear of the -fleet, we steamed slowly seaward, after a while shaping a course so as -to make the land about thirty miles to the south-west at daylight. We -succeeded in doing this and quietly dropped our anchor in perfectly calm -water, the "Norther" having subsided almost as quickly as it had risen. -Having seen enough of our pilot to realise that he was no good whatever, -we decided after a conference to lie all day where we were, keeping a -sharp look-out and steam handy, and determined as evening came on to -creep slowly up the coast until we made out the blockading fleet, then -to anchor again and make a bold dash at daylight for our port. - -All went well; we were unmolested during the day and got under weigh -towards evening, passing close to a wreck which we recognised as our old -friend the _Will-o'-the-Wisp_, which had been driven ashore and lost on -the very first trip she made after I had sold her. Immediately -afterwards we very nearly lost our own ship too. Seeing a post of -Confederate soldiers close by on the beach, we determined to steam close -in and communicate with them in order to learn all about the tactics of -the blockaders and our exact distance from Galveston. We backed her -close in to the breakers in order to speak, but when the order was given -to go ahead she declined to move, and the chief engineer reported that -something had gone wrong with the cylinder valve, and that she must -heave to for repairs. It was an anxious moment; the _Banshee_ had barely -three fathoms beneath her, and her stern was almost in the white water. -We let go the anchor, but in the heavy swell it failed to hold: the -pilot was in a helpless state of flurry when he found that we were -drifting slowly but steadily towards the shore, but Steele's presence of -mind never for one moment deserted him. The comparatively few minutes -which occupied the engineers in temporarily remedying the defect seemed -like hours in the presence of the danger momentarily threatening us. -When, at length, the engineers managed to turn her ahead we on the -bridge were greatly relieved to see her point seawards and clear the -breakers. I have often thought since, if a disaster had happened and we -had lost the ship, how stupid we should have been thought by people at -home. - -As soon as we reached deep water the damage was permanently repaired, -and we steamed cautiously up the coast, until about sundown we made out -the topmasts of the blockading squadron right ahead. We promptly -stopped, calculating that, as they were about ten to eleven miles from -us, Galveston must lie a little further on our port bow. We let go our -anchor and prepared for an anxious night; all hands were on deck and the -cable was ready to be unshackled at a moment's notice, with steam as -nearly ready as possible without blowing off, as at any moment a prowler -from the squadron patrolling the coast might have made us out. We had -not been lying thus very long when suddenly on the starboard bow we made -out a cruiser steaming towards us evidently on the prowl. It was a -critical time; all hands were on deck, a man standing by to knock the -shackle out of the chain cable, and the engineers at their stations. -Thanks to the backing of the coast, our friend did not discover us and -to our relief disappeared to the southward. - -After this all was quiet during the remainder of the night, which, -fortunately for us, was very dark, and about two hours before daylight -we quietly raised our anchor and steamed slowly on, feeling our way -cautiously by the lead, and hoping, when daylight fairly broke, to find -ourselves inside the fleet opposite Galveston and able to make a short -dash for the bar. We had been under weigh some time, when suddenly we -discovered a launch close to us on the port bow filled with Northern -blue-jackets and marines. "Full speed ahead," shouted Steele, and we -were within an ace of running her down as we almost grazed her with our -port paddle-wheel. Hurst and I looked straight down into the boat, -waving them a parting salute. The crew seemed only too thankful at their -narrow escape to open fire, but they soon regained their senses and -threw up rocket after rocket in our wake as a warning to the blockading -fleet to be on the alert. - -Daylight was then slowly breaking, and the first thing we discovered was -that we had not taken sufficient account of the effects of the "Norther" -on the current; instead of being opposite the town with the fleet broad -on to our starboard beam, we found ourselves down three or four miles -from it and the most leeward blockader close to us on our bow. It was a -moment for immediate decision: the alternatives were to turn tail and -stand a chase to seaward by their fastest cruisers with chance of -capture, and in any case a return to Havana as we had not sufficient -coal for another attempt, or to make a dash for it and take the fire of -the squadron. In an instant we decided to go for it, and orders to turn -ahead full speed were given; but the difficulty now to be overcome was -that we could not make for the main channel without going through the -fleet. This would have been certain destruction, so we had to make for a -sort of swash channel along the beach, which, however, was nothing but a -_cul-de-sac_, and to get from it into the main channel. Shoal water and -heavy breakers had to be passed, but there was now no other choice open -to us. - -By this time the fleet had opened fire upon us, and shells were bursting -merrily around as we took the fire of each ship which we passed. -Fortunately there was a narrow shoal between us, which prevented them -from approaching within about half a mile of us; luckily also for us -they were in rough water on the windward side of the shoal and could not -lay their guns with precision. And to this we owed our escape, as, -although our funnels were riddled with shell splinters, we received no -damage and had only one man wounded. But the worst was to come; we saw -the white water already ahead, and we knew our only chance was to bump -through it, being well aware that if she stuck fast we should lose the -ship and all our lives, for no boat, even if it could have been -launched, would have lived in such a surf. - -With two leadsmen in the chains we approached our fate, taking no notice -of the bursting shells and round shot to which the blockaders treated us -in their desperation; it was not a question of the fathoms but of the -feet we were drawing: twelve feet, ten, nine, and when we put her at it, -as you do a horse at a jump, and as her nose was entering the white -water, "eight feet" was sung out. A moment afterwards we touched and -hung; and I thought all was over, when a big wave came rolling along and -lifted our stern and the ship bodily with a crack which could be heard a -quarter of a mile off, and which we thought meant that her back was -broken. - -[Illustration: _BANSHEE NO. 2_ RUNNING THE GAUNTLET OF THE GALVESTON -BLOCKADING SQUADRON IN DAYLIGHT. _To face page 156._] - -She once more went ahead: the worst was over, and, after two or three -minor bumps, we were in the deep channel, helm hard a-starboard and -heading for Galveston Bay, leaving the disappointed blockaders astern. -It was a reckless undertaking and a narrow escape, but we were safe in, -and after an examination by the health officer we steamed gaily up to -the town, the wharves of which were crowded by people, who, gazing to -seaward, had watched our exploit with much interest, and who cheered us -heartily upon its success. - -I found Galveston a most forsaken place; its streets covered with sand, -its wharves rotting, its defences in a most deplorable condition, very -different from those at Wilmington, and if the Northerners had taken the -trouble I think that they could easily have possessed themselves of it. -But our welcome was warm, and during the _Banshee's_ long stay we had a -real good time; General Magruder was in command, and many a cheery -entertainment we had on board with him and his staff as guests, who were -all musical. We had a capital French cook, and as plenty of game, fish, -and oysters were procurable, and our good liquor was plentiful, we had -all the necessary ingredients for many most sociable evenings—this was -the bright side of the picture. - -The reverse was the difficulty I had in procuring a suitable outward -cargo; the inward one was all right, and I found our assortment would -sell well, but the trouble was to obtain cotton: there was extremely -little of it left near the seaboard, and to get it from further up -country was a long, tedious, and expensive process. Moreover, I found -there would be great difficulty in having it pressed, and to take a -cargo of half-pressed cotton meant very serious loss indeed; however, -having arranged for the sale by auction of the inward cargo, Hurst and I -started for Houston, the capital of Texas, armed with a letter of -introduction to the most influential merchant there, who agreed after -endless negotiations to provide at a high price a full-pressed cargo, -but required a long time for delivery and payment half in Confederate -money (being part of the proceeds of our inward cargo), and the balance -by drafts on home. This meant a further loss in withdrawing my -superfluous proceeds from the country, but as no better bargain could be -made I agreed. - -Houston, in those days, was a pretty little town, very dull of course, -but fortunately we made the acquaintance of a charming family, refugees -from Baton Rouge, who were most kind to us, and I shall ever feel -grateful to Mrs. Avery and her fair daughters for the hospitality which -they extended to me. - -After concluding these arrangements I returned to Galveston, being -rather amused on the journey by the sudden stoppage of the train, which -had been crawling along at about ten miles an hour, followed by the -leisurely exit of the conductor and engine driver each with a gun on his -shoulder, who calmly disappeared across the prairie on a gunning -expedition. After about an hour's delay the sportsmen returned fairly -successful, and with "all aboard" we resumed our journey. - -A few days subsequently I witnessed a sad sight—the execution of a -deserter, a fine fellow, sergeant of artillery, whose only offence was -that he had crossed the Mississippi into the Northern lines in order to -visit his wife and family, intending, it was believed, to return; he was -captured, however, and condemned to death by court-martial, and the -whole of the garrison of Galveston was paraded to witness his execution. -It was an anxious time for the authorities, as it was expected that his -battery would attempt a rescue, so the other two batteries were drawn up -opposite with guns loaded ready to fire on it if it did. The sergeant -was led out, and six men were placed a few paces in front of him; after -refusing to have his eyes bandaged, he dropped his hand as a signal for -them to fire; a report as from one rifle rang out, and he dropped on his -face dead. The saddest part of this incident was, that within an hour of -his execution a pardon arrived from headquarters at Houston on a railway -trolly; no locomotive being available four men had worked the trolly -down, but too late. - -Finding that the accumulation of cargo and consequent loading of the -_Banshee_ would occupy a long time, and owing to the critical state of -affairs in the South rendering it absolutely necessary for me to return -to Nassau as soon as possible, I decided to take a passage in a friend's -blockade-runner then ready to start, leaving my able lieutenant Frank -Hurst to settle up things and come out in the _Banshee_. But I did not -like it at all; it was the first time I was to try the venture in a -strange craft and as a mere passenger, and from what I had seen of the -skipper I had not over much confidence in him. - -On a night which was eminently suited for the purpose we made a start, -but no sooner did we get down to the Tripod, which marked the entrance -to the channel, than we made out a couple of the blockaders—a sight -quite enough for the nerves of our captain, who declared we should -certainly be seen and immediately gave orders to turn back. This was not -my idea of blockade-running as I had been accustomed to it, but being a -passenger I had no _locus standi_ on board; we put back to the harbour -and next morning were well chaffed. To make a long story short we made a -second attempt next night with like results, and I was beginning to feel -thoroughly disgusted. Every hour's delay with a growing moon now -increased our risks; on the third night, by dint of goading the skipper, -whose coal was running short, I persuaded him to harden his heart and -make a run for it. When we reached the Tripod we made out several of the -squadron, but we put our helm a-starboard, ran along the land, and -fortunately got clear. - -Crossing the Gulf of Mexico we made out nothing; perhaps this was -because no look-out was kept; and mightily glad I was when we made the -coast of Cuba and steamed into Havana. This trip was certainly a -revelation to me as regards blockade-running, and no wonder many a fine -boat, navigated, no doubt, on the same lines as the —— had been thrown -away. - -This was my last trip, the twenty-eighth—a record, I think, for any -Englishman during the war, and considering the narrow squeaks that I -had, and that I only came to grief once in the _Night Hawk_, I had a -great deal to be thankful for. - -Upon my arrival in Havana I found the mail boat was starting for Nassau -next day, and in her I took my passage. I found Nassau much changed, as -during my absence Wilmington, after an heroic defence of Fort Fisher by -my old friend Lamb, had been captured, and had it not been for the -supineness (not to use a stronger phrase) of General Bragg, who -commanded the Confederate forces outside the fort and who failed to -attack the Northern attacking force in the rear when the assault was -made, Lamb's second defence would have been as successful as the first, -and Fort Fisher and Wilmington would have been saved to the Confederate -Government—a result which might have had a very important bearing upon -the issue of the struggle. Wilmington and Charleston being now closed, -Nassau's days as a blockade-running centre were over, and the only thing -to do was to wind up our affairs as well as we could, and prepare to go -home. Even then it was evident that the game was up as far as the South -was concerned, and very shortly afterwards we heard of Lee's surrender -and the virtual ending of the war. - -In the interim the _Banshee_ arrived, having cleared out of Galveston -without trouble and transhipped her cargo at Havana, which, although the -war was over, sold for very high prices in Liverpool. But the -liquidation of our affairs generally was a disastrous one; our steamers -were practically valueless; and as a matter of fact the _Banshee_ and -_Night Hawk_, which I sent home, and which had cost between them some -£70,000, we sold for £6000; two or three other boats which I sent to -South America for sale realised miserable prices, so that this, combined -with the enormous stakes we had imprisoned in the South, and which were -confiscated, took the gilt considerably off our gingerbread. - -It had been an exciting and eventful period, however, and had I gone -through it again with the experience I had gained in the trade, I could -have made large fortunes for my employers and myself; but in the early -part of the war, when the Northerners owing to want of ships could only -blockade the Southern ports in a half-hearted way, we let our golden -opportunity slip in trying to work with indifferent tools, _i.e._ slow, -worn-out, heavy-draught steamers, and it was not until almost too late -that my friends at home woke up and sent me out a better class of boat. -By that time the blockade had become most stringent, and to evade it was -an affair involving a tremendous risk, even with the fastest and best -equipped vessels and commanded by the most daring men. - -After closing up my affairs in Nassau I returned home for, what I think -I deserved, a well-earned rest; and I am sure I needed it, as the hard -life I had led, combined with the after effects of yellow fever and -fever and ague, had played havoc with my nervous system. This trouble -quiet life in England soon put right, and in a few months I found myself -bound for India as a partner in the house in Bombay, with quite a -different life to look forward to, but very pleasant recollections of -the experience I had gained and the good friends I had made. The death -rate, however, among those friends has lately been heavy, and there are -very few left (I think, sad to relate, Murray-Aynsley and Frank Hurst -now only remain) of the good comrades, who would always have stood by -each other in any difficulty or danger. - - - - - CHAPTER XII - - BLOCKADES OF THE PAST AND THE FUTURE - - Present compared with past conditions—Lessons of former - blockades—Plan of the Northern States—Action of the - Gulf-stream—Search-lights; their value to blockaders and - blockaded—Quick-firing guns—Speed of modern ships as affecting - a blockade—National character—Battle-ships and cruisers. - - -Although it is extremely improbable that the world will ever again -witness a war carried on under conditions similar to those obtaining in -the contest carried on between the North and South in the sixties, still -it is possible, as recent events have shown, that the United States -might find themselves involved in a struggle with a first-rate maritime -Power. If this were the case, the first step to be taken by that Power -would be to blockade the United States ports. This being so, it is -interesting to consider how, owing to increased speed, quick-firing -guns, and search-lights, the relationships between blockaders and -blockade-runners have been affected during the last thirty years. - -In the civil war the conditions were very different from those likely to -occur in the future; the blockade-runners of those days were unarmed, -and their business was to dodge, not to fight, the blockaders, and the -shortness of the run before a safe port could be reached made possible a -heavy outlay for building and maintaining special vessels. But to my -mind the most salient alteration in the conditions affecting the -question is the introduction of quick-firing guns, search-lights, and -increased speed. - -Before considering the effect of these changes on the future of -blockading, it will be as well to ascertain what lessons were learnt -from the blockade of the American coast. - -We soon discovered that with due care and pluck the risk was far less -than people believed; except in a few cases our losses were caused by -ignorance of position in making the port. In some cases this was owing -to the fact of our being chased about by day; in others it was caused by -the irregular action of the Gulf-stream; and in some cases it was due to -neglect and want of care in keeping a proper look-out at daylight; also -to not keeping clear of vessels when seen, and to steaming too fast when -not necessary, thereby causing smoke, which discovered to the blockaders -the position of the runner. Discovery (after taking all possible -precautions) by a faster vessel was the cause of a small minority of -captures. - -Again, the blockade was carried on on a wrong principle. The Northern -plan was,—to keep a number of ships close off the port, as a rule -anchoring by day and by night moving close in, and a few ships at a -moderate distance from the land. This plan enabled runners to lie out a -fair distance from the shore at sunset so as to run in when the time -came, having the whole night before them should they be seen. On coming -out, we felt that after the first ten miles or so from the shore there -was little chance of anything seeing us before daylight, and if we were -seen then the inshore squadron could not join in the chase. - -Off Bermuda I rarely saw a cruiser; off the Bahamas there were three or -four, but not well placed; at sea most of the cruisers were in pairs, as -far as I could make out; so that their limit of vision was only that of -one, and in such a case there is always the possibility of the one -trusting to the other to keep a good look-out. - -The action of the Gulf-stream was an important factor in the -calculations which the blockade-runners had to take into consideration. -Its rate is so uncertain, that unless you had taken a sight the day -before you got in you could not depend upon your position, and although -it could be verified by the soundings it could not be laid down by them -alone. Star observation, from the uncertain horizon, could not be -depended upon, and the moon of course was not available; on the other -hand, the general haze was in our favour. - -That in the future there will ever be a similar blockade is improbable; -it will be one of armed ships against armed ships, and the only -exception, if it can be called running a blockade, will be that of armed -merchant-ships bringing food to England, which will be required to meet -cruisers on the open sea, and not to run in and out of a blockaded port. - -I will now take up the three points of speed, quick-firing guns, and -search-lights. - -To begin with search-lights: on first thoughts the search-light would -appear to be a formidable weapon in the hands of the blockader; but on -consideration I don't think it is so, excepting perhaps in the case of a -runner being chased at night, or into the night, by a cruiser of equal -or superior speed which could, by means of her search-light, keep her -quarry under observation, and, if within range, perhaps speedily sink -her. In the dash through an inside squadron lying off a port this would -not apply. True, it would be very uncomfortable for the blockade-runner -to find herself within the sphere of a dozen search-lights all around -her, but it would be equally uncomfortable for the ships exhibiting -those lights were they within range of the protecting fort, as they -would most probably immediately be plugged by its guns. Moreover, a fort -supplied with search-lights could be constantly flashing them over the -area comprised within the range of its guns, and this would tend to -force a blockading fleet to keep at a more respectable distance and so -widen out and render the passage between its lines more easy for the -blockade-runner. - -The introduction of the search-light therefore appears to me to be in -favour of the runner. I assume that the light is in use at the port from -which the runner starts and is protected by guns. As most likely it will -be at fixed points, and as there can be no object for secrecy in its -use, it can be flashed from time to time irregularly so as to show -whether the vicinity of the port is clear of hostile cruisers or not. No -cruiser will care to come within range of the light; consequently the -runner will have the advantage of seeing his road is clear before him -when he starts, and the further out the cruisers are, the further apart, -given equal numbers, must they be. - -On the other hand, the blockader wishes to keep his position dark and -will not use his light for fear of being seen; so it is useless to him. -Again, a light on the Mound at Fort Fisher would have been invaluable to -us; the light thrown up into the air would have been of no use to the -blockader, while to us it would have fixed the position and enabled us -to run in with confidence. For my part, if in command of a blockader, -unless it was to call friends to my assistance, I would prefer not to -use the light. - -The present condition of affairs with regard to quick-firing guns and -the armament of modern war-vessels, in my opinion, would be distinctly -in favour of the blockader. Seeing how many more of this description of -gun are carried by our modern ships compared with the slow-firing -old-fashioned guns of thirty years ago, to say nothing of their -increased range and accuracy, I fear a blockade-runner would stand a -poor chance if she allowed herself to come within the range of the guns -of a cruiser so armed, at all events in daylight. Of course at night, -and if she were within the range of the guns of a protecting fort, her -chances would be more equally balanced; as the fort would be supplied -with similar guns to those of her assailants, and would doubtless use -them with effect. I am of the opinion, therefore, that the modern gun is -distinctly in favour of the blockader as compared with the runner. The -report of the quick-firing gun is much sharper and the flash much more -brilliant than that of the old-fashioned gun; and this constitutes an -additional element in favour of the blockader, for the report and flash, -being heard and seen at a greater distance, would call any neighbouring -cruiser to the blockader's assistance. - -Though the increase of speed attained by modern ships affects both -sides, the enormous speed now developed by cruisers and torpedo -destroyers would seem at first sight to give the blockading force a -distinct advantage. But if war-vessels have improved their speed -merchant-steamers have done the same; and, as I have pointed out in -previous chapters, the blockade-runner has several points in her favour -by always being in good going condition and on the alert, whereas the -blockader cannot always have steam handy or be ready for the advent of -the runner on the scene. If, however, the maritime Power in question -could afford a large number of exceedingly fast cruisers and torpedo -catchers to be constantly patrolling the seas adjacent to the blockaded -ports, and could keep those vessels supplied with coals, I think the -runner's chances of success would be materially reduced under the new -regime. But could this be done, seeing the difficulty there would be of -procuring coal and supplies from perhaps a distant base? There is one -factor resulting from increased speed which certainly is in favour of -the runner; that is, in consequence of her being at sea a shorter time -while making her hazardous passage, her risk is diminished. And this is -a material point. In the olden days it was considered a fast passage if -the distance between Wilmington and Nassau, which now could be traversed -in some thirty hours, was covered in fifty. On the whole, therefore, -increased speed is in favour of the runner. Speed requires coal, and a -man who knows what he has to do can economise coal to an extent -unattainable by the man whose movements are uncertain. He can be either -going full speed with clear fires, or be ready for it to a greater -extent than a man who is waiting until his speed is required. As -probably in the future there will not be short runs from shallow ports, -the runner can be of a size equal to, if not greater than, the -blockader; consequently, unless in smooth water, more likely to attain -greater speed. - -A point of great importance, which should not be overlooked, is the -effect of national character. In the American war, with the exception of -one or two Danes, all the officers and crews of the runners were either -British or Southerners. It is a question whether any other European -State would show sufficient spirit of enterprise to carry a blockade on -a large scale to a successful issue. What is wanted in blockade-runners -is not only capable leaders, but a large number of people who will trust -each other and their leaders. - -Hitherto I have only considered the question of evading a superior force -outside, and of being prepared to run and not to fight unless necessary. -A fleet, if going to sea, ought to go by day and fight its way out. A -squadron of cruisers, on the other hand, may find it advisable to slip -out night by night and meet at a given distant rendezvous, at the same -time being prepared to act on their own individual account if necessary; -_i.e._ if they find that the chance of the original plan cannot be -carried out. Ships of the line of battle cannot do this. They must in -all probability fight together or fail, as their not being able to come -out without fighting shows that there is a fleet of battle ships -outside. If equal powers are inside and out, I do not think that any -blockade can be made effective; the chances of breaking a modern -blockade compared with those which existed in the sixties are much the -same, provided the runner has the proper tools to work with, in the -shape of speedy and seaworthy steamers commanded and manned by -determined and cautious men. - - - - - INDEX - - Abaco lighthouse, 83 - - _Alabama_, the, 7, 8, 78 - - American Civil War, outbreak of, 1 - - Arab horse, an, 97, 98, 99 - - _Astoria_, the, 30 - - Avery, Mrs., 159 - - Azores, gale off the, 20 - - - Bahamas, the, 24, 27, 39, 48, 82, 169 - - _Banshee_, the, 33, 35, 36, 38, 39, 40, 41, 43, 47, 48, - 51, 59, 64, 67, 68, 69, 70, 73, 84, 93, 114, 115 - breakdown of, 71 - capture of, 85 - crew of, 34 - defects of, 35 - engines of, 47 - fire on, 76, 77 - open house on, 65 - precautions on, 50 - total loss of, 85 - - _Banshee_ No. 2, the, 85, 98, 99, 100, 101, 124, 137, 139, - 141, 143, 148, 150, 151, 157, 160, 161, 163, 164 - - Baton Rouge, 159 - - Bayley, Mrs., 88 - - Bermuda, 24, 39, 115, 117, 129, 169 - - Big Hill, the, 53 - - Blockade, declaration, 3 - experts, 28 - lessons of the, 167 - - Blockaders and blockade-runners, 167 - - Blockade-running, excitement of, 49 - profits of, 10, 69, 85 - risks of, 10 - - Blockades of the future, 169 - - Blockading fleet, the, 6 - - Bragg, General, 163 - - Branchville, 137 - - British Government, attitude of, 9, 39 - - British merchants, Southern sympathies of, 38 - - Burgoyne, Captain Hugh, V.C., 59, 89, 91 - - Burroughs, Pilot, 43, 51, 52, 53, 75, 117 - - Butler, General, 133 - - - Cape Fear, 49 - - Cape Fear Club, 63 - - Cape Fear river, 44, 47, 58 - - Cape Hatteras, 4, 85 - - Capper, Captain, 101, 102, 108, 109 - - _Captain_, H.M.S., 59, 89, 91 - - Captures, 12 - - Charleston, 24, 25, 28, 38, 117, 137, 163 - ships blockading, 6 - trade of, 25 - - Chase, a weary, 81 - - City Point, 58 - - Clawson, Mr. T. W., 61 - - Collie and Co., Alexander, 26 - - Commerce destroyers, 7 - - Confederate fleet, the, 6, 7, 8 - ports, 11 - states, trade of, 18 - - _Congress_, the, 7 - - Craig's Landing, 60, 62 - - Crawford, Mr., 146 - - Cuba, 145, 162 - - _Cumberland_, the, 7 - - Curtis, General, 57, 61, 62, 63 - - - Danville, 135, 140 - - Davis, Mr. Jefferson, 97 - - Deserter, execution of a, 159 - - _Despatch_, the, 17, 30 - breakdown of, 19, 20 - cargo on, 17, 19 - condemned, 28 - in quarantine, 30 - reaches Nassau, 20 - release of, 32 - seizure of, 31 - start of, 19 - yellow fever on board, 30 - - Dinner bill, a, 139 - - Dixie, 58 - - Doering, Mr. Arthur, 88, 89, 94, 96 - - _Don_, the, 90 - - - Erskine, chief engineer, 42, 77, 78, 81, 82 - - _Eugénie_, the, 76 - - - _Falcon_, the, 124, 128 - - Farragut, Admiral, 8 - - Fastnet, the, 35 - - Federal Navy, inadequacy of the, 8 - - _Florida_, the, 7 - - Fort Caswell, 111, 112 - - Fort Fisher, 46, 48, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 60, 61, - 67, 73, 99, 103, 113, 114, 116, 140, 141, 163 - - Fort Lafayette, 85 - - Fraser, Trenholm and Co., 26 - - Freight charges, 18 - - Funchal Bay, 38 - - - Galveston, 25, 44, 111, 148, 150, 151, - 152, 153, 157, 159, 160, 163 - - Galveston Bay, 157 - - Game-cock, a, 100 - - Georgia, 137 - - _Georgia_, the, 7 - - Grace Church, 57 - - _Great Eastern_, the, 59 - - Greenough or Greenhow, Mrs. Rose, 60, 128 - - Gulf-stream, action of the, 169 - - - Halifax, 115 - - Halpin, Captain, 59, 76, 77 - - Hamilton, 116 - - Hampton Roads, 7 - - Harper, Captain John, 63 - - Harper's Ferry, 57 - - Havana, 25, 145, 146, 148, 149, 154, 162, 164 - - Heiliger, Mr., 97, 133 - - Hewett, Captain, afterwards Admiral, V.C., 59, 89, 91, 124, 125 - - Hicks Pasha, 89 - - Hobart Pasha, 59, 89, 90 - Mrs., 87, 89 - - Hoke, General, 134 - - Holcombe, Professor, 60 - - Houston, 158, 159, 160 - - Hurst, Mr. Frank, 88, 90, 115, 148, 154, 158, 161, 165 - - - Infernal machine, an, 129 - - International Exhibition, the, 9 - - Irishman, a resourceful, 121 - - - James _Adger_, the, 78, 80, 84 - - James river, the, 135, 136 - - John Brown raid, the, 57 - - Joint Stock Companies, establishment of, 93 - - - Lafitte, Mr. J. B., 26 - - Lamb, Col. William, 55, 56, 57, 61, 62, 63, - 67, 75, 99, 104, 118, 125, 137, 163 - Mrs., 56, 57 - - Lawley, Hon. Francis, 59 - - Lee, General, 135, 137 - army of, 137, 139, 163 - - Lincoln, President, 2, 3, 8 - - Liquidation, a disastrous, 164 - - Liverpool, 33 - confederate vessel in, 17 - feeling in, 3, 10 - - Loading, reckless, 66 - - Look-out man, pay of the, 48 - - - Madeira, 36 - - Maffitt, Captain, 42 - - Magruder, General, 157 - - May, Mr., 126 - - _Merrimac_, the, 7, 8 - - Mexico, Gulf of, 149, 162 - - _Minnesota_, the, 67 - - Mississippi, the, 159 - - Mobile, 7, 8, 25 - - _Monitor_, the, 7 - - Murray-Aynsley, Admiral, 59, 79, 81, 83, 90, 92, 165 - Mrs., 87, 89 - - - Nassau, 20, 22, 23, 24, 27, 38, 39, 40, 43, 44, 47, - 69, 80, 82, 101, 109, 114, 115, 129, 131, 133, 140, - 141, 145, 146, 147, 149, 160, 162, 163, 165, 174 - agencies at, 24 - freight charges at, 18 - life at, 86-100 - yellow fever at, 96, 97 - - National character, 175 - - New Orleans, 25 - - New Providence, 20 - - New York, 30 - - _Night Hawk_, the, 59, 116, 117, 118, 126, 162, 164 - boarded by Northerners, 120 - on fire, 121, 122, 123 - - _Niphon_, the, 74 - - Norfolk Navy Yard, 5, 7 - - Norfolk, surrender of, 57 - - North Breaker shoal, the, 54, 73, 119 - - North, policy of the, 29 - - "Norther," a, 149, 150, 154 - - Northerners, energy of the, 5 - fleet of the, 5 - views of, as to belligerents, 36 - - - _Oreto_, the, 42 - - Orton, 58 - - - Paris, Congress at, 4 - - Petersburg, 133, 135 - - Plimsoll Act, the, 16 - - Port Royal, 30 - - Porter's fleet, admiral, 60, 140, 141, 142 - - Portman, Mr. Maurice, 89 - - Potomac river, 4 - - Power, Mr. Tom, 64 - - Providence, 57 - - - Quarantine, 97 - - Queenstown, 20, 35 - - Quick-firing guns, 172 - - - Race, a ding-dong, 79 - - Randolph, General, 142 - Mrs., 143 - - _Rappahanock_, the, 8 - - Rhode Island, 57 - - Richmond, 44, 98, 128, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 140 - privations in, 138 - - Rio Grande, the, 4 - - "Roberts," Captain, 59, 90, 91 - - Royal Proclamation, reception of a, 9 - - - St. John, 32 - - Savannah, 42 - - Search-lights, 170, 171 - - Seceding States, seaboard of, 4 - - _Shenandoah_, the, 7 - - Sherman, General, 137 - - Smith's Inlet, 118 - - Smith's Island, 45 - - Somnambulism, 20, 21 - - South, acknowledgment of the, as belligerents, 3 - partisan leaning towards, 12 - - _Southern Historical Papers_, extract from, 57 - - Southern Ports, blockade of the, 3 - cargo suitable for, 18 - States, secession of, 2 - traders, 26 - - Southerners, Navy of the, 6, 7 - - Speed of vessels, 173 - - Stanton, Mr. Secretary, 58 - - Steele, Captain, 41, 42, 51, 52, 53, 67, 76, - 78, 79, 82, 85, 89, 109, 113, 152, 154 - - _Stormy Petrel_, the, 114 - - Stowaway, a, 80 - - Suakim, Admiral Hewett, V.C., at, 91 - - _Sumpter_, the, 8 - - - _Tallahasse_, the, 8 - - Taylor, Mr. Tom, 59 - - Tennessee, 137 - - _Tennessee_, the, 8 - - Texas, 158 - - _Trent_ affair, the, 13, 39 - - _Trent_, the, 13 - - Tripod, the, 161, 162 - - _Tristram Shandy_, the, 94, 95 - - _Tubal Cain_, the, 42 - - - United States, fleet of the, 4 - Mercantile Navy of the, 8 - - - _Venus_, the, 92 - - Virginia, 140 - - Vizitelly, Mr. Frank, 59, 89 - - - War, end of the, 163 - - Washington, 58, 85 - - Watson, Mr. L. G., 26, 89 - - Whiting, General, 60, 62 - - Whitworth guns, Colonel Lamb's, 56, 137 - - _Wild Dayrell_, the, 111, 114 - loss of, 113 - - _Wild Rover_, the, 114, 141 - - Wilkes, Captain, afterwards Admiral, 13, 14, 39, 40 - - _Will-o'-the-wisp_, the, 101, 114, 144, 151 - ashore, 105 - destruction of, 111 - on fire, 106 - sale of, 110 - - Wilmington, 24, 25, 38, 43, 44, 45, 47, 58, - 64, 66, 80, 83, 92, 95, 102, 106, 115, - 117, 125, 127, 128, 131, 132, 137, 139, - 140, 142, 145, 148, 149, 157, 163, 174 - ships blockading, 6 - ship-building at, 8 - trade of, 25 - yellow fever at, 96, 97 - - Wilmington Bar, 46, 118 - - _Wilmington_, the, 63 - - _Wilmington Messenger_, extract from the, 61 - - Wood, Mr. Henry, 63 - - - Yellow Fever, 96 - - - - - THE END - - - _Printed by_ R. & R. 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Taylor - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: Running the Blockade - A Personal Narrative of Adventures, Risks, and Escapes - during the American Civil War - -Author: Thomas E. Taylor - -Release Date: October 5, 2015 [EBook #50134] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RUNNING THE BLOCKADE *** - - - - -Produced by readbueno and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/cover.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic001'> -<p>This Front Cover was produced by the transcriber<br />and is in the public domain.</p> -</div> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c000'> - <div><a id='Page_i'></a><span class='xxlarge'>RUNNING THE BLOCKADE</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='figcenter id002'> -<span class='pageno' title='iv' id='Page_iv'></span> -<img src='images/i004.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic001'> -<p>BURNING OF THE <i>NIGHT HAWK</i>. <i>Frontispiece.</i></p> -</div> -</div> - -<div> - <a id='Page_v'></a> - <h1 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>RUNNING THE BLOCKADE</span></h1> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c002'> - <div class='c002'>A PERSONAL NARRATIVE OF</div> - <div>ADVENTURES, RISKS, AND</div> - <div>ESCAPES DURING THE</div> - <div>AMERICAN CIVIL WAR</div> - <div class='c002'>By THOMAS E. TAYLOR</div> - <div class='c003'><span class='small'>WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY JULIAN CORBETT</span></div> - <div><span class='small'>MAPS AND ILLUSTRATIONS</span></div> - <div class='c002'>LONDON</div> - <div>JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET</div> - <div class='c002'>1896</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <a id='Page_vii'></a> - <h2 class='c004'>INTRODUCTION</h2> -</div> -<p class='c005'>A German admiral has remarked that the most -valuable naval history lies in the despatches -and logs of naval officers. Our own Navy -Record Society by the line it has taken -thoroughly endorses this view, and has committed -itself to the teaching of naval history -from the mouths of the men who made it.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Mr. Taylor's work then must not be taken -as a mere record of personal adventure, however -absorbing it be found from this point of -view. As a picture of exciting escapes, of -coolness and resource at moments of acute -danger, of well-calculated risks, boldly accepted -and obstinately carried through, it has few -rivals in recent sea-story: but its deeper value -does not lie here. Over and above its -romantic interest it will be recognised by -students of the naval art as a real and solid -contribution to history; for it presents to us -<a id='Page_viii'></a>from the pen of a principal actor the most -complete account we have of a great blockade -in the days of steam.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The important part that blockade plays in -naval warfare is a thing hardly recognised -outside professional ranks. For the general -reader, the grand manœuvres of a great fleet -in chase of the enemy and the stirring hours -of some decisive action throw into oblivion -the tedious months of dull, anxious, and exhausting -work with which by far the greater -part of the war is taken up. Yet it is hardly -too much to say that during the most glorious -period of our maritime history nine-tenths of -the energies of our admirals were devoted to -blockade. In the future it is possible that -it will take even a higher place. Should -England become engaged with a first-rate -foreign power, single-handed, it is a recognised -fact amongst naval strategists that in a week -she could close every one of her enemy's ports -and have a fleet free to reduce at its leisure -everything he held beyond the seas. With -almost any two Powers against her it is probable -she could do as much: and it is the -<a id='Page_ix'></a>recognition of this power abroad which gives -England, in spite of her military weakness, -so commanding a position in Europe.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The importance then of studying every -scrap of information on the subject in order to -perfect our knowledge of the art of blockade -cannot be exaggerated, and Mr. Taylor's -simple and straightforward record of his experiences -may claim to be perhaps the fullest -contribution to the subject that as yet exists. -Experiences of individual captains we have -had, and, read with the present work, they are -of high value: but Mr. Taylor has something -more to tell. Not only did he run the blockade -personally a greater number of times than -any one else, but, boy as he was at the time, -he was the chief organiser of a great and -systematised attack on the Northern blockade, -such as the world had never seen before. His -operations may be said to have opened a new -era in the history of blockade, and one which -bids fair to have far-reaching consequences for -every maritime Power.</p> - -<p class='c006'>To make clear his position and its dangers -and difficulties a word must be said on the -<a id='Page_x'></a>general subject of blockade. Blockade, it -must be clearly borne in mind, is of two -kinds, the one military, the other commercial. -The first concerns the belligerents alone, and -consists in one of them, who has obtained a -working command of the sea, imprisoning the -other's war fleets in their own ports. It was -this form of blockade which absorbed by far -the greatest part of our naval activity during -the great French wars. During the American -Civil War it was considerably practised, and -from American sources may be studied in -complete detail the efforts of the Confederate -war-ships to escape the vigilance of Federal -blockading squadrons. The second form, or -commercial blockade, is one that principally -concerns neutrals, and it was of course to this -form alone that Mr. Taylor's operations extended.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The International Law which regulates its -conditions as between neutrals and belligerents -is shortly this. A belligerent, if strong enough -at sea to close one or more ports of his enemy, -may give notice to Neutral Powers that such -port or ports are blockaded, and thereafter if -<a id='Page_xi'></a>any neutral vessel attempts to enter or leave -them, the belligerent may treat it as an enemy, -and may destroy or capture and condemn it as -an ordinary prize. To run a blockade then is -an operation attended with all the risks of war. -Indeed a blockade-runner is in an even worse -position than a hostile belligerent; for not being -a combatant he may not resist the efforts of the -blockaders to destroy or capture him. He is -entitled to escape if he can, but a single shot -or blow in his own defence makes him a pirate, -and a belligerent capturing him may treat him -as such. But it must always be remembered -that for a belligerent to be entitled to exercise -these high prerogatives he must first have -constituted a real and effective blockade. A -mere declaration that a port is closed is -not enough. It must be so closely watched -and invested with an adequate naval force -that no neutral can leave or enter without -running present danger of being sunk or -captured.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Analogous to the rights arising out of an -effective blockade, and always to be clearly -distinguished from them, is the right of a -<a id='Page_xii'></a>belligerent to treat as an enemy a neutral -vessel carrying contraband of war to his -enemy's ports, and this right he may always -exercise, whether the ports in question be -effectively blockaded or not.</p> - -<p class='c006'>It was this consideration, no doubt, combined -with a desire to preserve a strict neutrality and -to see the South treated as belligerents and not -as mere insurgents, that induced the English -Government to recognise the Federal blockade -as soon as it was declared. At the opening of -the war the Federal Government, in defiance of -International Law, declared the whole Southern -seaboard under blockade. It was a blockade -they were then wholly unable to enforce or -even to pretend to enforce, but as most of our -blockade-runners carried contraband of war, -there was very little to be gained by disputing -the Federal pretensions. Some injustice, no -doubt, was thus done to the South. But it was -more than counterbalanced by the advantage -they gained in that the recognition of the -blockade made them indisputably belligerents. -For these reasons our Government thought it -wise to waive its neutral rights and submit to a -<a id='Page_xiii'></a>paper blockade, which did not exist. As the -Northern power increased at sea the blockade -became more and more effective, and by the -time Mr. Taylor had got fully to work it may -be said to have been something more than a -pretence. Finally it became very strict and -thoroughly effective, and it is with this instructive -period that his reminiscences are -chiefly concerned.</p> - -<p class='c006'>This declaration of a blockade that could -not be enforced at the time was not the only -extension of belligerent rights which the Federal -Government claimed and exercised in respect of -blockade. As Mr. Taylor fully explains, they -did not confine their operations against blockade-runners -to the established practice of watching -the closed ports. Not only did they cruise for -offenders on the high seas, but they intercepted -them close to their points of departure, thousands -of miles from the blockaded ports. Nay, they -even went so far as to attempt to blockade the -neutral ports which the offending vessels were -using as bases of operations. To most of these -claims no objection was made, and there is no -doubt that in any future war similar operations -<a id='Page_xiv'></a>will be recognised without question, as within -belligerent rights.</p> - -<p class='c006'>In previous wars a belligerent declaring a -blockade had to concern himself with little -more than turning back ordinary merchantmen -who had not received notice of the blockade, or -cutting off small fry of the smuggling type that -slipped over from adjacent coasts to take their -chance of getting in. Such a thing as neutral -merchants establishing public companies to -build fleets of specially designed vessels for the -avowed purpose of breaking a blockade which -was thoroughly effective against ordinary types -of merchantmen, was a thing unknown to -International Law. And further, when these -merchants stretched their rights as neutrals so -far as to establish regular bases almost in the -enemy's waters from which to conduct their -revolutionary operations, it was obvious that -some latitude must be granted to the blockading -power. No objection, therefore, was -ever raised to his cutting off vessels avowedly -constructed for blockade-running at any point -he chose; but when he attempted to blockade -neutral ports from which they were acting, -<a id='Page_xv'></a>England put her foot down and compelled the -Federal cruisers to draw off. In this she was -clearly within her rights. But although the -Federal claim to this bold extension of belligerent -rights was undoubtedly illegal, it was -not without provocation. It is another law -of blockade that a vessel is not "guilty" and -cannot be interfered with unless it is bound for -a blockaded port. The system pursued by -Mr. Taylor of establishing depots or bases on -British territory close to American waters thus -greatly increased the difficulties of the cruisers. -Goods destined for the blockaded ports were -consigned first to one of these bases, Bermuda, -Havana, or the Bahamas, and on their way could -not be touched by the Northern captains. It -was naturally a great temptation to these officers -as they watched the offensive traffic pouring into -the runner's bases to see that it did not get -out. It is even conceivable that England -might have been induced to wink at their proceedings. -But it so happened that the first and -only attempt to blockade blockade-runners in a -British port was made by the very officer who -was the culprit in the <i>Trent</i> affair, and that too -<a id='Page_xvi'></a>while we were still unsoothed from his last violation -of our neutrality. The British Government, -therefore, happened to be in a very -irritable mood with the North, and though -they had hitherto been inexhaustible in their -sympathy with the Federal belligerent pretensions, -they now peremptorily stopped their -complacency and the North had to submit.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Whether the claim made tentatively by -the Northern Government is destined to -become recognised by International Law is -by no means clear. In the case in question -the neutral was too powerful to be resisted. -Shortly after, however, the same scheme was -actually put in operation by one of the most -famous of Mr. Taylor's colleagues, the -"notorious Captain Roberts," the arch-blockade -runner and a British naval officer. When -the American war closed, the Turkish Government -had been trying for months to suppress -an insurrection in Crete by blockading the -island on the old lines. Hobart (whose <i>nom -de guerre</i> as a blockade-runner was "Roberts"), -profiting by his recent experience, undertook -to suppress it in a week, and his offer was -<a id='Page_xvii'></a>accepted. The insurgents were living entirely -on supplies sent them from Greece, and -Hobart having been placed in command of -the blockading squadron proceeded at once to -blockade the Greek vessels in their own ports, -and the Cretans were immediately starved -into surrender.</p> - -<p class='c006'>This and every other indication show a -tendency for the belligerent rights of blockade -to increase at the expense of the neutral. -If this be so, then blockade must become a -more and more effective naval operation, and -hence the importance of its study down to -the minutest particulars from which any forecast -of the future may be obtained.</p> - -<p class='c006'>For the non-professional reader one of the -chief points of technical interest in Mr. Taylor's -book will be the light it throws on a great -national question, which periodically comes out -in moments of alarm. It is now a common -subject for paragraphists to dilate upon how, -if England lost command of the sea, her food -supply would be cut off in a week (or some -other minute period) and herself be brought -to the mercy of her enemy. However useful -<a id='Page_xviii'></a>such prognostications may be for stimulating -an interest in the navy, they are full of fallacies -and even dangerous as leading to demands for -naval armaments so extravagant as to cause -the taxpayer to turn his back on the navy -altogether, and button his pockets in sheer -disgust. To begin with, if England lost the -command of the sea, it does not follow that -any one else would obtain it, a fact too often -lost sight of in naval discussion. The thing -does not hang in a simple dilemma. You -cannot say, either England has the command -or her enemy has it. There is still the middle -hypothesis, that neither has it. And this in -all reasonable probability is the worst that -could suddenly befall us. The destruction of -England's command of the sea is no child's -play, and even if three Powers together succeeded -in doing it, it could only be at such -a sacrifice to themselves as would leave the -seas practically free to the operations of -neutrals. Mr. Taylor's experiences show -clearly how surprisingly easy it was for bold -and expert captains with adequate vessels to -run the most strict and effective blockades. -<a id='Page_xix'></a>Were England to become engaged in a great -war, the first step would be for numbers of -her mercantile marine to pass to neutral flags, -and all these vessels with their crews would -be ready-made blockade-runners the moment -there was a call for them. And even assuming -that by some extraordinary chance the British -fleet for a time was suppressed with little or -no damage to the enemy, the precedents of -the American war go to show that the navies -of three Powers absolutely intact could hardly -avail to maintain a blockade of such a coast-line -as ours.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The conditions of blockade, it is true, have -changed, but the balance remains much the -same. Mr. Taylor considers that search-lights, -for instance, tell quite as much for one -side as the other. Increased speed is at -least as favourable for running as it is for -blockading. Torpedo boats seem hardly to -affect the balance at all. For while they -render the position of a blockading squadron -less secure than formerly, they on the other -hand furnish it with ideal patrols. Quick-firing -guns are all in favour of the blockader, but on -<a id='Page_xx'></a>the other hand, long-range guns of position are -all against him, compelling him to keep further -to sea and so to cover more ground. The extreme -importance of invisibility too, on which -Mr. Taylor insists, shows how great an advantage -a runner, able to procure good smokeless -coal, would have over a force blockading the -English coast which could not obtain it. On -the whole we may safely conclude that a -commercial blockade is certainly no easier -than it was in the sixties. Many indications -from the following pages show how difficult it -is to maintain the blockade even of half a -dozen ports, if you are unable to intercept the -regular runners at their points of departure. -This a force without undisputed mastery of -the sea could never effect to a sufficient extent. -The lesson then that the following pages most -clearly teaches is, that the danger of the -British Isles being blockaded by any conceivable -combination of hostile Powers, so -as to reduce her even approximately near -starvation, may be dismissed as outside the -region of practical strategy; and in the next -place they show us the vast importance of -<a id='Page_xxi'></a>maintaining in our navy an adequate force of -vessels of a type calculated to render a commercial -blockade really effective. What Mr. -Taylor was able to do with one little steamer -to prolong Lee's resistance is a lesson to be -remembered beside Dundonald's operations -on the coast of Spain.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Such are a few of the considerations which -Mr. Taylor's book suggests. Different men -will draw different lessons from the facts it -presents, but its value as the work of a man -of unequalled experience in the working of a -great blockade will be admitted by all: and -whatever weight may be attached to the author's -conclusions from his practical experience, the -little work will amply justify its existence if it -in any way stimulates interest in the practical -side of a subject, which naval writers seem -inclined to leave too much in the hands of -International lawyers.</p> - -<div class='c007'>JULIAN CORBETT.</div> - -<p class='c006'><i>May 1896.</i></p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <a id='Page_xxiii'></a> - <h2 class='c004'>CONTENTS</h2> -</div> -<table class='table0' summary=''> -<colgroup> -<col width='76%' /> -<col width='23%' /> -</colgroup> - <tr> - <td class='c008'>CHAPTER I</td> - <td class='c009'><span class='small'>PAGE</span></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>How I Began</span></td> - <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_1'>1</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c008'>CHAPTER II</td> - <td class='c009'></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>My First Attempt on the <i>Despatch</i></span></td> - <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_16'>16</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c008'>CHAPTER III</td> - <td class='c009'></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>The <i>Banshee No. 1</i></span></td> - <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_33'>33</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c008'>CHAPTER IV</td> - <td class='c009'></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>The <i>Banshee's</i> First Run In</span></td> - <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_44'>44</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c008'>CHAPTER V</td> - <td class='c009'></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>Fort Fisher and Wilmington</span></td> - <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_55'>55</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c008'>CHAPTER VI</td> - <td class='c009'></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>The Rest of the <i>Banshee No. 1.'s</i> Career</span></td> - <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_70'>70</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c008'><a id='Page_xxiv'></a>CHAPTER VII</td> - <td class='c009'></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>Life at Nassau</span></td> - <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_86'>86</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c008'>CHAPTER VIII</td> - <td class='c009'></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>Our Fleet</span></td> - <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_101'>101</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c008'>CHAPTER IX</td> - <td class='c009'></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>Bermuda</span></td> - <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_115'>115</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c008'>CHAPTER X</td> - <td class='c009'></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>Experiences Ashore in Dixie's Land</span></td> - <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_131'>131</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c008'>CHAPTER XI</td> - <td class='c009'></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>Havana and Galveston</span></td> - <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_145'>145</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c008'>CHAPTER XII</td> - <td class='c009'></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>Blockades of the Past and the Future</span></td> - <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_166'>166</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>Index</span></td> - <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_177'>177</a></td> - </tr> -</table> -<div class='chapter'> - <a id='Page_xxv'></a> - <h2 class='c004'><span class='sc'>ILLUSTRATIONS, MAPS, Etc.</span></h2> -</div> -<table class='table1' summary=''> -<colgroup> -<col width='67%' /> -<col width='22%' /> -<col width='10%' /> -</colgroup> - <tr> - <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>Burning of the <i>Night Hawk</i></span></td> - <td class='c010'><i>Frontispiece</i></td> - <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_iv'>iv</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>Chart of Wilmington Harbour and Approaches</span></td> - <td class='c010'><i>Page</i></td> - <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_45'>45</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>Portrait of Colonel Lamb</span></td> - <td class='c010'><i>To face page</i></td> - <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_56'>56</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c008'><span class='sc'><i>Banshee</i> chased by <i>James Adger</i></span></td> - <td class='c010'><i>To face page</i></td> - <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_78'>78</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c008'><span class='sc'><i>Will-o'-the-wisp's</i> Dash for Wilmington</span></td> - <td class='c010'><i>To face page</i></td> - <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_106'>106</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c008'><span class='sc'><i>Banshee No. 2</i> Running the Gauntlet of the Galveston Blockading Squadron in Daylight</span></td> - <td class='c010'><i>To face page</i></td> - <td class='c009'><a href='#Page_156'>156</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>Map of the East Coast of North America</span></td> - <td class='c010'></td> - <td class='c009'><a href='#at'><i>At end</i></a></td> - </tr> -</table> -<div class='chapter'> - <a id='Page_1'></a> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER I<br /> <br />HOW I BEGAN</h2> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c011'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='small'>Feeling in Liverpool—Declaration of blockade—Its immediate</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>result—Effect on trade in Liverpool—The theory of</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>blockades—Attitude of the Federal States—Seaboard of the</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>Seceding States—The Federal Navy—Energy of the Northern</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>States—Additions to the Federal Fleet—Position of the</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>Southerners at sea—Want of building yards and material—Commerce</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>destroyers—The <i>Merrimac</i> and the <i>Monitor</i>—The <i>Alabama</i></span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>and her consorts—Attitude of Great Britain—A royal</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>proclamation—Preparation for blockade-running—Amateurish</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>efforts—Daring attempts—The <i>Trent</i> affair—Launched</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>as a blockade-runner.</span></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>At the outbreak of the great American Civil -War I was serving as assistant to a firm of -Liverpool merchants trading chiefly with India -and the United States. There was little in my -life at the outset to foretell the full taste of -danger, excitement, and adventure which it -was my fortune so early to enjoy. I had -nothing to hope for beyond the usual life of -office routine and a dim chance of a partnership -abroad in the future.</p> - -<p class='c006'><a id='Page_2'></a>Young as I was, my interest in the coming -struggle was deeply aroused. From the position -I occupied its significance was brought -home to me with the absorbing interest of a -factor in my career. My own fortunes and -those of my nearest friends seemed at their -outset to be bound up in a piece of history that -promised to leave its mark upon the world. -Nowhere indeed out of America was the -secession of the Southern States more keenly -watched or canvassed than in Liverpool offices -and upon the Exchange of the city, which -American trade had begotten and nursed; and -the particular aspect of the impending war -was most calculated to fill the imagination of -youngsters like myself, who were awakening -from the dreams of boyhood to the excitements -of real life.</p> - -<p class='c006'>It will be remembered that, as soon as -war was seen to be inevitable, President -Lincoln sanctioned the heroic measure of -attempting to choke secession by closing -every orifice through which supplies could be -drawn, and in the middle of April 1861 -rebellion was turned into civil war by his -<a id='Page_3'></a>declaring the whole of the Southern ports -in a state of blockade. One of the immediate -results of this act of President Lincoln was -the prompt acknowledgment of the South -as belligerents by England and France. Yet -the Federal States persisted in maintaining -that the Confederates were rebels, and that -whosoever ventured to recognise them as -belligerents must be regarded as friends of -rebels and no friends of the North. They -ignored the fact that their interference with -neutral trade, by this declaration of blockade, -was a virtual concession of belligerency to -the South. A declaration of blockade presupposes -a state of war and not mere rebellion, -and the claim by the Federals of a right to -seize neutral vessels attempting to break a -blockade was one which can be exercised -only by a belligerent; exercised by any one -else it is mere piracy.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The effect of the news on the Liverpool -Exchange it is needless to describe. By -the scratch of a foreign pen a blow that -was without precedent was struck at the -chief trade of the port. So prodigious indeed -<a id='Page_4'></a>was this first act of war that for some time -there was a doubt whether the Neutral Powers -would recognise it. Only five years before -the Powers assembled at Paris to wind up -the Russian war had by solemn agreement -declared, as the final and universal law of -nations, that blockades to be binding must -be effective; that is to say, that all the ports -declared to be blockaded must be actually -invested, or at least so closely watched by -a cruising squadron that no ship can attempt -to leave or enter without manifest danger of -capture. Now, as the seaboard of the Seceding -States extended from the river Potomac -in Virginia, above Cape Hatteras, down to -the Rio Grande (the southern frontier of -Texas), the coast-line which the Federal -Government had to watch effectively was -some 3000 miles in length. It was studded, -moreover, at wide intervals with ten or a dozen -ports of first-rate importance.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The total fleet of the United States when -the war broke out consisted of less than -150 vessels, of which fully one-third were -quite unserviceable. About forty had crews; -<a id='Page_5'></a>the rest were out of commission, and of these -ten or eleven of the best were lying at the -Norfolk Navy Yard and fell into the hands -of the Confederates. From these figures it -will be seen, therefore, how impossible it was -at first to maintain the blockade which the -Northerners had declared, and how ineffectual -it must be, seeing the length of coast-line to -be watched.</p> - -<p class='c006'>With their usual energy, however, the -Northerners set to work to increase their fleet; -within very few weeks over 150 vessels had -been purchased and equipped for sea, and -more than fifty ironclads and gunboats laid -down and rapidly pushed forward towards -completion. In addition to these a large -number of river craft were requisitioned and -protected by bullet-proof iron for service on -the rivers; but even with these vigorous -measures the blockade was anything but effective -during the first eighteen months or two -years of the war. But the Northerners steadily -and by almost superhuman efforts increased -their fleet, and at the beginning of 1865 had -so far succeeded that they possessed a fleet -<a id='Page_6'></a>of nearly 700 vessels, of which some 150 -were employed upon the blockade of Wilmington -and Charleston alone, and patrolling their -adjacent waters.</p> - -<p class='c006'>It can easily be imagined, therefore, that -attempting to get in and out of those ports -in the latter months of 1864 and the early -ones of 1865 was a very different business -from the condition of affairs which existed -earlier in the war. When the above ports -fell into the hands of the Northerners, the -blockade, considering the nature of the -coast-line and types of vessels employed as -blockaders and runners, was to all intents and -purposes as effective as could be expected; -for the blockading fleet consisted of almost -every description of craft, from the old-fashioned -60-gun frigate to the modern "Ironsides" -and "Monitors," supplemented by dozens of -merchant-steamers converted into gunboats—not -very formidable, perhaps, as war-ships, -but still dangerous to blockade-runners, especially -when fast.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The Southerners, on the other hand, were -practically without any navy, with the exception -<a id='Page_7'></a>of a few old wooden vessels which they seized -at Norfolk Navy Yard at the outbreak of the -war; and, as they were almost entirely devoid -of engineering works, material, or skilled -labour, they could do but little to compete -with the North upon the ocean. Their naval -efforts were chiefly in the direction of supplying -themselves from outside sources with commerce -destroyers, such as the <i>Alabama</i>, <i>Florida</i>, -<i>Shenandoah</i>, <i>Georgia</i>, etc., though from the -wretched and scanty material which they -possessed they succeeded in building two or -three formidable ironclads; but their engines -and armament were defective, and their crews -unskilled. Notwithstanding these drawbacks, -however, the <i>Merrimac</i>, one of the old wooden -steamers which they had seized at Norfolk, -and which they had converted into an ironclad -by covering the hull with railway iron, fought -a gallant fight in Hampton Roads with the -celebrated <i>Monitor</i>, after having destroyed -on the previous day the <i>Congress</i> and <i>Cumberland</i>, -two large Northern war-ships.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Another ironclad was also improvised by -the Southerners at Mobile. She was called -<a id='Page_8'></a>the <i>Tennessee</i>, and was altogether a more formidable -craft than the <i>Merrimac</i>, both as regards -armament and size, but like the <i>Merrimac</i> -was terribly defective in engine power. When -Farragut attacked Mobile she did considerable -damage to his fleet, and for a time engaged -it single-handed, but at last was forced to haul -down her flag.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The Confederates also built another small -ironclad at Wilmington on the same lines as -the <i>Merrimac</i> and <i>Tennessee</i>, but unfortunately -she ran ashore on her passage down the river, -in order to attack the blockaders outside, and -became a total wreck. In addition to the -ships I have mentioned they possessed the -<i>Sumpter</i>, <i>Rappahanock</i>, <i>Tallahasse</i> (steamers), -and several sailing vessels; but with these -vessels they had no chance against their -powerful rivals in actual warfare, although the -<i>Alabama</i> and her consorts swept the mercantile -navy of the United States from the ocean.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Seeing how inadequate the Federal navy -was at the time when the blockade was declared, -there was certainly a strong case for treating -President Lincoln's prohibition as a mere -<a id='Page_9'></a>"paper" blockade. This, however, the British -Government did not choose to do. At this -time we were particularly anxious, in view -of the coming International Exhibition, to -stand well with all men and to be entangled -in no foreign complications. Within a fortnight, -therefore, of the receipt of the news, there came -out a Royal Proclamation enjoining on all -loyal subjects of the British Crown an attitude -of strict neutrality, and solemnly admonishing -them under pain of Her Majesty's displeasure -to respect the Federal blockade.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Needless to say, the proclamation awakened -no respect whatever for the blockade. The -lecture in the latter part of it was received -in the spirit in which it was issued—as a piece -of mere international courtesy; and those -of Her Majesty's loyal subjects who were -most affected by the new situation at once -took steps to make the best of it. With due -respect to the pain of Her Majesty's displeasure -we all knew that to run a foreign -blockade could never be an offence against -the laws of the realm, nor were we to be -persuaded that any number of successful or -<a id='Page_10'></a>unsuccessful attempts to enter the proclaimed -ports could ever constitute a breach of neutrality. -Firm after firm, with an entirely clear -conscience, set about endeavouring to recoup -itself for the loss of legitimate trade by the -high profits to be made out of successful -evasions of the Federal cruisers; and in -Liverpool was awakened a spirit the like of -which had not been known since the palmy -days of the slave trade.</p> - -<p class='c006'>It was a spirit of adventurous commerce -savouring of the good old days of the French -wars, when a lad might any day be called from -the office to take his place on the deck of a -privateer, and when daring spirits were always -ready to steal away from a convoy and run -the risk of capture on the chance of getting -the cream of the market. The risks a -blockade-runner had to face were much the -same, for as no Government pretends to -interfere with its citizens if they choose at -their peril to trade in the face of a blockade, -so no protection or redress is given them if -they are caught red-handed. After official -notification of blockade any neutral vessel -<a id='Page_11'></a>attempting to leave or enter a blockaded port -forfeits its neutrality and places itself in the -position of a hostile belligerent. The blockading -force is entitled to treat such a ship in -all respects as an enemy, and to use any -means recognised in civilised warfare to drive -off, capture, or destroy her. A crew so -captured may be treated as prisoners of war, -and their vessel carried into the captor's -port, where after condemnation by an Admiralty -court she becomes his prize. Nor is any -resistance to capture permitted, and a single -blow or shot in his own defence turns the -blockade-runner into a pirate.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Such was the exciting prospect our seamen -and supercargoes had before them as they -sailed for the Southern ports. At first, of -course, the risk was not thought very great; -the Confederate ports were so many and far -between, and the Federal navy so weak and -unorganised, that vessels proceeded very much -as if there was no blockade at all. The -consequence was that as early as June 1861, -barely two months after the declaration of the -blockade, several English vessels had been -<a id='Page_12'></a>seized and condemned. Almost every week -after that brought news of fresh captures; on -the other hand, so many ships succeeded in -getting through the widely scattered cruisers, -that the business still went on in the old -clumsy way. We had neither of us learnt -our trade then; the Federal captains, in hopes -of fat prizes, cruised without order and chased -wide, leaving ports open for new-comers, while -our best idea of minimising risks was to send -out old unseaworthy slugs which we could well -afford to lose.</p> - -<p class='c006'>During the whole of the first year of the -war it was in this amateurish way that things -went on. A pretty regular tale of captures -came in, and among the reports the mails -brought home began to be whispered stories -of daring attempts, and hair-breadth escapes, -that set many a youngster kicking very -impatiently under his desk. There came -stories, too, of exasperated or ill-conditioned -Federal captains who had behaved with -unwarrantable bluster or tyranny to captured -crews, and these began to awaken in mercantile -circles a partisan leaning towards the South, -<a id='Page_13'></a>which certainly did not exist at the beginning -of the war. Some of us, it must be confessed, -were growing oblivious of our duty as loyal -subjects and of the solemn admonitions of the -proclamation of neutrality, and for not a few -the profit of making a successful run began to -be seasoned with the pleasure of doing a good -turn to the South. It is all bygone now; -runners can laugh over the rough knocks they -sometimes got, and blockaders at the weary -dance they were led. But in those days the -ill feeling was very strong, and in the midst -of all the fermenting irritation dropped the -grating surprise of the <i>Trent</i> affair.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Captain Wilkes, a Federal naval officer -commanding the West India station and -engaged in blockade duties, took upon himself, -with more zeal than law, to board the <i>Trent</i>, -a British mail steamer, on the high seas, and -seize from its deck two Confederate diplomatic -agents who were passengers from Havana, -accredited respectively to the French and the -British Governments. There is no doubt that -the English nation was prepared to make any -sacrifice to resent this outrage, and feeling ran -<a id='Page_14'></a>very deep while we waited for the answer to -our demands for redress. It cannot be denied -that people on the other side made themselves -a little ridiculous and irritating over our -perfectly reasonable request for the surrender -of the prisoners. Captain Wilkes was the -hero of the hour, and blustering exultation -over England the tune of the street. But -in the White House heads were cooler, and -in due course full reparation was made. Still -the "spoiled child of diplomacy" was not -made to apologise—she barely expressed -regret, and her omission of this international -courtesy, combined with the extravagances of -her press, confirmed in many Englishmen -their inchoate partisanship for the South.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Such was the state of things when, one -day early in the year 1862, one of the partners -in the house where I was serving called me -into his room. After telling me how he and a -few friends had purchased a steamer to have -a try at the blockade, he asked me if I would -care to go as supercargo?</p> - -<p class='c006'>The answer was not doubtful. It was a -stroke of luck far better than I had any right -<a id='Page_15'></a>to expect at my age (for I was but twenty-one), -and needless to say I embraced my -fortune with alacrity.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"By all means," said I, "if I am not too -young."</p> - -<p class='c006'>My chief was good enough to say that he -thought I was <i>not</i> too young, and so I was -fairly launched in my career as a blockade-runner.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <a id='Page_16'></a> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER II<br /> <br />MY FIRST ATTEMPT ON THE <i>DESPATCH</i></h2> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c011'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='small'>The <i>Despatch</i>—A blockade-runner's cargo—The start for the</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>West Indies—Put back to Queenstown—A terrific gale—Arrival at</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>Nassau—The dangers of somnambulism—A haunt for buccaneers—A</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>sleepy settlement—Neutral territory—Southern firms running</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>the blockade—Nassau as a basis of operations—The <i>Despatch</i></span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>condemned—Efforts to meet a more stringent blockade—"No cure</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>no pay"—Yellow fever—Seizure of the <i>Despatch</i>—A scheme</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>for her rescue—Her release.</span></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>Were it only for the glimpse it gives of the -state of the mercantile marine thirty years ago, -my first voyage would be worth relating. -Those who do not know how things were -before the Plimsoll Act had made a revolution -in Merchant Shipping would hardly believe -what a man even in my position was expected -to undergo without complaint.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The steamer that had been purchased as a -blockade-runner, like most others at this time, -was quite unfit for the purpose. To explain -<a id='Page_17'></a>that she was a second-hand Irish cattle boat -will convey to those who have voyaged in St. -George's Channel a fair idea of what she was. -Those who have not must understand that the -average quality and condition of such craft are -very low, and the <i>Despatch</i> was not above -the average. Her boilers were nearly worn -out; her engines had been sadly neglected; -and added to this, she drew far too much -water for the hazardous entrances of the -blockaded ports. But so indifferent were the -ships at this time composing the blockading -squadrons, so insufficient their numbers, and so -inefficient their crews, that during the first year -small sailing vessels of light draught and ordinary -trading steamers were employed for the -purpose of running the blockade.</p> - -<p class='c006'>As has been shown, anything was thought -good enough for a blockade-runner then, and -no time was lost in getting a cargo on board -the <i>Despatch</i>. In choosing this there was not -much difficulty. In January a vessel flying -the Confederate colours had put into Liverpool; -she had run the blockade out and was -thus able to bring us, not only the latest news -<a id='Page_18'></a>of the Federal fleet, but also full information -of the kind of cargo that would be most welcome -in the Southern ports.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The chief requirements were war materials -of every sort, cloth for uniforms, buttons, -thread, boots, stockings, and all clothing, -medicines, salt, boiler-iron, steel, copper, zinc, -and chemicals. As it did not pay merchants -to ship heavy goods, the charge for freight per -ton at Nassau being £80 to £100 in gold, a -great portion of the cargo generally consisted -of light goods, such as silks, laces, linens, -quinine, etc., on which immense profits were -made. At this time there were no mills, and -practically no manufactories in the Confederate -States, so their means of production were <i>nil</i>. -With the progress of the war their need of war -material increased so sorely that in 1864 the -Confederate Government limited the freight-room -on private account, and prohibited the -importation of luxuries on the ground that if -allowed to come in and be purchased the -resources of the country would thereby be -absorbed.</p> - -<p class='c006'>As soon as her lading was complete a start -<a id='Page_19'></a>was made. And what a start it was! It almost -takes one's breath away in these be-legislated -days to think what the <i>Despatch</i> must have -looked like as she dropped down the Mersey. -Her owners had taken advantage of their -timely information to load her down, as low -as she would float, with a cargo consisting of -ponderous cases and barrels of war material -as well as light goods; her deck was piled as -high as the rail with coal, which had to be -taken for the voyage to Nassau, so as to -avoid calling at any intermediate port; and she -steamed out to brave the Atlantic with barely -one foot of freeboard to her credit.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Fortunately at the outset the weather kept -fair, or my career must have had a very premature -end; but thanks to an unusually fine -February we wallowed along pretty comfortably, -till we had made some 400 miles to the -south-west of Ireland. Here, however, through -the carelessness of the engineers, the water -was allowed to get so low in the boilers that -the crowns to the furnaces of one of them were -"brought down." This means that only by a -miracle was an explosion escaped, and that the -<a id='Page_20'></a><i>Despatch</i> was entirely incapacitated from proceeding -on her voyage. There was nothing to -do but to put back for repairs, under one boiler, -and we laid her head for Queenstown, thanking -our stars it was no worse.</p> - -<p class='c006'>It was three weeks before we could get to -sea again, and then it was only to find ourselves -once more on the brink of destruction. -Before we had passed the Azores we came in -for a terrific gale, which our overladen vessel -was in no condition to meet; she speedily -sprang a leak, so serious that in a very short -time four of the eight furnaces were extinguished -and the firemen were toiling at the -rest up to their knees in water. For hours we -looked for her to founder at any moment, as -the gray breakers came rolling upon us, but -somehow we managed to keep her afloat, and -in due course were ploughing through the -sunny waters of New Providence, and came -to rest in the pretty harbour of Nassau.</p> - -<p class='c006'>In those days I was a confirmed somnambulist, -and one stormy night considerably astonished -the officer of the watch by suddenly -appearing on the bridge at midnight in bare -<a id='Page_21'></a>feet and sleeping attire. Gripping him by the -arm I yelled, "For God's sake respect the -spars," and turning on my heel returned to -my cabin along the slippery deck, with the -steamer pitching and rolling in half a gale of -wind. Of course the man thought I was mad, -but was too astonished to seize me; perhaps it -was fortunate he did not do so, as to have been -suddenly awakened in such a situation might -have been anything but pleasant. I have for -many years given up this dangerous habit. -My last escapade occurred a long time ago, -when one afternoon on board a P. & O. steamer, -while taking a siesta, I suddenly jumped -through the upper half door of my deck -cabin and appeared in very light attire, to the -astonished gaze of some fifty passengers who -were on the quarter-deck. Fortunately a -friend who was travelling with me managed -to clasp me round the waist before I could -jump overboard, and conducted me to my cabin -none the worse, except for a skinned nose and -barked shins. My fellow-passengers, however, -were evidently suspicious regarding my condition -of mind, and looked very much askance -<a id='Page_22'></a>when I appeared at dinner, thinking no doubt -that I was a lunatic and my friend my keeper.</p> - -<p class='c006'>If that voyage had been almost enough to -extinguish all the ardour I had for the life -before me, Nassau was enough to set it well -aflame again. The very thought of the place -and of the exciting life there in those days, -through the brief fever of its prosperity, sets -my fancy tingling even now.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Those few short years of extravagant importance—so -sudden, so fitful, so completely -passed away—are like a dream, and it seems -almost impossible to revive a picture of what -Nassau was when it found itself the base of -operations against the great blockade. For -centuries the little town had slumbered in -complete obscurity. Depopulated and abandoned -in the old days by the Spaniards, it -had been occupied in Stuart times by Englishmen, -and became a haunt of buccaneers. Then -followed a century or so when it was a counter -for diplomatists, and buccaneers settled down -into wreckers, scraping together hard-earned -living from the hurricanes' leavings, and filling -up the dull months between the stormy seasons -<a id='Page_23'></a>with a little fruit raising and sponge fishing. -Thus ingloriously had it faded into the obscurest -of colonial capitals, with a population -of some 3000 or 4000 souls. There lived and -ruled the Governor of the Bahamas, and there -lived the Chief Justice and the Bishop; these -with their modest following, and the officers -of a West India regiment and a few of the -leading merchants and their families, made up -almost all there was of society! Little more -eventful ever broke the monotony of their -feuds and friendships than the visit of one of -the ships forming the West Indian squadron. -Their Lilliputian politics went on from year to -year, undisturbed and uncared for; there was -nothing to mark their place in the world but -a dusty pigeon-hole somewhere in the Colonial -Office, which was filled, and emptied, and filled -again. Every one was poor and every one -lazily hopeless of any further development; -a few schooners that came and went at infrequent -intervals sufficed for all the trade -there was, and the whole air of the sleepy -settlement had been one of indolent acquiescence -in its own obscurity.</p> - -<p class='c006'><a id='Page_24'></a>Then past all expectations came the war, -and gold poured into its astonished lap. -When first I saw the low line of houses -nestling in the tropical vegetation of their -gardens a change had already taken place. -The blockade had been on foot a bare year, -but even then the quiet little port had asserted -its new importance and was overflowing with -the turmoil of life. Many influential firms -connected with the Southern States, and also -English ones, had established agencies there, -and almost every day steamers managed by -those agents left the harbour to try their luck -at evading the blockade or arrived with cargoes -of cotton from the beleagured ports. Of course, -seeing that Nassau was only some 560 miles -from Charleston and 640 from Wilmington, -and that, moreover, the chain of the Bahama -islets extended some hundred miles in the -direction of those ports, thus providing the -extra protection of neutral territory for that -distance, Nassau was <i>par excellence</i> the base -for approaching the blockaded Atlantic ports -of the South. Bermuda was its rival, but -only in a lesser degree, as it was further off, -<a id='Page_25'></a>and its conveniences as regards communication -and accommodation were less. It is some -690 miles distant from Wilmington, the course -being somewhat to the northward of west, -and in the autumn especially it was seldom -possible to get over without encountering a -gale of wind. The one thing necessary for -the blockading vessels being speed, their hulls -were of the lightest description; this, coupled -with the fact that they were always loaded -down deep with coal, made a gale of wind -an even worse enemy to encounter than a -Federal cruiser.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Havana was the best base for the Gulf -ports, but as New Orleans was captured early -on in the war, Galveston and Mobile were -the only two blockaded ports that could be -approached from it; and seeing the difficulty -there was in procuring cotton at those places -and of disposing of inward cargoes, the trade -done with them was a flea-bite compared with -that from Charleston and Wilmington. At -one time the trade of these two ports assumed -very large proportions; the number of vessels -employed in it was astonishing, and no sooner -<a id='Page_26'></a>was one sunk, stranded, burnt, or captured -than two more seemed to take her place.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Of Southern firms Messrs. Fraser, Trenholm, -and Co. did the largest business, as they were -not only engaged largely on their own account -in blockade-running enterprises, but they were -also agents for the Southern States Government. -Their representative in Nassau, Mr. J. -B. Lafitte, a charming man in every respect, -occupied a most prominent position,—in fact -more prominent than that of the Governor -himself, and certainly he was remunerated -better.</p> - -<p class='c006'>After Fraser, Trenholm, and Co. came the -English firm of Alex. Collie and Co., at that -time one of great repute, represented by my -friend L. G. Watson, and they from time to -time were possessed of a large fleet of runners -commanded mostly by naval officers. After -them came the house I represented, which -from first to last owned some fifteen steamers; -and after them a number of small firms, owning -perhaps one, possibly two, boats apiece, -so that in the aggregate the number of boats -and the capital employed was enormous.</p> - -<p class='c006'><a id='Page_27'></a>So nicely has Nature dispersed the Bahamas -that they afforded neutral water to within fifty -miles of the American coast, and no sooner -was the blockade declared than the advantages -of Nassau as a basis of operations were recognised -and embraced. The harbour was alive -with shipping, the quays were piled with cotton, -the streets were thronged with busy life. So -far grown and established indeed did I find the -business of blockade-running, that I was seized -with a sense of being late in the field and with -a desire to rush in and reclaim lost time. -Fortunately there was little to delay us, so, -full of impatience and excitement, we set about -preparing for a run. Our supplies were ready, -and in the harbour lay a barque which had -been sent out to act as my coal store-ship, and -afterwards she was to carry home any cotton -we should succeed in getting out. Nothing -seemed wanting for a start, but I was doomed -to disappointment. No sooner did I begin to -pick up the lore of the place than the unpleasant -truth came out.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Even in the early days there were men -whose tales of successful trips gave them a -<a id='Page_28'></a>reputation as "blockade experts," and every -one of them condemned the <i>Despatch</i> as -wholly unfit for the work. The blockade was -already gaining system and coherence; the -Northerners, no longer content with simply -blockading the Confederate ports, had established -a chain of powerful cruisers which -patrolled the seas from the American coast -to the very entrance of Nassau harbour. The -old <i>Despatch</i> was much too slow to stand a -ghost of a chance of escaping them, moreover -she drew so much water that the Charleston -bar was the only one she could hope to get -over, and it was now so strictly watched that -a craft so unhandy was certain to be captured -in the attempt.</p> - -<p class='c006'>After all I had gone through it was a bitter -pill to swallow, but it was impossible for a man -entirely without experience, as I was then, to -ignore the exasperating unanimity of the -experts; therefore after consultation with the -local agent of my firm I resolved to sell my -cargoes on the spot and get both vessels home -to the best advantage.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Still I was not without consolation. Although -<a id='Page_29'></a>within a year of the beginning of the -blockade the North, in pursuit of a steady -policy, had secured various bases on the -blockaded coast for the use of their squadrons, -which were rapidly being augmented by improved -types of vessels, and had thereby reduced -considerably the number of points to be -watched, and though the business of blockade-running -was now becoming risky, no time was -lost in endeavouring to meet the new demands -on our energy and skill. If the Federals were -learning the business, so were we. It was -clear that the blockade-runners must not only -be increased in numbers but must be improved -in type. The day of sailing vessels and ordinary -trading steamers was over; accordingly -steamers of great speed were ordered to be -built expressly for the service.</p> - -<p class='c006'>I knew that at home one of the first vessels -specially built for blockade-running had been -laid down and was rapidly being completed, -also that she was to be placed under my charge -as soon as ready. Accordingly, towards the -end of the year, after making my preliminary -arrangements, I went home full of hope, although -<a id='Page_30'></a>sadly impatient at the year's delay -caused by all the mistakes and disasters.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Before getting there, however, I had an -anxious time to pass through; it was necessary -to provide some employment for the -<i>Despatch</i> and her consort the barque <i>Astoria</i>, -and as no direct freight could be -obtained for either I had to cast about for -intermediate work for them. The sailing -vessel I despatched to New York, and in an -evil moment I made a contract, on the "no -cure no pay" principle, for the <i>Despatch</i> to -tow a disabled steamer to the same port, -arranging to go myself in the mail steamer -so as to meet both ships there.</p> - -<p class='c006'>After I had completed my Nassau business -I did so, and on my arrival at New York I -was disgusted to find both vessels in quarantine -with yellow fever on board; also that the -<i>Despatch</i> had dropped her tow off Port-Royal -in a gale of wind and come on without her.</p> - -<p class='c006'>This was a pretty mess for a youngster to -be in, in a strange port like New York, where -everything connected with Nassau was looked -upon with suspicion, and the fear of yellow -<a id='Page_31'></a>fever was rampant. It was my first intimate -acquaintance with the disease, but, fortunately, -the cooler climate in time worked its own cure, -and, after encountering innumerable quarantine -difficulties, both vessels were given pratique, -but not before several deaths had occurred.</p> - -<p class='c006'>In the interim the <i>Despatch</i> was seized for -$30,000 at the suit of the owners of the -steamer which she had attempted to tow, as -damages for letting her go; and she was only -released from quarantine to find herself in the -clutches of the Marshal of the port. As I had -no means for providing the required security, -the captain and I formed rather a mad scheme -to rescue her from his clutches. The captain -was to get her under weigh quietly, taking the -Marshal's officer with him, while I remained -behind to lull suspicion. Early one misty -morning he accomplished this successfully and -began to steam slowly down the Bay, but the -revenue cutter lying close alongside gave the -alarm, and the forts opened fire at once. For -a time he held on, and was nearly out of range -when the pilot, fearing, I presume, for his -share in the transaction, declined to go further, -<a id='Page_32'></a>and there was nothing for it but ignominiously -to return. Of course all this made my position -worse, but, to make a long story short, a kind -friend, a prominent New York banker, went -bail for me, and the <i>Despatch</i> was released and -loaded for home. Finally I compromised the -case for about $2000. The barque I sent on -to St. John, and, following her myself by -steamer, I chartered her to carry home a -cargo of timber.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <a id='Page_33'></a> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER III<br /> <br />THE <i>BANSHEE</i> NO. 1</h2> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c011'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='small'>A landmark in marine architecture—The lines of the <i>Banshee</i>—Her</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>crew—Serious defects—Loss of time—Driven back off the</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>Fastnet—Arrival at Madeira—Northerners and the duties of</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>neutrals—Southern sympathies—Federal cruisers—Nearing the</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>Bahamas—Admiral Wilkes—The <i>Banshee</i> runs into</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>Nassau—Preparing for business—A daring and successful</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>commander—Engineer Erskine—Tom Burroughs.</span></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>After my disappointment it will easily be -imagined how anxious I was to know how -my new ship was progressing. On reaching -Liverpool my first care was to visit the yard -where she was being built. To my great delight -I found her almost completed, and a marvel -of shipbuilding as it seemed to us then. For -the <i>Banshee</i>, as she was called, may claim to -be a landmark not only in the development -of blockade but also of marine architecture. -With the exception of a boat built for Livingstone -<a id='Page_34'></a>of African fame, she was, I believe, the first -steel ship ever laid down. The new blockade-runner -was a paddle boat, built of steel, on -extraordinarily fine lines, 214 feet long and 20 -feet beam, and drew only 8 feet of water. Her -masts were mere poles without yards, and with -the least possible rigging. In order to attain -greater speed in a sea-way she was built with a -turtle-back deck forward. She was of 217 tons -net register, and had an anticipated sea speed -of eleven knots, with a coal consumption of -thirty tons a day. Her crew, which included -three engineers and twelve firemen, consisted -of thirty-six hands all told.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Steel ship-building was then in its infancy, -and the <i>Banshee</i> was the first of a fleet that -was soon to become famous. There were -several similar steamers already in hand, and -although no one could tell how they would -behave when exposed to the great seas of -the Atlantic, the best results were anticipated -from the strength and lightness of their -materials. They were expected to develop -a buoyancy beyond everything that had yet -been seen, and American naval officers awaited -<a id='Page_35'></a>their arrival on the scene of activity with an -interest as great as ours.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The <i>Banshee</i> was ready for sea early in -1863, and I had the satisfaction of finding myself -steaming down the Mersey in the <i>first</i> -steel vessel that ever crossed the Atlantic.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Like most first attempts, however, she was -far from a success, and by the time we reached -Queenstown she had betrayed serious defects. -To begin with, the speed she developed was -extremely disappointing. With the idea of -protecting her boilers from shot, they had been -constructed so low that they had not sufficient -steam space, and, worse than this, the plates of -which she was built, being only an 1/8 and 3/16 of an -inch thick, she proved so weak that her decks -leaked like a sieve. It was found absolutely -necessary to put into Queenstown and make -such alterations as were possible. Thus three -more weeks were lost, and when at last we -were able to put out again it was only to be -driven back off the Fastnet by a south-westerly -gale, which swept the <i>Banshee</i> clean from stem -to stern of everything on deck, filled her fore -stoke-hole, and compelled us to return for fresh -<a id='Page_36'></a>repairs. Considering how frail the vessel was, -the wonder is, not that the <i>Banshee</i> was driven -back, but that she ever got across the Atlantic -at all. Still her next start was successful, and -reaching Madeira without adventure, excepting -a close shave from being run down in the Bay -of Biscay by a French barque, she began her -real career as a blockade-runner.</p> - -<p class='c006'>For even here danger began. At this time -a great deal of bad blood was caused by the -way in which the Northerners in their efforts to -enforce a blockade were extending the doctrine -of the operations permissible to belligerents. -But there is no doubt now that they were -perfectly right. True, the proposition that a -belligerent might seize a neutral ship for attempted -breach of blockade thousands of miles -away from the blockaded coast was one that -would have been condemned by the old school -of International lawyers as nothing less than -monstrous, and by none more energetically -than the great publicists who have so richly -adorned the American bench.</p> - -<p class='c006'>So far were such doctrines from being -recognised, that it was generally held that a -<a id='Page_37'></a>vessel making a long ocean voyage might -even call at a blockaded port to inquire if the -blockade was still existent, and, no matter how -suspicious her intentions, she was entitled to -a warning before being captured. But it must -be remembered that those were the days of -sailing ships, which might have been without -any news of passing events for months. No -blockade of any importance had yet been -subjected to the new conditions of steam -navigation, and it was unreasonable to expect -that the blockaders would hold themselves -bound by rules which never contemplated the -existing state of things. If the Americans -were stretching the theory of blockade, it was -only because we were extending its practice. -It was not to be argued that, if we were -building a whole fleet of steamers for the -express purpose of defying their cruisers, they -were not justified in trying to intercept them -at any point they chose. From the very outset -the voyages of these vessels showed them -to be guilty, and the most barefaced advocate -could hardly have maintained without shame -that they were protected by their ostensibly -<a id='Page_38'></a>neutral destination, when that destination was -a notorious nest of offence like Nassau.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Still the new methods were none the less -galling to the susceptibilities of British -merchants, who of all men claimed to go and -come on the high seas as they pleased, and -every day those engaged in the service became -more pronounced in their Southern sympathies, -and louder in their denunciations of -the Northerner's high-handed ways.</p> - -<p class='c006'>In order to economise coal the <i>Banshee</i> -was taking the usual course adopted by -sailing vessels. This was the ordinary -practice of runners, and as the Federals grew -bolder, stronger, and more exasperated, they -stretched their patrolling cruisers further and -further across the Atlantic, till, a few weeks -after the <i>Banshee</i> left Madeira, a Federal ship -of war was actually lying in wait for one of -the new runners at the mouth of Funchal Bay! -The moment the British vessel put to sea the -American opened fire upon her as mercilessly -as though she were coming out of Charleston -or Wilmington instead of out of a neutral port, -and nothing but superior speed and clever -<a id='Page_39'></a>handling saved her from destruction within -sight and sound of neutral territory.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The <i>Banshee</i> having been earlier in the -field was more fortunate, but the voyage was -none the less exciting as she neared the -Bahamas. The neighbouring seas were alive -with cruisers who, regarding everything -bound for Nassau as <i>primâ facie</i> guilty of an -intention to break the blockade, seized any -vessel they had a mind to on the chance of -getting her condemned in the United States -Courts. Indeed, the principal centres of -blockade-running were almost as closely -invested as the ports of the Confederate -States, and only a few months before the -notorious Captain Wilkes (now promoted to -the rank of Admiral for his popular but unwarrantable -conduct in the <i>Trent</i> affair) had -been further distinguishing himself by literally -blockading Bermuda with the squadron under -his command.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Although from first to last the British -Government showed nothing but sympathy -with the Northern States in the difficult -task of their blockade, and although they -<a id='Page_40'></a>never once complained of a decision of the -American Courts, or in any way countenanced -the runners, this was going a little too far. -A protest was unavoidable, and considering -the antecedents of Admiral Wilkes the -Federal Government could hardly complain -if two British war-ships were ordered to watch -the over-zealous officer. It would appear -that at the White House the representations -from St. James's were regarded as reasonable, -for after this the American cruisers kept a -more deferential distance; the <i>Banshee</i> at any -rate was able to run into Nassau without -being overhauled, and her arrival there caused -a great sensation, as being the first boat -specially built for the service.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Having received the congratulations of my -many friends at Nassau upon possessing so -fine a tool to work with, I at once set about -getting her ready for a trip as soon as the -nights set in dark enough. For so vigilant -had the blockading force become by this time, -that a successful run was considered practically -impossible except on moonless nights. -Invisibility, care, and determination were the -<a id='Page_41'></a>secrets of success, and to this end the <i>Banshee</i> -was carefully prepared. Everything aloft was -taken down, till nothing was left standing but -the two lower masts with small cross-trees -for a look-out man on the fore, and the boats -were lowered to the level of the rails. The -whole ship was then painted a sort of dull white, -the precise shade of which was so nicely ascertained -by experience before the end of the -war that a properly dressed runner on a dark -night was absolutely indiscernible at a cable's -length. So particular were captains on this -point that some of them even insisted on their -crews wearing white at night, holding that -one black figure on the bridge or on deck was -enough to betray an otherwise invisible vessel.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Perfect as the <i>Banshee</i> looked, when her -toilet was complete, I was even more fortunate -in my crew.</p> - -<p class='c006'>For captain I had Steele, one of the -most daring and successful commanders the -time brought out. Absolutely devoid of fear, -never flurried, decided and ready in emergency, -and careful as a mother, he was the -beau-ideal of a blockade-runner. Already he -<a id='Page_42'></a>had served his apprenticeship to the trade -and knew what failure meant, for while in -command of the <i>Tubal Cain</i> he had been -captured on his very first trip, and, after -tasting for a short time the hospitality of an -American prison, had been released—richer by -the experience, but in no wise daunted.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The chief engineer, Erskine, too, had seen -service, having worked as second engineer on -board the Confederate cruiser <i>Oreto</i>, when the -famous Captain Maffitt ran her into Savannah. -As the engines of a blockade-runner are her -arm, her success must necessarily in great -measure depend on the qualities of her -engineer, and it would have been hard to find -a better man for the task than Erskine. Cool -in danger, full of resource in sudden difficulty, -and as steady as the tide, he was yet capable -of fearlessly risking everything and straining -to the last pound, when the word came, in one -of those rousing forms of expression with -which old Steele was wont to notify down the -engine-room tube, that the critical moment -had come.</p> - -<p class='c006'>For pilot a Wilmington man had been -<a id='Page_43'></a>sent out by our agents there, and was waiting -for me at Nassau. He too turned out a -jewel. He knew his port like his own face, -and the most trying situations or heaviest -firing could never put him off or disturb his -serene self-possession. For all his duties he -had an instinct that approached genius. On -the blackest night he could always make out -a blockader several minutes before any one -else; and so acute at last did this sense -become, that it used to be a byword that -Tom Burroughs at last got to smell a cruiser -long before he could see her.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Through the ignorance or cowardice of the -pilot vessels were frequently lost, and to obtain -a good pilot was as troublesome as it was -essential. The risk they ran was great, for if -captured they were never exchanged; but their -pay, which frequently amounted to £700 or -£800 a round trip, was proportionate to the risk.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Thus well equipped and laden with arms, -gunpowder, boots, and all kinds of contraband -of war, as soon as the moon was right, the -<i>Banshee</i> stole out of Nassau for the first time -to make the best of her way to Wilmington.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <a id='Page_44'></a> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER IV<br /> <br />THE <i>BANSHEE'S</i> FIRST RUN IN</h2> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c011'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='small'>The approach to Wilmington—Fort Fisher—Tactics of the</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>blockading squadron—Reason of the <i>Banshee's</i></span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>success—The look-out man—The dangers of blockade-running—The</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>favourite course into Wilmington—All lights out—An anxious</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>moment—Taking soundings—In the midst of the enemy—A false</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>reckoning—The big hill—Attacked by gun-boats—Fort Fisher wide</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>awake—Safely over the bar—The days of champagne cocktails.</span></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>Wilmington was the first port I attempted; -in fact with the exception of one run to -Galveston it was always our destination. It -had many advantages. Though furthest -from Nassau it was nearest to headquarters -at Richmond, and from its situation was very -difficult to watch effectively. It was here -moreover, that my firm had established its -agency as soon as they had resolved to takeup -the blockade-running business. The town -itself lies some sixteen miles up the Cape Fear -river, which falls into the ocean at a point -where the coast forms the sharp salient angle -from which the river takes its name. Off its -mouth lies a delta, known as Smith's Island, -which not only emphasises the obnoxious -formation of the coast, but also divides the -approach to the port into two widely separated -channels, so that in order to guard the approach -to it a blockading-force is compelled to divide -into two squadrons.</p> - -<div class='figcenter id003'> -<span class='pageno' title='45' id='Page_45'></span> -<img src='images/i073.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic001'> -<p>PLAN OF WILMINGTON HARBOUR.</p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c006'><a id='Page_46'></a>At one entrance of the river lies Fort Fisher, -a work so powerful that the blockaders instead -of lying in the estuary were obliged to form -roughly a semicircle out of range of its guns, -and the falling away of the coast on either side -of the entrance further increased the extent of -ground they had to cover. The system they -adopted in order to meet the difficulty was -extremely well conceived, and, did we not know -to the contrary, it would have appeared complete -enough to ensure the capture of every vessel -so foolhardy as to attempt to enter or come out.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Across either entrance an inshore squadron -was stationed at close intervals. In the daytime -the steamers composing this squadron anchored, -but at night they got under weigh and patrolled -in touch with the flagship, which, as a rule, -remained at anchor. Further out there was -a cordon of cruisers, and outside these again -detached gun-boats keeping at such a distance -from the coast as they calculated a runner -coming out would traverse between the time -of high water on Wilmington bar and sunrise, -<a id='Page_47'></a>so that if any blockade-runner coming out -got through the two inner lines in the dark -she had every chance of being snapped up at -daybreak by one of the third division.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Besides these special precautions for Wilmington -there must not be forgotten the ships -engaged in the general service of the blockade, -consisting, in addition to those detailed to -watch Nassau and other bases, of free cruisers -that patrolled the Gulf-stream. From this it -will be seen readily, that from the moment the -<i>Banshee</i> left Nassau harbour till she had -passed the protecting forts at the mouth of -Cape Fear river, she and those on board -her could never be safe from danger or free -for a single hour from anxiety. But, although -at this time the system was already fairly well -developed, the Northerners had not yet enough -ships at work to make it as effective as it afterwards -became.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The <i>Banshee's</i> engines proved so unsatisfactory -that under ordinary conditions nine or -ten knots was all we could get out of her; she -was therefore not permitted to run any avoidable -risks, and to this I attribute her extraordinary -<a id='Page_48'></a>success where better boats failed. As -long as daylight lasted a man was never out -of the cross-trees, and the moment a sail was -seen the <i>Banshee's</i> stern was turned to it till -it was dropped below the horizon. The lookout -man, to quicken his eyes, had a dollar -for every sail he sighted, and if it were seen -from the deck first he was fined five. This -may appear excessive, but the importance in -blockade-running of seeing before you are -seen is too great for any chance to be neglected; -and it must be remembered that the pay of -ordinary seamen for each round trip in and -out was from £50 to £60.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Following these tactics we crept noiselessly -along the shores of the Bahamas, invisible in -the darkness, and ran on unmolested for the -first two days out, though our course was often -interfered with by the necessity of avoiding -hostile vessels; then came the anxious moment -on the third, when, her position having been -taken at noon to see if she was near enough -to run under the guns of Fort Fisher before the -following daybreak, it was found there was just -time, but none to spare for accidents or delay. -<a id='Page_49'></a>Still the danger of lying out another day so -close to the blockaded port was very great, and -rather than risk it we resolved to keep straight -on our course and chance being overtaken by -daylight before we were under the Fort.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Now the real excitement began, and nothing -I have ever experienced can compare with it. -Hunting, pig-sticking, steeple-chasing, big-game -shooting, polo—I have done a little -of each—all have their thrilling moments, but -none can approach "running a blockade"; -and perhaps my readers can sympathise with -my enthusiasm when they consider the dangers -to be encountered, after three days of constant -anxiety and little sleep, in threading our way -through a swarm of blockaders, and the accuracy -required to hit in the nick of time the mouth of -a river only half a mile wide, without lights and -with a coast-line so low and featureless that -as a rule the first intimation we had of its -nearness was the dim white line of the surf.</p> - -<p class='c006'>There were of course many different plans -of getting in, but at this time the favourite -dodge was to run up some fifteen or twenty -miles to the north of Cape Fear, so as to round -<a id='Page_50'></a>the northernmost of the blockaders, instead of -dashing right through the inner squadron; -then to creep down close to the surf till the -river was reached: and this was the course the -<i>Banshee</i> intended to adopt.</p> - -<p class='c006'>We steamed cautiously on until nightfall: -the night proved dark, but dangerously clear -and calm. No lights were allowed—not even -a cigar; the engine-room hatchways were -covered with tarpaulins, at the risk of suffocating -the unfortunate engineers and stokers in -the almost insufferable atmosphere below. But -it was absolutely imperative that not a glimmer -of light should appear. Even the binnacle -was covered, and the steersman had to see -as much of the compass as he could through -a conical aperture carried almost up to his eyes.</p> - -<p class='c006'>With everything thus in readiness we -steamed on in silence except for the stroke -of the engines and the beat of the paddle-floats, -which in the calm of the night seemed distressingly -loud; all hands were on deck, crouching -behind the bulwarks; and we on the bridge, -namely, the captain, the pilot, and I, were -straining our eyes into the darkness. Presently -<a id='Page_51'></a>Burroughs made an uneasy movement—"Better -get a cast of the lead, Captain," I -heard him whisper. A muttered order down -the engine-room tube was Steele's reply, and -the <i>Banshee</i> slowed and then stopped. It was -an anxious moment, while a dim figure stole -into the fore-chains; for there is always a -danger of steam blowing off when engines are -unexpectedly stopped, and that would have -been enough to betray our presence for miles -around. In a minute or two came back the -report, "sixteen fathoms—sandy bottom with -black specks." "We are not as far in as I -thought, Captain," said Burroughs, "and we -are too far to the southward. Port two points -and go a little faster." As he explained, we -must be well to the northward of the speckled -bottom before it was safe to head for the shore, -and away we went again. In about an hour -Burroughs quietly asked for another sounding. -Again she was gently stopped, and this time -he was satisfied. "Starboard and go ahead -easy," was the order now, and as we crept in -not a sound was heard but that of the regular -beat of the paddle-floats still dangerously -<a id='Page_52'></a>loud in spite of our snail's pace. Suddenly -Burroughs gripped my arm,—</p> - -<p class='c006'>"There's one of them, Mr. Taylor," he -whispered, "on the starboard bow."</p> - -<p class='c006'>In vain I strained my eyes to where he -pointed, not a thing could I see; but presently -I heard Steele say beneath his breath, "All -right, Burroughs, I see her. Starboard a little, -steady!" was the order passed aft.</p> - -<p class='c006'>A moment afterwards I could make out a long -low black object on our starboard side, lying -perfectly still. Would she see us? that was -the question; but no, though we passed within -a hundred yards of her we were not discovered, -and I breathed again. Not very long after -we had dropped her Burroughs whispered,—</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Steamer on the port bow."</p> - -<p class='c006'>And another cruiser was made out close -to us.</p> - -<p class='c006'>"Hard-a-port," said Steele, and round she -swung, bringing our friend upon our beam. -Still unobserved we crept quietly on, when all -at once a third cruiser shaped herself out of -the gloom right ahead and steaming slowly -across our bows.</p> - -<p class='c006'><a id='Page_53'></a>"Stop her," said Steele in a moment, and -as we lay like dead our enemy went on and -disappeared in the darkness. It was clear -there was a false reckoning somewhere, and -that instead of rounding the head of the blockading -line we were passing through the very -centre of it. However, Burroughs was now -of opinion that we must be inside the squadron -and advocated making the land. So "slow -ahead" we went again, until the low-lying -coast and the surf line became dimly visible. -Still we could not tell where we were, and, as -time was getting on alarmingly near dawn, -the only thing to do was to creep down along -the surf as close in and as fast as we dared. -It was a great relief when we suddenly heard -Burroughs say, "It's all right, I see the 'Big -Hill'!"</p> - -<p class='c006'>The "Big Hill" was a hillock about as -high as a full-grown oak tree, but it was the -most prominent feature for miles on that dreary -coast, and served to tell us exactly how far we -were from Fort Fisher. And fortunate it was -for us we were so near. Daylight was already -breaking, and before we were opposite the -<a id='Page_54'></a>fort we could make out six or seven gunboats, -which steamed rapidly towards us and angrily opened -fire. Their shots were soon dropping -close around us: an unpleasant sensation when -you know you have several tons of gunpowder -under your feet. To make matters worse, the -North Breaker shoal now compelled us to -haul off the shore and steam further out. It -began to look ugly for us, when all at once -there was a flash from the shore followed by a -sound that came like music to our ears—that -of a shell whirring over our heads. It was -Fort Fisher, wide awake and warning the -gunboats to keep their distance. With a -parting broadside they steamed sulkily out of -range, and in half an hour we were safely over -the bar. A boat put off from the fort and -then,—well, it was the days of champagne -cocktails, not whiskies and sodas—and one did -not run a blockade every day. For my part, -I was mightily proud of my first attempt and -my baptism of fire. Blockade-running seemed -the pleasantest and most exhilarating of pastimes. -I did not know then what a very serious -business it could be.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <a id='Page_55'></a> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER V<br /> <br />FORT FISHER AND WILMINGTON</h2> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c011'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='small'>Colonel William Lamb—A battery of Whitworth guns—Mrs. Lamb—A</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>lovely Puritan maiden—An historical cottage—British naval</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>officers—The Santa Claus of the war—Admiral Porter's fleet—Visit</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>of General Curtis and Colonel Lamb to Fort Fisher—Identifying</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>historic spots—Strict quarantine—Cheerful slaves—Open house on</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>board the <i>Banshee</i>—Reckless loading—An impudent plan—The</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'><i>Minnesota</i>—A simple manœuvre—A triumphant success.</span></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>It was now that I made the acquaintance—soon -to ripen into a warm friendship—of -Colonel William Lamb, the Commandant of -Fort Fisher,—a man of whose courtesy, -courage, and capacity all the English who -knew him spoke in the highest terms. Originally -a Virginian lawyer and afterwards the -editor of a newspaper, he volunteered at the -outbreak of the war, and rising rapidly to the -grade of colonel was given the command of -Fort Fisher, a post which he filled with high -<a id='Page_56'></a>distinction till its fall in 1865. With the -blockade-runners he was immensely popular; -always on the alert and ever ready to reach a -helping hand, he seemed to think no exertion -too great to assist their operations, and many -a smart vessel did his skill and activity snatch -from the very jaws of the blockaders. He -came to be regarded by the runners as their -guardian angel; and it was no small support -in the last trying moments of a run to -remember who was in Fort Fisher.</p> - -<p class='c006'>So much did we value his services and so -grateful were we for them, that at my suggestion -my firm subsequently presented him with a -battery of six Whitworth guns, of which he was -very proud; and good use he made of them in -keeping the blockaders at a respectful distance. -They were guns with a great range, which -many a cruiser found to its cost when venturing -too close in chase down the coast. Lamb -would gallop them down behind the sandhills, -by aid of mules, and open fire upon the enemy -before he was aware of his danger. Neither -must I forget his charming wife (alas, now -numbered among the majority); her hospitality -and kindness were unbounded, and many a -pleasant social evening have I and my brother -blockade-runners spent in her little cottage -outside the fort.</p> - -<div class='figcenter id004'> -<img src='images/i085.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic001'> -<p>PORTRAIT OF COLONEL LAMB. <i>To face page 56.</i></p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c006'><a id='Page_57'></a>The following extract from <i>Southern Historical -Papers</i>, written by Colonel Lamb a few -years ago, will doubtless interest my readers; -also the account, copied from the <i>Wilmington -Messenger</i>, of a meeting which took place -lately between him and General Curtis at Fort -Fisher.</p> -<div class='lg-container-l c012'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>In the fall of 1857 a lovely Puritan maiden, still in her</div> - <div class='line'>teens, was married in Grace Church, Providence, Rhode</div> - <div class='line'>Island, to a Virginia youth, just passed his majority, who</div> - <div class='line'>brought her to his home in Norfolk, a typical ancestral</div> - <div class='line'>homestead, where beside the "white folks" there was quite</div> - <div class='line'>a colony of family servants, from the pickaninny just able to</div> - <div class='line'>crawl to the old gray-headed mammy who had nursed "ole</div> - <div class='line'>massa." She soon became enamoured of her surroundings</div> - <div class='line'>and charmed with the devotion of her coloured maid, whose</div> - <div class='line'>sole duty it was to wait upon her young missis. When</div> - <div class='line'>the John Brown raid burst upon the South and her husband</div> - <div class='line'>was ordered to Harper's Ferry, there was not a more</div> - <div class='line'>indignant matron in all Virginia, and when at last secession</div> - <div class='line'>came, the South did not contain a more enthusiastic little</div> - <div class='line'>rebel.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>On the 15th of May 1862, a few days after the surrender</div> - <div class='line'>of Norfolk to the Federals, by her father-in-law,</div> - <div class='line'>then mayor, amid the excitement attending a captured city,</div> - <div class='line'>her son Willie was born. Cut off from her husband and</div> - <div class='line'><a id='Page_58'></a>subjected to the privations and annoyances incident to a</div> - <div class='line'>subjugated community, her father insisted upon her coming</div> - <div class='line'>with her children to his home in Providence; but, notwithstanding</div> - <div class='line'>she was in a luxurious home, with all that paternal</div> - <div class='line'>love could do for her, she preferred to leave all these</div> - <div class='line'>comforts to share with her husband the dangers and</div> - <div class='line'>privations of the South. She vainly tried to persuade</div> - <div class='line'>Stanton, Secretary of War, to let her and her three children,</div> - <div class='line'>with a nurse, return to the South; finally he consented to</div> - <div class='line'>let her go by flag of truce from Washington to City Point,</div> - <div class='line'>but without a nurse, and as she was unable to manage</div> - <div class='line'>three little ones, she left the youngest with his grandparents,</div> - <div class='line'>and with two others bravely set out for Dixie. The generous</div> - <div class='line'>outfit of every description which was prepared for the</div> - <div class='line'>journey, and which was carried to the place of embarkation,</div> - <div class='line'>was ruthlessly cast aside by the inspectors on the wharf,</div> - <div class='line'>and no tears or entreaties or offers of reward by the parents</div> - <div class='line'>availed to pass anything save a scanty supply of clothing</div> - <div class='line'>and other necessaries. Arriving in the South, the brave</div> - <div class='line'>young mother refused the proffer of a beautiful home in</div> - <div class='line'>Wilmington, the occupancy of the grand old mansion at</div> - <div class='line'>"Orton," on the Cape Fear river, but insisted upon taking</div> - <div class='line'>up her abode with her children and their coloured nurse in</div> - <div class='line'>the upper room of a pilot's house, where they lived until</div> - <div class='line'>the soldiers of the garrison built her a cottage one mile</div> - <div class='line'>north of Fort Fisher, on the Atlantic beach. In both of</div> - <div class='line'>these homes she was occasionally exposed to the shot and</div> - <div class='line'>shell fired from blockaders at belated blockade-runners.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>It was a quaint abode, constructed in most primitive</div> - <div class='line'>style, with three rooms around one big chimney, in which</div> - <div class='line'>North Carolina pine knots supplied heat and light on</div> - <div class='line'>winter nights. This cottage became historic, and was</div> - <div class='line'>famed for the frugal but tempting meals which its charming</div> - <div class='line'>hostess would prepare for her distinguished guests. Besides</div> - <div class='line'>the many illustrious Confederate Army and Navy officers</div> - <div class='line'><a id='Page_59'></a>who were delighted to find this bit of sunshiny civilisation</div> - <div class='line'>on the wild sandy beach, ensconced among the sand dunes</div> - <div class='line'>and straggling pines and black-jack, many celebrated</div> - <div class='line'>English naval officers enjoyed its hospitality under assumed</div> - <div class='line'>names:—Roberts, afterwards the renowned Hobart Pasha,</div> - <div class='line'>who commanded the Turkish navy; Murray, now Admiral</div> - <div class='line'>Murray-Aynsley, long since retired, after having been rapidly</div> - <div class='line'>promoted for gallantry and meritorious services in the British</div> - <div class='line'>navy; the brave but unfortunate Hugh Burgoyne, V.C., who</div> - <div class='line'>went down in the British iron-clad, <i>Captain</i>, in the Bay of</div> - <div class='line'>Biscay; and the chivalrous Hewett, who won the Victoria</div> - <div class='line'>Cross in the Crimea and was knighted for his services as</div> - <div class='line'>ambassador to King John of Abyssinia, and who, after</div> - <div class='line'>commanding the Queen's yacht, died lamented as Admiral</div> - <div class='line'>Hewett. Besides these there were many genial and gallant</div> - <div class='line'>merchant captains, among them Halpin, who afterwards commanded</div> - <div class='line'>the <i>Great Eastern</i> while laying ocean cables; and</div> - <div class='line'>famous war correspondents—Hon. Francis C. Lawley, M.P.,</div> - <div class='line'>correspondent of the <i>London Times</i>, and Frank Vizitelli of</div> - <div class='line'>the <i>London Illustrated News</i>, afterwards murdered in the</div> - <div class='line'>Soudan. Nor must the plucky Tom Taylor be forgotten,</div> - <div class='line'>supercargo of the <i>Banshee</i> and the <i>Night Hawk</i>, who, by</div> - <div class='line'>his coolness and daring, escaped with a boat's crew from</div> - <div class='line'>the hands of the Federals after capture off the fort, and</div> - <div class='line'>who was endeared to the children as the "Santa Claus" of</div> - <div class='line'>the war.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>At first the little Confederate was satisfied with pork and</div> - <div class='line'>potatoes, corn-bread and rye coffee, with sorghum sweetening;</div> - <div class='line'>but after the blockade-runners made her acquaintance</div> - <div class='line'>the impoverished store-room was soon filled to overflowing,</div> - <div class='line'>notwithstanding her heavy requisitions on it for the post</div> - <div class='line'>hospital, the sick and wounded soldiers and sailors always</div> - <div class='line'>being a subject of her tenderest solicitude, and often the</div> - <div class='line'>hard worked and poorly fed coloured hands blessed the</div> - <div class='line'>little lady of the cottage for a tempting treat.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><a id='Page_60'></a>Full of stirring events were the two years passed in the</div> - <div class='line'>cottage on Confederate Point. The drowning of Mrs. Rose</div> - <div class='line'>Greenough, the famous Confederate spy, off Fort Fisher,</div> - <div class='line'>and the finding of her body, which was tenderly cared for,</div> - <div class='line'>and the rescue from the waves, half dead, of Professor</div> - <div class='line'>Holcombe, and his restoration, were incidents never to be</div> - <div class='line'>forgotten. Her fox-hunting with horse and hounds, the narrow</div> - <div class='line'>escapes of friendly vessels, the fights over blockade-runners</div> - <div class='line'>driven ashore, the execution of deserters, and the</div> - <div class='line'>loss of an infant son, whose little spirit went out with the</div> - <div class='line'>tide one sad summer night, all contributed to the reality of</div> - <div class='line'>this romantic life.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>When Porter's fleet appeared off Fort Fisher, December</div> - <div class='line'>1864, it was storm-bound for several days, and the little</div> - <div class='line'>family with their household goods were sent across the</div> - <div class='line'>river to "Orton," before Butler's powder-ship blew up.</div> - <div class='line'>After the Christmas victory over Porter and Butler, the</div> - <div class='line'>little heroine insisted upon coming back to her cottage,</div> - <div class='line'>although her husband had procured a home of refuge in</div> - <div class='line'>Cumberland county. General Whiting protested against</div> - <div class='line'>her running the risk, for on dark nights her husband could</div> - <div class='line'>not leave the fort, but she said, "if the firing became too</div> - <div class='line'>hot she would run behind the sand hills as she had done</div> - <div class='line'>before," and come she would.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>The fleet reappeared unexpectedly on the night of the</div> - <div class='line'>12th of January 1865. It was a dark night, and when</div> - <div class='line'>the lights of the fleet were reported her husband sent a</div> - <div class='line'>courier to the cottage to instruct her to pack up quickly</div> - <div class='line'>and be prepared to leave with children and nurse as soon</div> - <div class='line'>as he could come to bid them good-bye. The garrison</div> - <div class='line'>barge, with a trusted crew, was stationed at Craig's Landing,</div> - <div class='line'>near the cottage. After midnight, when all necessary</div> - <div class='line'>orders were given for the coming attack, the colonel</div> - <div class='line'>mounted his horse and rode to the cottage, but all was</div> - <div class='line'>dark and silent. He found the message had been delivered,</div> - <div class='line'><a id='Page_61'></a>but his brave wife had been so undisturbed by the news,</div> - <div class='line'>that she had fallen asleep and no preparations for a retreat</div> - <div class='line'>had been made. Precious hours had been lost, and as</div> - <div class='line'>the fleet would soon be shelling the beach and her husband</div> - <div class='line'>have to return to the fort, he hurried them into the boat as</div> - <div class='line'>soon as dressed, with only what could be gathered up</div> - <div class='line'>hastily, leaving dresses, toys, and household articles to fall</div> - <div class='line'>into the hands of the foe.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line c003'>The extraordinary circumstance occurred yesterday of</div> - <div class='line'>a visit to Fort Fisher by General N. M. Curtis and Colonel</div> - <div class='line'>William Lamb, who were pitted against each other in deadly</div> - <div class='line'>strife at that historic spot on the occurrence of both the</div> - <div class='line'>battles there during the civil war—the one commencing</div> - <div class='line'>24th December 1864 and the other 13th January 1865.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Colonel Lamb was in Washington a few days ago, and</div> - <div class='line'>made an engagement with General Curtis to visit the old</div> - <div class='line'>fort. They consequently met in Norfolk last Thursday</div> - <div class='line'>morning and came on to Wilmington, arriving here that</div> - <div class='line'>night. Yesterday morning they took the steamer <i>Wilmington</i></div> - <div class='line'>at 9.30 o'clock and, accompanied by T. W. Clawson of the</div> - <div class='line'><i>Messenger</i>, the three were landed at the Rocks and were</div> - <div class='line'>sent ashore in one of the <i>Wilmington's</i> small boats, the</div> - <div class='line'>gangway and wharf having been swept away during the gale</div> - <div class='line'>of 13th October.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>From the Rocks the party walked to Fort Fisher, and</div> - <div class='line'>together the old heroes went from one end of the fort to</div> - <div class='line'>the other, identifying Colonel Lamb's headquarters and</div> - <div class='line'>locating the position of the batteries, the magazines, the</div> - <div class='line'>salients, the sally-port, and other historic spots.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>General Curtis explained the route of his advance upon</div> - <div class='line'>the fort at the last battle, when the fort was captured, and</div> - <div class='line'>pointed out the portion of the parapet which he assaulted</div> - <div class='line'>and scaled, and where the first flag of the invading army</div> - <div class='line'>was planted on the ramparts. The batteries at which the</div> - <div class='line'><a id='Page_62'></a>first fierce hand-to-hand fights occurred were discussed as</div> - <div class='line'>the party walked over them, and General Curtis pointed out</div> - <div class='line'>about the spot inside the works where he fell, desperately and</div> - <div class='line'>almost fatally wounded by a piece of shell that struck him</div> - <div class='line'>over the left eye, and carried away a large piece of the frontal</div> - <div class='line'>bone and destroyed the eye. He was believed to be killed,</div> - <div class='line'>and when some of his soldiers were ordered to take him to the</div> - <div class='line'>rear, so that his body could be shipped North, they dragged</div> - <div class='line'>his body over the rough ground for some distance, so that</div> - <div class='line'>his clothing was torn and his back was bleeding from cuts</div> - <div class='line'>made by such rough treatment. Orders had been given for</div> - <div class='line'>a box in which to ship his body to his home in New York.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Colonel Lamb, the hero on the Confederate side, who</div> - <div class='line'>was in command of the fort at both battles, explained the</div> - <div class='line'>positions held by the brave defenders of the fort, and also</div> - <div class='line'>pointed out about the spot where he was shot down, a</div> - <div class='line'>Minie ball having broken his hip, and also where General</div> - <div class='line'>Whiting received his death wound. Strange to say, all</div> - <div class='line'>three were wounded within a few yards of each other.</div> - <div class='line'>Colonel Lamb's wound came within an ace of proving fatal,</div> - <div class='line'>and, as it was, he was on crutches for several years.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>The old fort is now a heap of ruins, consisting of</div> - <div class='line'>mounds of sand, where the batteries were stationed. In</div> - <div class='line'>front of the land face from which the assault was made</div> - <div class='line'>by the United States' troops under General Curtis, and</div> - <div class='line'>right on the position held by his regiment, the recent storm</div> - <div class='line'>has unearthed a great many bones of the brave fellows</div> - <div class='line'>who fell in the battle. It is not known whether they wore</div> - <div class='line'>the blue or the gray, but it is quite probable that they were</div> - <div class='line'>some of General Curtis's troops.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>From the fort the party proceeded up the beach for a</div> - <div class='line'>mile and a half, and visited the cottage which Colonel Lamb</div> - <div class='line'>occupied with his family and made his general headquarters.</div> - <div class='line'>It is now occupied by a fisherman. From Craig's Landing</div> - <div class='line'>near by the party took a sail boat and were carried back to</div> - <div class='line'><a id='Page_63'></a>the Rocks by the Craig brothers. When the boat was run</div> - <div class='line'>ashore it grounded in shallow water about fifteen feet from</div> - <div class='line'>dry land, and the only alternative left was to strip shoes</div> - <div class='line'>and foot-wear, and roll up pants and wade out. General</div> - <div class='line'>Curtis, who is a man of powerful frame and sound health,</div> - <div class='line'>soon stepped over the boat's side and into the water,</div> - <div class='line'>and as Colonel Lamb's health made him cautious about</div> - <div class='line'>going into the water, General Curtis offered to carry him</div> - <div class='line'>on his back to dry land. The <i>Messenger</i> representative</div> - <div class='line'>being a duffer of good frame and strength, and being the</div> - <div class='line'>younger by half, interposed in relief of General Curtis, and</div> - <div class='line'>so Colonel Lamb rode the scribe to the shore. The newspaper</div> - <div class='line'>man then wanted to kick himself for not allowing</div> - <div class='line'>Colonel Lamb to ride his "friend the enemy," for he could</div> - <div class='line'>have witnessed the remarkable instance of a brave and</div> - <div class='line'>distinguished Federal officer carrying on his back the</div> - <div class='line'>illustrious Confederate who, in years that are gone, was</div> - <div class='line'>raising old Harry with shot and shell to keep the General</div> - <div class='line'>at a safe distance. These two men were heroes of the</div> - <div class='line'>right stripe, and we can raise our hats in honour and</div> - <div class='line'>admiration of them for the rich heritage which their</div> - <div class='line'>manhood and bravery leaves to Americans.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>After accepting the hospitality of Mr. Henry Wood, a</div> - <div class='line'>fisherman at the Rocks, who had prepared some coffee and</div> - <div class='line'>oysters for the party, the <i>Wilmington</i> came in sight at</div> - <div class='line'>3 o'clock, and she was boarded for the return to Wilmington.</div> - <div class='line'>On the trip down Colonel Lamb had bought a lot of fine</div> - <div class='line'>fat coots to be cooked for lunch at the Rocks, but he</div> - <div class='line'>forgot these, and they were left on the steamer. Imagine</div> - <div class='line'>the happiness of the party when they got aboard to find</div> - <div class='line'>that the courteous Captain John Harper had had the birds</div> - <div class='line'>cooked and sent them in with some delightful bread.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>General Curtis and Colonel Lamb, after returning to the</div> - <div class='line'>city, were hospitably entertained at the Cape Fear Club.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>General Curtis was a Colonel at the assault on Fort</div> - <div class='line'><a id='Page_64'></a>Fisher, but he won his General's epaulettes there. By the</div> - <div class='line'>way, he was wounded in six places on the day the fort</div> - <div class='line'>was captured. He served four years and eight months in</div> - <div class='line'>the Federal army, having volunteered in April 1861.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c007'><i>Wilmington</i> (N. C.) <i>Messenger</i>.</div> - -<p class='c006'>After this digression I must return to our -movements on board the <i>Banshee</i>. Having -obtained pratique (for the quarantine was very -strict) and a local pilot, rendered necessary -by the river being unbuoyed and strewn with -torpedoes, we ran up at once to Wilmington. -Here I found our agent Tom Power, who had -an outward cargo ready for me, and the cheerful -heartiness with which the slaves set about -discharging our inward one was a pleasant -surprise; if I hadn't been told they <i>were</i> slaves -I should never have discovered it. Everything -had to be done at high pressure, for it was -important to get out as quickly as possible, so as -to try another run while the dark nights lasted, -and loading went merrily on. I therefore did -my best to win the goodwill of the officials, -on whose favour I was of course in a great -measure dependent for a rapid turn round.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Wilmington was already sadly pinched and -war-worn. There never was too much to eat -<a id='Page_65'></a>and drink there, and the commonest luxuries -were almost things of the past; so when it -became known that there was practically open -house on board the <i>Banshee</i> friends flocked to -her. She soon attained great popularity, and -it was really a sight when our luncheon bell -rang to see guests, invited and uninvited, turn -up from all quarters. We made them all -welcome, and when our little cabin was filled -we generally had an overflow meeting on deck.</p> - -<p class='c006'>What a pleasure it was to see them eat -and drink! Men who had been accustomed to -live on corn-bread and bacon, and to drink -nothing but water, appreciated our delicacies; -our bottled beer, good brandy, and, on great -occasions, our champagne, warmed their hearts -towards us. The chief steward used to look -at me appealingly, as a hint that our stores -would never last out; in fact we were often -on very short commons before we got back -to Nassau. But we had our reward. If any -special favour were asked it was always -granted, if possible, to the <i>Banshee</i>, and if any -push had to be made there was always some -one to make it.</p> - -<p class='c006'><a id='Page_66'></a>Whether due to the luncheon parties or not -need not be said, but we were within a very -few days able to cast off our moorings and drop -down the river ballasted with tobacco and laden -with cotton—three tiers even on deck. Such -things are almost incredible nowadays. The -reckless loading, to which high profits and the -perquisites allowed to officers led, is to a landsman -inconceivable. That men should be found -willing to put to sea at all in these frail craft -piled like hay waggons is extraordinary enough, -but that they should do so in the face of a -vigilant and active blockading force, and do -it successfully, seems rather an invention of -romance than a commonplace occurrence of our -own time. True, running out was a much -easier matter than running in, for the risks -inseparable from making a port, so difficult to -find as Wilmington, without lights, and with -constant change of courses, were absent, and as -soon as the bar was crossed navigation at least -gave no anxiety.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Steele and I had hit on a plan for getting -out that promised almost a certainty of success. -Its security lay in its impudence, a cardinal -<a id='Page_67'></a>virtue of blockade-running, which, as will be -seen later on in some of the more critical -scenes, approached the sublime. The idea was -perhaps obvious enough. As has been said, -the flagship during the night remained at -anchor, while the other ships moved slowly to -and fro upon the inner line, leaving, as was -natural enough, a small area round the Admiral's -ship unpatrolled. This was enough for us. -Bringing up the <i>Banshee</i> behind Fort Fisher, -where she could lie hidden from the blockaders -till nightfall, we rowed ashore to get from -Colonel Lamb the last news of the squadron's -movements and to ascertain which ship bore -the Admiral's flag. She proved to be the -<i>Minnesota</i>, a large sixty-gun frigate: her -bearings were accurately taken, and as soon as -night fell the <i>Banshee</i> stole quietly from her -concealment, slipped over the bar, dark as it -was, and by the aid of Steele's observations -ran in perfect security close by the flagship and -out to sea well clear of the first cordon.</p> - -<p class='c006'>In trying to pass the second, however, we -were less successful, for we ran right across a -gunboat; she saw us and at once opened fire; -<a id='Page_68'></a>but slow as the <i>Banshee</i> was, luckily the Northern -gunboats for the most part were slower still, so -we had no difficulty in increasing the distance -between us till it was felt we were out of sight -again. Our helm was then put hard over, -giving us a course at right angles to the one -we had been steaming, and after keeping it a -few minutes we stopped. It was a manœuvre -nearly always successful, provided the helm -was not put over too soon, and this time it -achieved the usual result. As we lay perfectly -still, watching the course of the gunboat by the -flashes of her guns and by the rockets she was -sending up to attract her consorts, we had the -satisfaction of seeing her labouring furiously -past us and firing wildly into black space.</p> - -<p class='c006'>There still remained the danger at daybreak -of the third cordon, and with anxious eyes the -horizon was scoured as the darkness began to -fail. A daylight chase with the <i>Banshee</i> in her -present condition could not be thought of, but -fortunately not a sign of a cruiser was to be -seen. All that day, and the next and the next, -we steamed onward with our hearts in our -mouths, turning our stern to every sail or -<a id='Page_69'></a>patch of smoke that was seen, till, on the evening -of the third day, we steamed into Nassau as -proudly as a heavy list to starboard would -allow.</p> - -<p class='c006'>So ended my first attempt, a triumphant -success! Besides the inward freight of £50 a -ton on the war material, I had earned by the -tobacco ballast alone £7000, the freight for -which had been paid at the rate of £70 a ton. -But this was a flea-bite compared to the profit -on the 500 odd bales of cotton we had on -board, which was at least £50 per bale.</p> - -<p class='c006'>No wonder I took kindly to my new calling, -and no wonder I at once set to work to get the -<i>Banshee</i> reloaded for another run before the -moonless nights were over.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <a id='Page_70'></a> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER VI<br /> <br />THE REST OF THE <i>BANSHEE</i> NO. 1.'s CAREER</h2> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c011'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='small'>Breakdown of the <i>Banshee's</i> machinery—Heavily peppered</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>by gunboats—The help of signal lights—A change of tactics—An</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>awkward alternative—Hailed by a cruiser—A slanging match—Grape</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>and canister—The <i>Banshee</i> on fire—Shipping a fresh cargo—A</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>careless look-out man—Pursued by the <i>James Adger</i>—A</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>ding-dong race—Cargo thrown overboard—A stowaway comes to</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>light—A crucial moment—The <i>James Adger</i> relinquishes</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>her pursuit—Our last coal used—Secure in British</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>territory—Negotiations for coal—A demoralised crew—Safe in</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>Nassau—End of the <i>Banshee's</i> career—Profit of blockade-running.</span></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>To give in detail every trip of the <i>Banshee</i> -would be wearisome. I made in her seven -more in all, each one of which had its peculiar -excitement. Looking back it seems nothing -short of a miracle that, ill-constructed and -ill-engined as she was, she so long escaped -the numerous dangers to which she was exposed. -I well remember, on our second run in, an -accident which no one could have foreseen, -<a id='Page_71'></a>and which came within an ace of ending her -career.</p> - -<p class='c006'>After a busy time discharging our cargo and -getting coaled and loaded in order to save -a trip before the moon grew too much, we -made another start, and after a rough passage -reached within striking distance of our port. -It was a very dark but calm night; we -had made out several blockaders and safely -eluded them, when suddenly a tearing and -rending of wood was heard, and splinters from -our port paddle-box fell in all directions. -The engines were stopped at once; it was then -discovered that one of the paddle-floats, which -were made of steel, had split, causing the -broken part to come violently in contact with -the paddle-box at each revolution. There was -nothing for it but to stop and attempt to -unscrew the damaged float; a sail was placed -round the paddle-box and two of the engineers -were lowered down and commenced work: -not many minutes elapsed before a cruiser -hove in sight, and we made certain we had -been discovered. Although she came on -until she was not more than a hundred yards -<a id='Page_72'></a>away on our beam, curious to state she never -saw us, but, after lying motionless, much to our -relief she steamed away, and oh! how pleasant -it was to hear that float drop into the water.</p> - -<p class='c006'>We felt our way towards the bar, and -although we were heavily peppered by two -gunboats which were lying close in, we -escaped untouched and soon had our signal -lights set for going over the bar. These -signal lights were of course a great assistance, -but latterly the Northerners used to place -launches close in, and when those in charge -saw the lights exhibited they signalled to -the blockaders, who immediately commenced -shelling the bar, rendering it very unpleasant -for us; so much so that we generally preferred -to find our way over it without lights, as the -lesser risk of the two. It was the custom for -each steamer to carry a Confederate signalman, -who by means of a code could communicate -with the shore, in the daytime with flags, at -night by flashes from lamps. If the leading -lights were required, the pilots in the fort set -two lights which, when in line, led us through -deep water over the bar.</p> - -<p class='c006'><a id='Page_73'></a>This was an average run in, but more -exciting ones were to follow. In the earlier -stages of blockade-running, such as those I -have mentioned, we used to go well to the -northward and make the coast some fifteen or -twenty miles above Fort Fisher, thus going -round the fleet instead of through it. By this -means we were the better enabled to strike -the coast unobserved, steaming quietly down, -just outside the surf, until we arrived close to -Fort Fisher, where we had to go somewhat -to seaward, in order to avoid a certain shoal -called the North Breaker. Although this -generally brought us into close contact with -the blockaders, still we knew exactly where -we were as regards the bar. Subsequently -the Northerners stopped this manœuvre, as we -found to our peril.</p> - -<p class='c006'>One very dark night (I think it was either -on the fourth or fifth trip of the <i>Banshee</i>) we -made the land about twelve miles above Fort -Fisher, and were creeping quietly down as -usual, when all at once we made a cruiser out, -lying on our port-bow, and slowly moving -about two hundred yards from the shore. It -<a id='Page_74'></a>was a question of going inside or outside her; -if we went outside she was certain to see us, -and would chase us into the very jaws of the -fleet. As we had very little steam up we -chose the former alternative, hoping to pass -unobserved between the cruiser and the shore, -aided by the dark background of the latter. -It was an exciting moment; we got almost -abreast of her, as we thought, unobserved, -and success seemed within our grasp, till -we saw her move in towards us and heard her -hail us as we came on, "Stop that steamer or -I will sink you"!</p> - -<p class='c006'>Old Steele growled out that we hadn't time -to stop, and shouted down the engine-room -tube to Erskine to pile on the coals, as -concealment was no longer of any use. Our -friend, which we afterwards found out was -the <i>Niphon</i>, opened fire as fast as she could -and sheered close into us, so close that her -boarders were called away twice, and a -slanging match went on between us, like that -sometimes to be heard between two penny -steamboat captains on the Thames. She -closed the dispute by shooting away our fore -<a id='Page_75'></a>mast, exploding a shell in our bunkers, -and, when we began to leave her astern, by -treating us to grape and canister. It was -a miracle that no one was killed, but the crew -were all lying flat on the deck, except the -steersman; and at one time I fear he did the -same, for as Pilot Burroughs suddenly cried, -"My God, Mr. Taylor, look there"! I saw -our boat heading right into the surf, so, -jumping from the bridge, I ran aft and found -the helmsman on his stomach. I rushed at -the wheel and got two or three spokes out of -it, which hauled her head off the land, but it -was a close shave.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Two miles farther on we picked up another -cruiser, which tried to treat us in a similar -manner, but as we had plenty of steam we -soon left her. A little farther we came across -a large side-wheel boat, which tried to run us -down, missing us only by a few yards; after -that we were unmolested and arrived in safe, -warmly congratulated by Lamb, who thought -from the violent cannonade that we must -certainly have been sunk.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Not more than one man out of a hundred -<a id='Page_76'></a>would have brought a boat through as Steele -did that night,—the other ninety-nine would -have run her ashore.</p> - -<p class='c006'>After this exciting run-in our first business -was to repair damages and ship our cargo on -board; but at the last moment, when she was -completely loaded, with steam up and all ready -for a start, we nearly lost the <i>Banshee</i> by fire. -Steele and I were busy settling things in the -office on shore, when all at once, on looking -out of the window, I saw volumes of smoke -coming from her deck cargo of cotton; we -jumped into a boat, but by the time we got -alongside she was one sheet of flame. It -looked like a hopeless case. Steele, however, -gave immediate orders to get the steam hose -at work, breast her off from the wharf, and to -let go anchor in mid stream; thus bringing -her head to tide, but stern to wind. The fire, -being all forward, made it difficult to reach -the forecastle so as to let go the anchor; but -our good friend Halpin (who then commanded -a blockade-runner called the <i>Eugénie</i>) gallantly -came to our assistance, at the risk of his life -boarded us forward, and knocked out the -<a id='Page_77'></a>cutter which held the chain cable, but not -before his clothes were on fire: it was a sight -to see him take a header into the river, causing -the water to hiss again. He undoubtedly -saved our ship that day. Poor Halpin—I -have lately read of his death—he was as fine -and generous-hearted a man as ever lived, and -was afterwards as successful at cable-laying as -blockade-running.</p> - -<p class='c006'>By dint of hard work we got the fire under, -and a tough job it was fighting with ignited -turpentine, of which we had several barrels on -deck, and blazing cotton. We found that, with -the exception of having our turtle back destroyed -and our deck, bulwarks, and new foremast -charred, she had not received much serious -damage, and after shipping a fresh deck cargo -we went to sea next night and crossed to Nassau, -where they were astonished to see the plight we -were in, thinking we had had a fire at sea.</p> - -<p class='c006'>It was, I think, on our sixth trip out in the -little <i>Banshee</i>, when soon after daylight we had -got safely through the fleet, and I was lying on -a cotton bale aft, that Erskine, the chief engineer, -suddenly exclaimed, "Mr. Taylor, look astern!" -<a id='Page_78'></a>I looked, and not four miles from us I saw -a large side-wheel cruiser, with square sails -set, coming down on us hand over fist. This -was an instance of gross carelessness on the -part of the look-out man at the masthead -(he turned out to be an American whom we -had shipped in Nassau, on the previous trip, -and about whom both Steele and I had our private -suspicions). At such a critical moment as -the approach of daylight the chief officer should -have chosen a picked man for the look-out. -After this we were more careful: either the -chief officer or I myself, when on board, making -it a point to occupy this post at that particular -hour.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Erskine rushed to the engine-room, and in a -few moments volumes of smoke issuing from -our funnels showed that we were getting up all -the steam we could—almost too late, as with the -freshening breeze the chaser (which we afterwards -found out to be the well-known <i>James -Adger</i>, a boat subsequently sent to cruise in -search of the <i>Alabama</i>) so rapidly overhauled us -that we could distinctly see the officers in uniform -as they stood on the bridge; each one, doubtless, -counting his share of the prize money to which -he would soon become entitled.</p> - -<div class='figcenter id005'> -<img src='images/i109.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic001'> -<p> THE <i>BANSHEE</i> CHASED BY <i>JAMES ADGER</i>. <i>To face page 78</i></p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c006'><a id='Page_79'></a>"This will never do," said Steele, who, -although it put us off our course to Nassau, -ordered the helm to be altered, so as to bring -us up to the wind. We then soon had the -satisfaction of seeing our enemy obliged to take -in sail after sail, and a ding-dong race of the -most exciting nature right in the wind's eye -commenced.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The freshening breeze and rising sea now -seemed to increase the odds against our, the -smaller, boat, and so critical did matters become, -and so certain did capture appear, that I divided -between Murray-Aynsley—who was a passenger -on this trip,—Steele, and myself sixty sovereigns -which I had on board, determined that when -captured we wouldn't be penniless. As the -weather grew worse we found ourselves obliged -to throw overboard our deck cargo in order to -lighten the boat. This was done as quickly as -possible, heart-breaking though it was to see -valuable bales (worth from £50 to £60 apiece) -bobbing about on the waves. To me more -especially did this come home, for my little -<a id='Page_80'></a>private venture of ten bales of Sea Island cotton -had to go first, a dead loss of £800 or more!</p> - -<p class='c006'>A fresh cause of excitement now arose; in -clearing out these very bales, which were in a -half finished deck cabin, an unfortunate stowaway -came to light, a runaway slave, who must -have been standing wedged between two bales -for at least forty-eight hours, and within three -feet of whom I had unconsciously been sleeping -on the cotton bales during the last two nights -before putting to sea. He received a great -ovation on our landing him at Nassau, though -his freedom cost us $4000 on our return to -Wilmington, this being what he was valued at. -His escape was an unusual one, for, before leaving -port the hold and closed up spaces were -always fumigated to such an extent as to have -brought out or suffocated any one in hiding; -but this being an open-deck cabin, the precaution -was impossible.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Having got rid of our deck cargo, we slowly -but steadily began to gain in the race. It was -an extraordinary sight to see our gallant little -vessel at times almost submerged by green seas -sweeping her fore and aft, and the <i>James Adger</i>, -<a id='Page_81'></a>a vessel of 2000 tons, taking headers into the -huge waves, yet neither of us for a moment -slackening speed, a course we should have -thought madness under ordinary circumstances. -Murray-Aynsley stood with his sextant, taking -angles, and reporting now one now the other -vessel getting the best of it.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Suddenly a fresh danger arose from the -bearings of the engines becoming heated, owing -to the enormous strain put upon them. Erskine -said it was absolutely imperative to stop for -a short time. But by dint of loosening the -bearings and applying all the salad oil procurable -mixed with gunpowder they were gradually -got into working order again, all in the engine-room -having assisted in the most energetic -manner at this crucial moment.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The chase went on for fifteen weary hours—the -longest hours I think I ever spent!—until -nightfall, when we saw our friend, then only -about five miles astern, turn round and relinquish -her pursuit. We heard afterwards that -her stokers were dead beat. For some time we -pursued our course, thinking this might be only -a ruse on their part, and then held a council of -<a id='Page_82'></a>war as to our next move. Steele and Erskine -were for making Bermuda, as we had been -chased 150 miles in that direction, and -both feared our coal would not hold out for -us to reach Nassau. It was, however, very -necessary that I should go to the latter place, as -I was expecting two new steamers out from -England, so we decided to make the attempt. -We only succeeded in reaching land at all by a -very close shave. At the end of the third day -we saw our last coal used; mainmast, bulwarks, -deck cabin and every available bit of wood, -supplemented by cotton and turpentine as fuel, -only just carried us into one of the north-east -keys of the Bahamas, about sixty miles from -Nassau, into which we absolutely crawled, the -engines working almost on a vacuum. We had -not anchored there more than two hours when -we saw a Northern cruiser steam slowly past, -evidently eyeing us greedily; but we were safe -in British territory, and even the audacious -cruiser dare not take us as a prize.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The difficulty of procuring the necessary -fuel, in order to take us to Nassau, now -presented itself; fortunately we spied out a -<a id='Page_83'></a>schooner in the neighbourhood with whom we -communicated, and after some negotiations I -arranged that she should take Murray-Aynsley -and myself to our destination, and bring back -a cargo of coal.</p> - -<p class='c006'>We started with a fair wind, but before -long this had changed to a regular hurricane—during -which it was impossible to keep on -any sail, and the crew became terrified and -helpless, thereby very nearly letting us drift -on to the rocks near Abaco lighthouse. It -was an awful night, the lightning vivid, and -the coast line not many yards away. The -crew became more and more demoralised, and -when the weather moderated refused to -proceed. This new difficulty was only overcome -by Murray-Aynsley and myself producing -our revolvers; then, partly by threats, -and partly by promised bribes, we prevailed -on them to think better of their resolve.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Utterly wearied out, having had no sleep -to speak of for one week, and having lived -in our sea-boots since we made our first start -from Wilmington (my feet were so swollen -that the boots had to be cut off, and sleeping -<a id='Page_84'></a>draughts at first were powerless to restore the -lost faculty), we finally arrived in safety. The -schooner was despatched back with coal, and -three days later I had the satisfaction of seeing -the <i>Banshee</i> after these hair-breadth escapes -steam safely in, though looking considerably -dilapidated; lucky in having lost only our -deck cargo—which represented a good half, -or more, of what she started with.</p> - -<p class='c006'>This chase, which lasted fifteen hours, and -covered nearly 200 miles, was considered -one of the most notable incidents connected -with blockade-running during the war, and -we heard a good deal about it afterwards. -At the time we had been struck by the -fact of the <i>James Adger</i> not opening fire -on us, when so close. The explanation was, -that she had no "bow-chasers," and was so -certain of capturing us eventually, that she -did not think it worth while to "yaw" and -fire her broadside guns, and as the weather -was so bad she did not care to cast them loose.</p> - -<p class='c006'>This is the last trip I made in the <i>Banshee</i> -on which anything of note occurred. She made -eight round trips in all, and I then left her. -<a id='Page_85'></a>She was captured on the ninth, after another -long chase off Cape Hatteras, her captain and -crew being taken to Fort Lafayette, where -they were detained for about eight months as -prisoners in a casemate, badly fed and clothed, -and of course overcrowded. Steele spent -some weeks in Ludlow Street gaol; when he -was released he found, to his delight, that -another boat had been built expressly for him, -which was christened <i>Banshee</i> No. 2.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Some idea of the vast profits accruing from -blockade-running at this time can be gathered -from the fact that, notwithstanding the total -loss of the <i>Banshee</i> by capture, she earned -sufficient on the eight successful round trips -which she made to pay her shareholders 700 -per cent on their investment.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Her captors turned her into a gunboat; -and we heard afterwards that she had proved -anything but a success, being much too tender. -Moreover her engines, as we knew, were very -hard to manipulate, so much so that on one -occasion it was found impossible to stop her, -and she ran right into the jetty of the naval -yard at Washington.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <a id='Page_86'></a> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER VII<br /> <br />LIFE AT NASSAU</h2> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c011'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='small'>Society at Nassau—Dinners and dancing—The only frock-coat in</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>Nassau—Mrs. Bayley's receptions—Arthur Doering—Old friends</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>who have gone—Hobart Pasha—Capture of the <i>Don</i>—Hugh</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>Burgoyne—Captain Hewett—Murray Aynsley—A private Joint Stock</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>Company—Increased responsibilities—A day's misfortunes—Career</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>of the <i>Tristram Shandy</i>—Yellow Jack—Death-rate at</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>Wilmington—Saved from quarantine by a horse—A pet game-cock.</span></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>As the moon was now approaching full, we had -ample time to repair damages and refit ship -before making another start, and we all enjoyed -our brief holiday and freedom from care. Although -Nassau was a small place its gaieties -were many and varied. Money flowed like -water, men lived for the day and never thought -of the morrow, and in that small place was -accumulated a mixture of mankind seldom -seen before. Confederate military and naval -officers; diplomatists using the blockade-runners -as a means of ingress and egress -<a id='Page_87'></a>from their beleaguered country; newspaper -correspondents and advertisers of all kinds,—some -rascals no doubt; the very cream of the -English navy, composed of officers on half-pay -who had come out lured by the prospects -of making some money and gaining an experience -in their profession which a war such as -this could give them; and last but not least our -own immediate circle, which was graced by the -presence of two ladies, Mrs. Murray-Aynsley -and Mrs. Hobart, wives of officers who presided -at our revels and tended to keep the -younger and more reckless of our set in order.</p> - -<p class='c006'>What jovial days they were, and how they -were appreciated by the officials and natives, to -whom it was a pleasure to extend our hospitality. -Every night our dinner table was filled to -its utmost capacity, and once a week at least -we had a dance, when the office furniture was -unceremoniously bundled out into the garden -under the care of a fatigue party of soldiers, -and the band of the regiment discoursed entrancing -music to those whose feet never -seemed to tire. I suppose that I was then -rather a dandy and the only possessor of a -<a id='Page_88'></a>frock-coat among us, and as I lived just below -Government House, this coat, with a flower in -the button-hole, was frequently requisitioned at -Mrs. Bayley's (the Governor's wife) receptions. -I have known it do duty half a dozen times on -half a dozen backs within a couple of hours: -in the case of poor Vizitelly, however, it was a -little wanting in front.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Not only my coat became public property, -but those gay friends parted my other raiment -between them, and I well remember, after I -had a new supply of linen, etc. from home, -expostulating with Frankston, my black -major-domo, because I had nothing to wear, and -receiving his answer in reply—"Well, sar, what -can do? Mr. Hurst and Mr. Doering take all -master's shirts." To back up his assertion, he -showed me Arthur Doering's weekly wash just -arrived, consisting of one sock and one white -tie. Poor Arthur, he is gone,—a light-hearted, -cheery, devil-may-care youngster who spent -every penny he made. He was one of my -pursers, but had persistently bad luck; he was -captured twice, wrecked once, and chased back -once. When on shore I made him head of the -<a id='Page_89'></a>entertaining department, for which he was well -fitted, as no one could mix a better cocktail or -sing a more cheery song than he could.</p> - -<p class='c006'>This was the cheery side of our Nassau life, -but it had its reverse one, consisting of hard -work, constant anxieties and worries.</p> - -<p class='c006'>As my memory takes me back to those -jovial but hard-working days of "camaraderie" -it is melancholy to think how many of those -friends have gone before: Mrs. Murray-Aynsley, -Mrs. Hobart and her husband -Hobart Pasha; Hugh Burgoyne, one of the -navy's brightest ornaments, who was drowned -while commanding the ill-fated <i>Captain</i>; -Hewett, who lately gave up command of the -Channel Fleet only to die; old Steele, the king -of blockade-running captains; Maurice Portman, -an ex-diplomatist; Frank Vizitelly, whose -bones lie alongside those of Hicks Pasha's in -the Soudan; Lewis Grant Watson, my brother -agent; Arthur Doering, one of my loyal lieutenants, -and a host of old Confederate friends, -are all gone, and I could count on my fingers -those remaining of a circle of chums who did -not know what care or fear was, and who would -<a id='Page_90'></a>have stood by each other through thick and -thin in any emergency. In fact my old friends -Admiral Murray-Aynsley and Frank Hurst are -almost the only two living of that companionship.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Of Hobart Pasha and of the important part -he played in the Turko-Russian war and -Cretan rebellion—in which he acknowledged -that his blockade-running experiences stood him -in such good stead—most, if not all, my readers -will have read or heard. He commanded a -smart little twin screw-steamer called the <i>Don</i>, -in fact one of the first twin propeller steamers -ever built. And very proud he was of his -craft, in which he made several successful runs -under the assumed name of Captain Roberts. -On her first trip after "Captain Roberts" gave -up command in order to go home, the <i>Don</i> was -captured after a long chase, and his late chief -officer, who was then in charge, was assumed -by his captors to be Roberts. He maintained -silence concerning the point, and the Northern -newspapers upon the arrival of the prize at -Philadelphia were full of the subject of the -"Capture of the <i>Don</i> and the notorious -<a id='Page_91'></a>English naval officer, Captain Roberts." Much -chagrined were they to find they had got the -wrong man, and that the English naval officer -was still at large.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Poor Burgoyne—whose tragic and early -end, owing to the capsizing of the <i>Captain</i>, -everybody deplored—as a blockade-runner was -not very successful. If I remember correctly -he made only two or three trips. Had he -lived he would have had a brilliant career -before him in the navy; bravest of the brave, -as is evidenced by the V.C. he wore, gentle -as a woman, unselfish to a fault, he might have -saved his life if he had thought more of himself -and less of his men on that terrible occasion off -Finisterre, when his last words were, "Look out -for yourselves, men; never mind me."</p> - -<p class='c006'>Then there was Hewett, another wearer of -the "cross for valour," who has only recently -joined the majority, after a brilliant career as -Admiral commanding in the East Indies, Red -Sea, and Channel Fleet; who successfully interviewed -King John in Abyssinia, and was not -content to pace the deck of his flagship at -Suakim, but insisted upon fighting in the square -<a id='Page_92'></a>at El Teb, and whose hospitality and geniality -later on as Commander-in-Chief of the Channel -Fleet was proverbial.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Murray-Aynsley, I rejoice to say, is still -alive. Who that knows "old Murray" does -not love him; gentle as a child, brave as a lion, -a man without guile, he was perhaps the most -successful of all the naval blockade-runners. -In the <i>Venus</i> he had many hair-breadth escapes, -notably on one occasion when he ran the -gauntlet of the Northern Fleet in daylight -into Wilmington. The <i>Venus</i>, hotly pursued -by several blockaders and pounded at by others, -straight through whom she steamed, and old -Murray on the bridge, with his coat sleeves -hitched up almost to his arm-pits—a trick he -had when greatly excited—otherwise as cool -as possible, was, as Lamb afterwards told me, -a sight not to be forgotten.</p> - -<p class='c006'>But shore life in Nassau was by no means -"all beer and skittles." As I have stated, the -cheery side had its reverse. So far as I was -concerned, I had always a busy time attending -to the mercantile part of the business, and -latterly a large staff of clerks, captains, and -<a id='Page_93'></a>officers to supervise, to manage whom required -all the tact and firmness of which as a comparative -youngster I was capable. But on -the whole they were a loyal set of men; some -imbeciles were indeed sent out as captains, -who were no more fit to command a blockade-runner -than I was a regiment, and these men -had to be superseded and replaced by others: -which caused much friction, but the interests -involved were so large that I could not afford to -be sentimental.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The business had now grown to very large -proportions; owing to the success achieved -by the first <i>Banshee</i> her shareholders were -encouraged to make further investments, and -their friends were only too delighted to follow -suit. The consequence was that my principals -at home established a private Joint Stock -Company with a large capital, by means of -which steamer after steamer was built and -sent out for me to manipulate.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Individual ventures gradually became the -exception, and on account of the amount of -capital required it was found more profitable -to form large companies. The risk of loss -<a id='Page_94'></a>was lessened by the possession of a greater -number of vessels, as even if half the fleet -owned by a company were captured the -profits earned by the other half would more -than counterbalance the loss entailed by -failure. The mercantile house which transacted -the company's business invariably held -a large quantity of the stock, and the commission -earned was so great that, even if the -individual stockholders lost, the mercantile -house came out a gainer.</p> - -<p class='c006'>This change increased immensely my responsibilities -and anxieties; vast sums had -to be dealt with, and at times a decision -had to be made in an instant upon a subject -which involved grave consequences but -brooked little delay. However, youth and -a sanguine temperament seemed to carry me -along, and in those days I managed to brush -aside difficulties and annoyances which in these -later times would appear to me insufferable.</p> - -<p class='c006'>One morning I was wakened up at daylight -by Doering and the captain of a boat called -the <i>Tristram Shandy</i>, which I had despatched -only five days before on her maiden trip, -<a id='Page_95'></a>standing at the foot of my bed. They -explained to me that they had arrived -within 100 miles of Wilmington when they -had fallen in with a fast cruiser, who had -chased them; to avoid capture they had been -obliged to throw all their cargo overboard. -This in itself meant a serious loss, but it was -not the sum-total of the day's misfortunes, -for some hours later I heard of the capture -of another of our boats, and the total destruction -of a third by being run ashore and -destroyed by the blockaders—a heavy bill of -misfortune for one day!</p> - -<p class='c006'>The <i>Tristram Shandy</i> had a very short -and unfortunate career; after being reloaded -subsequent to her compulsory return, she -started on her second attempt and steamed -safely in. But in coming out her funnels, -owing to the peculiar construction of her -boilers, flamed very much, and it appears -that a gunboat followed her by this flame all -night, and when morning broke was seen to -be about three miles astern. The captain at -once ordered extra steam to be put on, but -owing to this having been done too suddenly, -<a id='Page_96'></a>one of her valve spindles was wrenched off, -and she lay helpless at the mercy of the chaser, -who speedily came up and took possession.</p> - -<p class='c006'>She had on board a very valuable cargo of -cotton, and in addition $50,000 in specie -belonging to the Confederate Government; -this, according to agreement with the Government, -Doering proceeded to throw overboard, -but some of the crew, determined to have a -finger in the spoil, rushed aft and broke -open the kegs. In the mêlée a quantity of -gold pieces were strewn among the cotton -bales on deck, and when the Northerners came -on board they were very irate to think they -had lost a considerable portion of their prize -money. The steamer was taken into Philadelphia -and condemned, and the crew were -kept prisoners in New York for several -months.</p> - -<p class='c006'>In addition to the worries and anxieties -I have detailed we had to fight that demon, -yellow Jack, which raged with fearful mortality -both at Nassau and Wilmington. In Nassau -I have counted seventeen funerals pass my -house before breakfast, and in one day I -<a id='Page_97'></a>have attended interments of three intimate -friends. In Wilmington it was worse; in -one season alone, out of a total population -of 6000, 2500 died. No wonder the authorities -were scared and imposed heavy penalties -on us in the shape of quarantine. On two -occasions I have been in quarantine for fifty -days at a time—think of that, <i>you</i> modern -luxurious travellers, who growl if <i>you</i> are -detained three days.</p> - -<p class='c006'>On the first occasion out of a crew of -thirty-two twenty-eight were laid low, and we -had seven deaths; only the captain, chief -engineer, steward, and myself were free from -fever. On the second we had no sickness, -and only suffered from the ennui consequent -upon such close confinement and short rations, -as latterly we had nothing but salt pork and -sardines to eat. We were only saved from a -third dose of quarantine almost by a miracle.</p> - -<p class='c006'>It happened that the Southern Agent in -Egypt had sent a very valuable Arab horse -to Nassau, as a present for Jefferson Davis. -Heiliger, the Confederate Agent there, asked -me if I would take it in through the blockade. -<a id='Page_98'></a>I at once consented, and it was shipped on -board the <i>Banshee</i>. We got through all -right, but when the health officer came on -board and ordered us to quarantine, I said: -"If we have to go there, the horse will -certainly have to be destroyed, as we have -no food for it." Thereupon he telegraphed -to Richmond, and the reply came back that -the <i>Banshee</i> was to proceed to the town, -land the horse, and return to quarantine. -When we were alongside the wharf a large -number of our crew jumped on shore and -disappeared. I said to the General, who was -a friend of mine, "It is no use our going -back to quarantine after this, you either have -the infection or not," and I induced him to -telegraph again to Richmond. The answer -came back, "<i>Banshee</i> must discharge and -load as quickly as possible, and proceed to -sea; lend all assistance."</p> - -<p class='c006'>The General acted on these instructions, -and upon the third day we were gaily proceeding -down the river again with an outward -cargo on board, passing quite a fleet of -steamers at the quarantine ground, whose -<a id='Page_99'></a>crews were gnashing their teeth. We got -safely out and returned, after making another -trip, to find the same boats in quarantine, -and, as it was raised some three days after -our arrival, we steamed up the river in -company, much to the disgust of their crews.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Good old horse, he saved me from a -dreary confinement in quarantine, and made -the owners of the <i>Banshee</i> some £20,000 to -£30,000 extra, but he was nearly the cause -of our all being put in a Northern prison and -losing our steamer. On a very still night, -as we were running in and creeping noiselessly -through the hostile fleet, he commenced neighing -(smelling the land, I expect). In an instant -two or three jackets were thrown over his head; -but it was too late; he had been heard on -board a cruiser very close to which we were -passing, and she and two or three of her -consorts immediately opened fire upon us. -We had the heels of them, however, and our -friend Colonel Lamb at Fort Fisher was soon -protecting us, playing over our heads with -shell.</p> - -<p class='c006'>On a subsequent occasion disaster might -<a id='Page_100'></a>have overtaken the <i>Banshee</i> under somewhat -similar circumstances had a cruiser happened -to be near. A game-cock which we kept -on board as a pet suddenly began to crow. -But this time the disaster was to the game-cock -and not to the <i>Banshee</i>, for, pet as he -was, his neck was promptly twisted. Such -experiences as these showed how easy it was -to increase the risks of blockade-running; -absence of all avoidable noise at night was -as essential as the extinction of all lights on -board ship.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <a id='Page_101'></a> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER VIII<br /> <br />OUR FLEET</h2> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c011'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='small'>First introduction to the <i>Will-o'-the-Wisp</i>—Making a dash for</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>it—A question of speed—Under heavy fire from both quarters—Run</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>ashore at full speed—An awkward predicament—All hands to the</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>pumps—Resort to desperate remedies—A struggle for sixty</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>hours—Sale of the <i>Will-o'-the-Wisp</i>—Her end—The <i>Wild Dayrell</i>—A</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>record performance—Loss of the <i>Wild Dayrell</i>—An incapable</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>Captain—The <i>Stormy Petrel</i> and the <i>Wild Rover</i>.</span></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>The reason for my leaving the <i>Banshee</i> was -the arrival at Nassau of a new steamer which -my firm had sent out to me. This was the -<i>Will-o'-the-Wisp</i>, and great things were -expected from her. She was built on the -Clyde, was a much larger and faster boat than -the <i>Banshee</i>, but shamefully put together, -and most fragile. My first introduction to -her was seeing her appear off Nassau, and -receiving a message by the pilot boat, from -Capper, the captain, to say that the vessel -was leaking badly and he dare not stop his -<a id='Page_102'></a>engines, as they had to be kept going in order -to work the pumps. We brought her into -the harbour, and having beached her and -afterwards made all necessary repairs on the -slipway, I decided to take a trip in her.</p> - -<p class='c006'>As soon as the nights were sufficiently -dark we made a start for Wilmington, unfortunately -meeting very bad weather and -strong head winds, which delayed us; the -result was that instead of making out the -blockading fleet about midnight, as we had -intended, when dawn was breaking there -were still no signs of them. Capper, the -chief engineer, and I then held a hurried -consultation as to what we had better do. -Capper was for going to sea again, and if -necessary returning to Nassau; the weather -was still threatening, our coal supply running -short, and, with a leaky ship beneath us, the -engineer and I decided that the lesser risk -would be to make a dash for it. "All right," -said Capper, "we'll go on, but you'll get -d——d well peppered!"</p> - -<p class='c006'>We steamed cautiously on, making as little -smoke as possible, whilst I went to the masthead -<a id='Page_103'></a>to take a look round: no land was in -sight, but I could make out in the dull morning -light the heavy spars of the blockading flagship -right ahead of us, and soon after several other -masts became visible on each side of her. -Picking out what appeared to me to be the -widest space between these, I signalled to -the deck how to steer, and we went steadily -on—determined when we found we were -perceived to make a rush for it. No doubt -our very audacity helped us through, as for -some time they took no notice, evidently -thinking we were one of their own chasers -returning from sea to take up her station for -the day.</p> - -<p class='c006'>At last, to my great relief, I saw Fort -Fisher just appearing above the horizon, -although we knew that the perilous passage -between these blockaders must be made -before we could come under the friendly -protection of its guns. Suddenly, we became -aware that our enemy had found us out; we -saw two cruisers steaming towards one another -from either side of us, so as to intercept us -at a given point before we could get on the -<a id='Page_104'></a>land side of them. It now became simply a -question of speed and immunity from being -sunk by shot. Our little vessel quivered -again under the tremendous pressure with -which she was being driven through the water.</p> - -<p class='c006'>An exciting time followed, as we and our -two enemies rapidly converged upon one point, -others in the distance also hurrying up to -assist them. We were now near enough to -be within range, and the cruiser on our port -side opened fire; his first shot carried away -our flagstaff aft on which our ensign had just -been hoisted; his second tore through our -forehold, bulging out a plate on the opposite -side. Bedding and blankets to stop the leak -were at once requisitioned, and we steamed -on full speed under a heavy fire from both -quarters. Suddenly, puffs of smoke from the -fort showed us that Colonel Lamb, the commandant, -was aware of what was going on -and was firing to protect us; a welcome proof -that we were drawing within range of his guns -and on the landward side of our pursuers, who, -after giving us a few more parting shots, -hauled off and steamed away from within reach -<a id='Page_105'></a>of the shells which we were rejoiced to see -falling thickly around them.</p> - -<p class='c006'>We had passed through a most thrilling -experience; at one time the cruiser on our -port side was only a hundred yards with her -consort a hundred and fifty away from us on -the starboard, and it seemed a miracle that -their double fire had not completely sunk us. -It certainly required all one's nerve to stand -upon the paddle-box, looking without flinching -almost into the muzzles of the guns, which -were firing at us; and proud we were of our -crew, not a man of whom showed the white -feather. Our pilot, who showed no lack of -courage at the time, became, however, terribly -excited as we neared the bar, and whether it -was that the ship steered badly, owing to -being submerged forward, or from some -mistake, he ran her ashore whilst going at -full speed. The result was a most frightful -shaking, which of course materially increased -the leaks, and we feared she would become a -total wreck; fortunately the tide was rising, -and, through lightening her by throwing some -of the cargo overboard, we succeeded in getting -<a id='Page_106'></a>her off and steamed up the river to Wilmington, -where we placed her on the mud.</p> - -<p class='c006'>After repairing the shot holes and other -damage, we were under the impression that -no further harm from running ashore had -come to her, as all leaks were apparently -stopped and the ship was quite tight. The -result proved us to be sadly wrong on this -point. After loading our usual cargo we -started down the river all right, and waited -for nightfall in order to cross the bar and run -through the fleet. No sooner had we crossed -it and found ourselves surrounded by cruisers -than the chief engineer rushed on to the -bridge, saying the water was already over -the stoke-hole plates, and he feared that the -ship was sinking. At the same moment a -quantity of firewood which was stowed round -one of the funnels (and which was intended -to eke out our somewhat scanty coal supply) -caught fire, and flames burst out.</p> - -<div class='figcenter id006'> -<img src='images/i139.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic001'> -<p><i>WILL-O'-THE-WISP'S</i> DASH FOR WILMINGTON. <i>To face page 106.</i></p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c006'><a id='Page_107'></a>This placed us in a pretty predicament, as -it showed our whereabouts to two cruisers -which were following us, one on each quarter. -They at once opened a furious cannonade -upon us; however, although shells were bursting -all around and shot flying over us, all -hands worked with a will, and we soon extinguished -the flames, which were acting as a -treacherous beacon to our foes. Fortunately -the night was intensely dark, and nothing -could be seen beyond a radius of thirty or -forty yards, so, thanks to this, we were soon -enabled, by altering our helm, to give our -pursuers the slip, whilst they probably kept on -their course.</p> - -<p class='c006'>We had still the other enemy to deal with; -but our chief engineer and his staff had meanwhile -been hard at work and had turned on -the "bilge-injection" and "donkey-pumps." -Still, the leak was gaining upon us, and it -became evident that the severe shaking which -the ship got when run aground had started -the plates in her bottom. The mud had -been sucked up when she lay in the river at -Wilmington, thus temporarily repairing the -damage; but when she got into the sea-way -the action of the water opened them again. -Even the steam pumps now could not prevent -the water from gradually increasing; four of -<a id='Page_108'></a>our eight furnaces were extinguished, and the -firemen were working up to their middles in -water.</p> - -<p class='c006'>It was a critical time when daylight broke, -dull and threatening. The captain was at the -wheel, and I at the mast-head (all other hands -being employed at the pumps, and even -baling), when, not four miles off, I sighted -a cruiser broadside on. She turned round -as if preparing to give chase, and I thought -we were done for, as we could not have got -more than three or four knots an hour out -of our crippled boat. To my great joy, however, -I found our alarm was needless, for she -evidently had not seen us, and instead of -heading turned her stern towards us and disappeared -into a thick bank of clouds.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Still we were far from being out of danger, -as the weather became worse and worse and -the wind increased in force until it was blowing -almost a gale. Things began to look as ugly -as they could, and even Capper lost hope: I -shall never forget the expression on his face -as he came up to me and said, in his gruff -voice, "I say, Mr. Taylor! the beggar's going, -<a id='Page_109'></a>the beggar's going," pointing vehemently -downwards. "What the devil do you mean!" -I exclaimed. "Why, we are going to lose -the ship and our lives too," was the answer. -It is not possible for any one unacquainted -with Capper to appreciate this scene. Sturdy, -thickset, nearly as broad as he was long, and -with the gruffest manner but kindest heart,—although -a rough diamond and absolutely without -fear. With the exception of Steele he -was the best blockade-running captain we had.</p> - -<p class='c006'>In order to save the steamer and our lives -we decided that desperate remedies must be -resorted to, so again the unlucky deck cargo -had to be sacrificed. The good effect of this -was soon visible; we began to gain on the -water, and were able, by degrees, to relight -our extinguished fires. But the struggle continued -to be a most severe one, for just when -we began to obtain a mastery over the water -the donkey-engine broke down, and before we -could repair it the water increased sensibly, -nearly putting out our fires again. So the -struggle went on for sixty hours, when we -were truly thankful to steam into Nassau -<a id='Page_110'></a>harbour and beach the ship. It was a very -narrow escape, for within twenty minutes after -stopping her engines the vessel had sunk to -the level of the water.</p> - -<p class='c006'>I had the <i>Will-o'-the-Wisp</i> raised, hauled -up on the slip, and repaired at an enormous -expense before she was fit again for sea. -Subsequently she made several trips, but as -I found her a constant source of delay and -expenditure I decided to sell her. After -having her cobbled up with plenty of putty -and paint, I was fortunate enough to open -negotiations with some Jews with a view to -her purchase. Having settled all preliminaries -we arranged for a trial trip, and after a very -sumptuous lunch I proceeded to run her over -a measured mile for the benefit of the would-be -purchasers. I need scarcely mention that -we subjected her machinery to the utmost -strain, bottling up steam to a pressure of -which our present Board of Trade, with its -motherly care for our lives, would express -strong disapproval. The log line was whisked -merrily over the stern of the <i>Will-o'-the-Wisp</i>, -with the satisfactory result that she logged -<a id='Page_111'></a>17-1/2 knots. The Jews were delighted, so was -I; and the bargain was clinched. I fear, -however, that their joy was short-lived; a -few weeks afterwards when attempting to -steam into Galveston she was run ashore and -destroyed by the Federals. When we ran into -that port a few months afterwards in the second -<i>Banshee</i> we saw her old bones on the beach.</p> - -<p class='c006'>After this I made a trip in a new boat that -had just been sent out to me, the <i>Wild Dayrell</i>. -And a beauty she was, very strong, a perfect -sea-boat, and remarkably well engined.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Our voyage in was somewhat exciting, as -about three o'clock in the afternoon, while -making for the Fort Caswell entrance (not Fort -Fisher), we were sighted by a Federal cruiser, -who immediately gave chase. We soon found -however, that we had the heels of our friend, -but it left us the alternative of going out to sea -or being chased straight into the jaws of the -blockaders off the bar before darkness came on. -Under these circumstances what course to take -was a delicate point to decide, but we solved -the problem by slowing down just sufficiently -to keep a few miles ahead of our chaser, -<a id='Page_112'></a>hoping that darkness would come on before we -made the fleet or they discovered us. Just as -twilight was drawing in we made them out; -cautiously we crept on, feeling certain that our -friend astern was rapidly closing up on us. -Every moment we expected to hear shot -whistling around us. So plainly could we see -the sleepy blockaders that it seemed almost -impossible we should escape their notice. -Whether they did not expect a runner to -make an attempt so early in the evening, or -whether it was sheer good luck on our part, I -know not, but we ran through the lot without -being seen or without having a shot fired -at us.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Our anxieties, however, were not yet over, -as our pilot (a new hand) lost his reckoning and -put us ashore on the bar. Fortunately the -flood tide was rising fast, and we refloated, bumping -over stern first in a most inglorious fashion, -and anchored off Fort Caswell before 7 <span class='fss'>P.M.</span>—a -record performance. Soon after anchoring and -while enjoying the usual cocktail we saw a -great commotion among the blockaders, who -were throwing up rockets and flashing lights, -<a id='Page_113'></a>evidently in answer to signals from the cruiser -which had so nearly chased us into their midst.</p> - -<p class='c006'>When we came out we met with equally -good luck, as the night was pitch dark and the -weather very squally. No sooner did we clear -the bar than we put our helm aport, ran down -the coast, and then stood boldly straight out to -sea without interference: and it was perhaps as -well we had such good fortune, as before this -I had discovered that our pilot was of a very -indifferent calibre, and that courage was not our -captain's most prominent characteristic. The -poor <i>Wild Dayrell</i> deserved a better commander, -and consequently a better fate than -befell her. She was lost on her second trip, -entirely through the want of pluck on the part -of her captain, who ran her ashore some miles -to the north of Fort Fisher; as <i>he</i> said in order -to avoid capture,—to my mind a fatal excuse for -any blockade-running captain to make. 'Twere -far better to be sunk by shot and escape in the -boats if possible. I am quite certain that if -Steele had commanded her on that trip she would -never have been put ashore, and the chances -are that she would have come through all right.</p> - -<p class='c006'><a id='Page_114'></a>I never forgave myself for not unshipping -the captain on my return to Nassau; my only -excuse was that there was no good man available -to replace him with, and he was a particular -protégé of my chiefs. But such considerations -should not have weighed, and if I had had the -courage of my convictions it is probable the -<i>Wild Dayrell</i> would have proved as successful -as any of our steamers.</p> - -<p class='c006'>About this time I had two other new boats -sent out, the <i>Stormy Petrel</i> and the <i>Wild -Rover</i>, both good boats, very fast, and distinct -improvements on the <i>Banshee</i> No. 1 and <i>Will-o'-the-Wisp</i>. -The <i>Stormy Petrel</i> had, however, -very bad luck, as after getting safely in and -anchoring behind Fort Fisher she settled as -the tide went down on a submerged anchor, the -fluke of which went through her bottom, and -despite all efforts she became a total wreck: -this was one of the most serious and unlucky -losses I had. The <i>Wild Rover</i> was more successful, -as she made five round trips, on one of -which I went in her. She survived the war, -and I eventually sent her to South America, -where she was sold for a good sum.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <a id='Page_115'></a> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER IX<br /> <br />BERMUDA</h2> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c011'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='small'>Yellow fever—The <i>Night Hawk</i>—A nervous pilot—Under heavy</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>fire—Aground on Wilmington bar—Boarded by the Federals—The</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'><i>Night Hawk</i> set on fire—An Irishman's ruse—To the rescue</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>of the <i>Night Hawk</i>—The close of her career—A hard week's</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>work—Fever and ague—A waste of expensive material—A famous</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>Confederate spy—A diabolical idea.</span></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>We had in the early part of the war a depôt -at Bermuda as well as at Nassau, and Frank -Hurst was at that time my brother agent -there. I went there twice, once in the first -<i>Banshee</i>, and once from Halifax, after a trip -to Canada in order to recruit from a bad -attack of yellow fever; but I never liked -Bermuda, and later on we transferred Hurst -and his agency to Nassau, which was more -convenient in many ways and nearer Wilmington. -Moreover I had to face the contingency, -which afterwards occurred, of the Atlantic -<a id='Page_116'></a>ports being closed and our being driven to -the Gulf. The Mudians, however, were a -kind, hospitable lot, and made a great deal -of us, and there was a much larger naval and -military society stationed there than in Nassau. -They had suffered from a severe outbreak of -yellow fever, and the 3rd Buffs, who were in -garrison at the time, had been almost decimated -by it.</p> - -<p class='c006'>It was on my second trip to the island that -one of the finest boats we ever possessed, called -the <i>Night Hawk</i>, came out, and I concluded -to run in with her. She was a new side-wheel -steamer of some 600 tons gross, rigged as -a fore and aft schooner, with two funnels, -220 feet long, 21-1/2 feet beam, and 11 feet in -depth; a capital boat for the work, fast, strong, -of light draught, and a splendid sea-boat—a -great merit in a blockade-runner that sometimes -has to be forced in all weathers. The <i>Night -Hawk's</i> career was a very eventful one, and -she passed an unusually lively night off Fort -Fisher on her first attempt.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Soon after getting under weigh our troubles -began. We ran ashore outside Hamilton, -<a id='Page_117'></a>one of the harbours of Bermuda, and hung -on a coral reef for a couple of hours. There -loomed before us the dismal prospect of delay -for repairs, or, still worse, the chance of -springing a leak and experiencing such -difficulties and dangers as we had undergone -on the <i>Will-o'-the-Wisp</i>, but fortunately we -came off without damage and were able to -proceed on our voyage.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Another anxiety now engrossed my mind: -the captain was an entirely new hand, and -nearly all the crew were green at the work; -moreover, the Wilmington pilot was quite -unknown to me, and I could see from the -outset that he was very nervous and badly -wanting in confidence. What would I not -have given for our trusty Tom Burroughs. -However, we had to make the best of it, as, -owing to the demand, the supply of competent -pilots was not nearly sufficient, and towards the -close of the blockade the so-called pilots were -no more than boatmen or men who had been -trading in and out of Wilmington or Charleston -in coasters. Notwithstanding my fears, all -went well on the way across, and the <i>Night</i> -<a id='Page_118'></a><i>Hawk</i> proved to be everything that could be -desired in speed and seaworthiness.</p> - -<p class='c006'>We had sighted unusually few craft, and -nothing eventful occurred until the third night. -Soon after midnight we found ourselves -uncomfortably near a large vessel. It was -evident that we had been seen, as we heard -them beating to quarters and were hailed. -We promptly sheered off and went full speed -ahead, greeted by a broadside which went -across our stern.</p> - -<p class='c006'>When we arrived within striking distance -of Wilmington bar the pilot was anxious to -go in by Smith's inlet, but as he acknowledged -that he knew very little about it I concluded -it was better to keep to the new inlet passage, -where, at all events, we should have the -advantage of our good friend Lamb to protect -us; and I felt that as I myself knew the place -so well, this was the safest course to pursue. -We were comparatively well through the fleet, -although heavily fired at, and arrived near -to the bar, passing close by two Northern -launches which were lying almost upon it. -Unfortunately it was dead low water, and -<a id='Page_119'></a>although I pressed the pilot to give our boat -a turn round, keeping under weigh, and to wait -a while until the tide made, he was so demoralised -by the firing we had gone through -and the nearness of the launches, which were -constantly throwing up rockets, that he insisted -upon putting her at the bar, and, as I feared, -we grounded on it forward, and with the -strong flood-tide quickly broached-to, broadside -on to the Northern breaker. We kept -our engines going for some time—but to no -purpose, as we found we were only being -forced by the tide more on to the breakers. -Therefore we stopped, and all at once found -our friends, the two launches, close aboard: -they had discovered we were ashore, and had -made up their minds to attack us.</p> - -<p class='c006'>At once all was in confusion; the pilot and -signalman rushed to the dinghy, lowered it, and -made good their escape; the captain lost his -head and disappeared; and the crews of the -launches, after firing several volleys, one of -which slightly wounded me, rowed in to board -us on each sponson. Just at this moment I -suddenly recollected that our private despatches, -<a id='Page_120'></a>which ought to have been thrown overboard, -were still in the starboard life-boat. I rushed -to it, but found the lanyard to which the -sinking weight was attached was foul of one -of the thwarts; I tugged and tugged, but to -no purpose, so I sung out for a knife which -was handed to me by a fireman, and I cut the -line and pitched the bag overboard as the -Northerners jumped on board. Eighteen -months afterwards that fireman accosted me -in the Liverpool streets, saying, "Mr. Taylor, -do you remember my lending you a knife." -"Of course I do," I replied, giving him a tip -at which he was mightily pleased: poor fellow, -he had been thirteen months in a Northern -prison.</p> - -<p class='c006'>When the Northerners jumped on board -they were terribly excited. I don't know -whether they expected resistance or not, but -they acted more like maniacs than sane men, -firing their revolvers and cutting right and left -with their cutlasses. I stood in front of the -men on the poop and said that we surrendered, -but all the reply I received from the lieutenant -commanding was, "Oh, you surrender, do -<a id='Page_121'></a>you?..." accompanied by a string of the -choicest Yankee oaths and sundry reflections -upon my parentage; whereupon he fired his -revolver twice point blank at me not two yards -distant: it was a miracle he did not kill me, -as I heard the bullets whiz past my head. -This roused my wrath, and I expostulated in -the strongest terms upon his firing on unarmed -men; he then cooled down, giving me into the -charge of two of his men, one of whom speedily -possessed himself of my binoculars. Fortunately, -as I had no guard to my watch, they -didn't discover it, and I have it still.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Finding they could not get the ship off, -and afraid, I presume, of Lamb and his men -coming to our rescue, the Federals commenced -putting the captain (who had been discovered -behind a boat!) and the crew into the boats; -they then set the ship on fire fore and aft, -and she soon began to blaze merrily. At -this moment one of our firemen, an Irishman, -sung out, "Begorra, we shall all be in the air -in a minute, the ship is full of gunpowder!" -No sooner did the Northern sailors hear this -than a panic seized them, and they rushed to -<a id='Page_122'></a>their boats, threatening to leave their officers -behind if they did not come along. The men -who were holding me dropped me like a hot -potato, and to my great delight jumped into -their boat, and away they rowed as fast as -they could, taking all our crew, with the exception -of the second officer, one of the engineers, -four seamen and myself, as prisoners.</p> - -<p class='c006'>We chuckled at our lucky escape, but we -were not out of the wood yet, as we had -only a boat half stove in, in which to reach the -shore through some 300 yards of surf, and -we were afraid at any moment that our -enemies finding there was no powder on -board might return. We made a feeble effort -to put the fire out, but it had gained too -much headway, and although I offered the -men with me £50 apiece to stand by me -and persevere, they were too demoralised and -began to lower the shattered boat, swearing -that they would leave me behind if I didn't -come with them. There was nothing for it -but to go, yet the passage through the boiling -surf seemed more dangerous to my mind than -remaining on the burning ship. The blockaders -<a id='Page_123'></a>immediately opened fire when they knew their -own men had left the <i>Night Hawk</i>, and that -she was burning; and Lamb's great shells -hurtling over our heads, and those from the -blockading fleet bursting all around us, formed -a weird picture. In spite of the hail of shot -and shell and the dangers of the boiling surf, -we reached the shore in safety, wet through, -and glad I was in my state of exhaustion from -loss of blood and fatigue to be welcomed by -Lamb's orderly officer.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The poor <i>Night Hawk</i> was now a sheet -of flame, and I thought it was all up with her; -and indeed it would have been had it not been -for Lamb, who, calling for volunteers from -his garrison, sent off two or three boat loads -of men to her, and when I came down to the -beach, after having my wound dressed and -a short rest, I was delighted to find the fire -had sensibly decreased. I went on board, and -after some hours of hard work the fire was -extinguished. But what a wreck she was!</p> - -<p class='c006'>Luckily with the rising tide she had bumped -over the bank, and was now lying on the -main beach much more accessible and sheltered. -<a id='Page_124'></a>Still it seemed an almost hopeless task to save -her; but we were not going to be beaten without -a try, so, having ascertained how she lay -and the condition she was in, I resolved to -have an attempt to get her dry, and telegraphed -to Wilmington for assistance.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Our agent sent me down about 300 -negroes to assist in baling and pumping, and -I set them to work at once. As good luck -would have it, my finest steamer, <i>Banshee</i> No. -2, which had just been sent out, ran in the -next night. She was a great improvement on -the first <i>Banshee</i>, having a sea-speed of 15-1/2 -knots, which was considered very fast in those -days; her length was 252 feet, beam 31 feet, -depth 11 feet, her registered tonnage 439 tons, -and her crew consisted of fifty-three in all. I -at once requisitioned her for aid in the shape -of engineers and men, so that now I had -everything in the way of hands I could want. -Our great difficulty was that the <i>Night Hawk's</i> -anchors would not hold for us to get a fair haul -at her.</p> - -<p class='c006'>But here again I was to be in luck. For -the very next night the <i>Falcon</i>, commanded -<a id='Page_125'></a>by poor Hewett, in attempting to run in stuck -fast upon the bank over which we had -bumped, not one hundred yards to windward -of us, and broke in two. It is an ill -wind that blows nobody good, and Hewett's -mischance proved the saving of our ship. -Now we had a hold for our chain cables by -making them fast to the wreck, and were able -gradually to haul her off by them a little during -each tide, until on the seventh day we had -her afloat in a gut between the bank and the -shore, and at high water we steamed under our -own steam gaily up the river to Wilmington.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Considering the appliances we had and the -circumstances under which we were working, -the saving of that steamer was certainly a -wonderful performance, as we were under -fire almost the whole time. The Northerners, -irritated, no doubt, by their failure to destroy -the ship, used to shell us by day and send in -boats by night; Lamb, however, put a stop -to the latter annoyance by lending us a couple -of companies to defend us, and one night, -when our enemies rowed close up with the -intention of boarding us, they were glad to -<a id='Page_126'></a>sheer off with the loss of a lieutenant and -several men. In spite of all the shot and -shell by day and the repeated attacks at night, -we triumphed in the end, and, after having -the <i>Night Hawk</i> repaired at a huge cost and -getting together a crew, I gave May, a friend -of mine, command of her, and he ran her out -successfully with a valuable cargo, which made -her pay, notwithstanding all her bad luck and -the amount spent upon her. Poor May, he -was afterwards governor of Perth gaol, and -is dead now,—a high-toned, sensitive gentleman, -mightily proud of his ship, lame duck -as she was.</p> - -<p class='c006'>When she was burning, our utmost efforts -were of course directed towards keeping her -engine-room and boilers amidships intact, and -confining the flames to both ends; in this we -were successful, mainly owing to the fact -of her having thwart-ship bunkers: but as -regards the rest of the steamer she was a -complete wreck; her sides were all corrugated -with the heat, and her stern so twisted that -her starboard quarter was some two feet higher -than her port one, and not a particle of woodwork -<a id='Page_127'></a>was left unconsumed. Owing to the -limited resources of Wilmington as regards -repairs, I found it impossible to have this put -right, so her sides were left as they were, and -the new deck put on on the slope I have -described, and caulked with cotton, as no -oakum was procurable. When completed she -certainly was a queer-looking craft, but as tight -as a bottle and as seaworthy as ever, although -I doubt if any Lloyd's surveyor would have -passed her. But as a matter of fact she came -across the Atlantic, deeply immersed with her -coal supply, through some very bad weather, -without damage, and was sold for a mere -song, to be repaired and made into a passenger -boat for service on the East Coast, where she -ran for many years with success.</p> - -<p class='c006'>It had been a hard week for me, as I had -no clothes except what I had on when we -were boarded,—my servant very cleverly, as -he imagined, having thrown my portmanteau -into the man-of-war's boat when he thought -I was going to be captured, and all I had in -the world was the old serge suit in which I -stood. Being without a change and wet -<a id='Page_128'></a>through every day and night for six days -consecutively, it is little wonder that I caught -fever and ague, of which I nearly died in -Richmond, and which distressing complaint -stuck to me for more than eighteen months. -I shall never forget, on going to a store -in Wilmington for a new rig-out (which by -the bye cost $1200), the look of horror on the -storekeeper's face when I told him the coat I -had purchased would do if he cut a foot off it: -he thought it such a waste of expensive material.</p> - -<p class='c006'>A very unfortunate occurrence took place -incident upon the wreck of the <i>Falcon</i>. She -had on board as passenger a Mrs. Greenhow, -a famous Confederate spy, who, when the -steamer struck, pleaded hard to be put ashore, -fearing no doubt capture by the Federals. -Hewett was most energetic in his efforts to -dissuade her, but at last manned a boat for -her, which was upset in the breakers, and she -alone was drowned. It was I who found her -body on the beach at daylight, and afterwards -took it up to Wilmington. A remarkably -handsome woman she was, with features which -showed much character. Although one cannot -<a id='Page_129'></a>altogether admire the profession of a spy, still -there was no doubt that she imagined herself -in following such a profession to be serving -her country in the only way open to her.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Surely in war the feelings of both men and -women become blunted as to the niceties of -what is right or wrong. I well remember on -one occasion an eminent Confederate officer -bringing me an infernal machine which he -had invented, a kind of shell exactly like -a lump of coal, with a request that some -should be placed on each of our steamers, -and that, in case of capture, they should be -put in the coal bunkers so as to be thrown -into the furnaces by the prize crew. I told -him that this was not my idea of making war, -and moreover mildly suggested that, even if -it were, he seemed to have forgotten that -our crew would probably be on board as -prisoners and be blown up into the air with -their captors.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Another eminent Confederate military doctor -proposed to me during the prevalence of the -yellow fever epidemic that he should ship -by our boats to Nassau and Bermuda sundry -<a id='Page_130'></a>cases of infected clothing, which were to be -sent to the North with the idea of spreading -the disease there. This was too much, and -I shouted at him, not in the choicest language, -to leave the office. It is difficult to conceive -of such a diabolical idea, not only to spread -havoc among combatants, but among innocent -women and children, being present in an -educated man's mind.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <a id='Page_131'></a> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER X<br /> <br />EXPERIENCES ASHORE IN DIXIE'S LAND</h2> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c011'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='small'>Railway travelling in the Southern States—The conductor's</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>car—Carrying despatches—A weary and anxious wait—Under fire</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>in a train—Excitement in Richmond—General Lee's headquarter</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>staff—The Confederate Government—Privations in Richmond—The</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>bitterest rebels of the war—A startling dinner bill—Provisioning</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>General Lee's army—Admiral Porter's first attack on Fort</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>Fisher—The <i>Banshee</i> No. 2 runs through the Federal</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>Fleet—General and Mrs. Randolph—A magnificent cargo.</span></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>The dangers and discomforts at sea were not -the only excitements which a blockade-runner -experienced. As the blockade-running fleet -of which I had charge extended, not only -was an increase in my office staff in Nassau -entailed, but a good deal of travelling by rail -to and fro between Wilmington and Richmond, -for the purpose of negotiations with the heads -of departments there regarding the contracts -we had with them, and upon various other -matters.</p> - -<p class='c006'><a id='Page_132'></a>These trips involved an enormous amount -of fatigue, worry, excitement, and even danger, -as it was no easy matter latterly to get in and -out of the beleaguered city safely; the railway -journey itself, which often extended over a -couple of days and nights, was an affair of -great discomfort, the permanent way being -anything but permanent, and the rolling stock -too often rolling elsewhere than upon the -rails. It was considered a joke in those days -to assert that a journey from Wilmington to -Richmond was almost as dangerous as an -engagement with the enemy. The only place -on the train where any approach to comfort -was obtainable was in the conductor's car, -the entrée to which I generally contrived to -secure, aided by a little judicious palm-greasing -and the possession of a brandy bottle or -two; but the latter had its disadvantages, as -the word was soon passed round that there -was a Britisher on board the train with some -<i>real</i> good brandy. And it was considered the -duty of every one to whom I had stood a drink -to introduce a friend who wanted one badly; -consequently the brandy was generally used up -<a id='Page_133'></a>on the outward trip, and there was little left -for the return. But it was great pleasure to -be able to quench the poor fellows' thirst, -more especially the wounded, with whom the -cars were often filled to overflowing.</p> - -<p class='c006'>As a rule my good friend Heiliger, Confederate -Agent at Nassau, used to entrust me -with despatches, the carriage of which provided -me with a pass which much facilitated -my journeys; but on one occasion towards -the end of the war the possession of these -despatches made it a little awkward for me. -I had arrived one afternoon at Petersburg, -which is about fifteen miles from Richmond, -and found a tremendous hubbub going on. -Butler, having attacked the place with his -corps, hoped to take it and then turn the -Confederate flank. Although it was but -poorly defended, being held by some 1500 -recruits and boys, they kept their ground, -entrenched about a mile outside the town.</p> - -<p class='c006'>It was while this first attack was in progress -that I arrived on the scene, and recognising -the gravity of the position, if the place were -taken and despatches found upon me (an -<a id='Page_134'></a>Englishman), I went to the Commissary-General -and asked him to provide me with -a horse to take me to Richmond. He said -this was impossible, but that they had telegraphed -for reinforcements, and that Hoke's -division was expected by train in an hour or -two, and I had better go to the depôt and -there wait my chance of getting the empty -return train. It was a weary and anxious -wait, as we could hear the attack going on -and feared the defence would every moment -be overpowered. However, a short time before -daylight we heard the train approaching, and -soon afterwards it steamed in, crowded even -on the roofs of carriages by Hoke's men, who -were promptly detrained and hurried off at -the double to the scene of action—a welcome -reinforcement. I got in the train, and we -started for Richmond. We had only proceeded -a few miles when, in the gray dawn, we saw -a body of Butler's cavalry galloping as hard -as they could to intercept us and tear up the -line in front. Our engineer, however, equal -to the occasion, put on full steam, and we just -managed to get ahead of them. Seeing they -<a id='Page_135'></a>were too late, they drew up alongside the -track and potted at us with their carbines, -without, however, wounding any one. They -then at once tore up the rails in our rear.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Being under fire in a train was a curious -experience, and perhaps more exciting for -me than the others, as I had my hand on -the blessed despatches, uncertain what to do. -Fortunately we arrived safely at Richmond, -and I was very glad to be rid of my responsibilities. -This was the last train that -got in on the direct Wilmington line; after -that, in order to get in and out, we had to -make a long detour viâ Danville.</p> - -<p class='c006'>I found Richmond in a great state of -excitement; the Northern attack had become -more animated; the investment was more -stringent; the booming of heavy guns was -heard night and day; and hourly reports -were brought from the front. It was upon -this visit that I accompanied Lee's Headquarter -staff on the celebrated march along -the south side of the James river, when he -marched rapidly to Petersburg in order to -confront the Northerners' sudden change of -<a id='Page_136'></a>front on that town. Upon a previous occasion -I had made the acquaintance of the -great General, and on this one I breakfasted -with him. Shortly afterwards the march, -which was very exciting, began. We were -constantly in close touch with the enemy,—at -one time marching through the woods, which -were being shelled by the Northern gunboats -in the James river—at another time skirmishing -at close quarters with the Federals' flank; but -as I had seen most of the seven days' fighting -round Richmond I felt almost an old campaigner. -It was a hard day, as, after being fifteen hours -in the saddle without food, I was obliged to -return to Richmond on important business that -night, instead of bivouacking with the Headquarters -staff, as I was pressed to do. Wearied -and almost exhausted I found on my arrival in -the city that all I could obtain at the hotel was -some corn bread and cold bacon washed down -with water.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The following is an extract from a letter -dated 15th January 1865, written to my chiefs -after this visit to Richmond.</p> - -<div class='lg-container-l c012'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Altogether I think the Confederate Government is going</div> - <div class='line'><a id='Page_137'></a>to the <i>bad</i>, and if they don't take care the Confederacy</div> - <div class='line'>will go too. I never saw things look so gloomy, and I think</div> - <div class='line'>spring will finish them unless they make a change for</div> - <div class='line'>the better. Georgia is gone, and they say Sherman is</div> - <div class='line'>going to seize Branchville; if he does, Charleston and</div> - <div class='line'>Wilmington will be done—and if Wilmington goes Lee</div> - <div class='line'>has to evacuate Richmond and retire into Tennessee. He</div> - <div class='line'>told me the other day, that if they did not keep Wilmington</div> - <div class='line'>he could not save Richmond. They nearly had Fort Fisher—they</div> - <div class='line'>were within sixty yards of it—and had they pushed</div> - <div class='line'>on as they ought to have done could have taken it. It</div> - <div class='line'>was a terrific bombardment; they estimate that about</div> - <div class='line'>40,000 shells were sent into it. Colonel Lamb behaved</div> - <div class='line'>like a brick—splendidly. I got the last of the Whitworths</div> - <div class='line'>in, and they are now at the Fort. They are very hard up</div> - <div class='line'>for food in the field, but the <i>Banshee</i> has this time 600</div> - <div class='line'>barrels of pork and 1500 boxes of meat—enough to feed</div> - <div class='line'>Lee's army for a month.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c006'>The above extract is interesting, as it -showed that my diagnosis of the position -of affairs, written in January 1865, proved -correct as to what actually happened two or -three months later. Sherman <i>did</i> capture -Branchville, and in consequence Charleston and -Wilmington. When the latter port fell Lee -<i>was</i> forced to evacuate Richmond and retire -towards Tennessee and eventually capitulate. -Had Charleston and Wilmington been retained -and blockade-running encouraged, instead of -having obstacles thrown in the way, I am -<a id='Page_138'></a>convinced that the condition of affairs would -have been altered very materially, and perhaps -would have led to the South obtaining what -it had shed so much blood to gain, viz. its -independence. No doubt at that critical time -the North was making its last supreme effort, -and, had it failed, negotiations would probably -have been opened up with a view to peace.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The privations of the regular residents -in Richmond in those days were very great, -as food of all kinds was very expensive; but -all bore their troubles without a murmur, and -I think there was more enthusiasm displayed -there than in any other city in the South; -probably because the people, with the enemy -at their gates, were always in close touch with -them, and also because there was such a large -female element in society there, for the ladies -of the South were proverbially the staunchest -and bitterest rebels of the war. Of course -money still purchased most things, and we -blockade-runners, who were well supplied with -coin, managed to live in comparative comfort -and at times even fared sumptuously. I -remember a great dinner I gave to a few -<a id='Page_139'></a>heads of departments; it was a banquet no -one need have been ashamed of. But oh the -bill!—a little over $5000 (Confederate) for a -dinner to fourteen. When one has to pay -$150 a bottle for champagne, $120 for sherry -or madeira, and as much in proportion for the -viands, the account soon runs up. However, -it was a great success, and well worth the cost.</p> - -<p class='c006'>That morning I had met by appointment -the Commissary-General, who divulged to -me under promise of secrecy that Lee's army -was in terrible straits, and had in fact rations -only for about thirty days. He asked me -if I could help him; I said I would do my -best, and after some negotiations he undertook -to pay me a profit of 350 per cent -upon any provisions and meat I could bring -in within the next three weeks! I had then, -discharging in Wilmington, the <i>Banshee</i> No. -2, which had just been sent out to replace -the first <i>Banshee</i>, and in which I had run the -blockade inwards. I telegraphed instructions -to have her made ready for sea with all speed -and await my arrival. After a somewhat exciting -and lengthy journey of three days and -<a id='Page_140'></a>nights, owing to having to go round by Danville, -I reached Wilmington, successfully ran -the blockade out, purchased my cargo of provisions, -etc. at Nassau for about £6000 (for -which eventually I was paid over £27,000), -and, after a most exciting run in, landed the -same in Wilmington within eighteen days after -leaving Richmond.</p> - -<p class='c006'>In the interim between our leaving Wilmington -and our return, Porter's fleet had -made an unsuccessful attack upon Fort Fisher, -and he was just then at the time of our appearance -upon the scene concluding his attack and -re-embarking his beaten troops. When morning -broke and we were near the fort we counted -sixty-four vessels that we had passed through. -After being heavily fired into at daybreak by -several gunboats (the fort being unable to -protect us as usual, owing to nearly all its -guns having been put out of action in the -attack of the two previous days), it was an -exciting moment as we crossed the bar in -safety, cheered by the garrison, some 2000 -strong, who knew we had provisions on board -for the relief of their comrades in Virginia.</p> - -<p class='c006'><a id='Page_141'></a>I wrote under date of 15th January 1865 to -my chiefs at home with reference to this trip:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-l c012'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>I went over in the <i>Banshee</i> and had an exciting time of</div> - <div class='line'>it; we arrived off the bar when Porter's vast fleet was there,</div> - <div class='line'>and I think the Confederate Trading Company ought to</div> - <div class='line'>be proud of their two vessels (<i>Banshee</i> and <i>Wild Rover</i>)</div> - <div class='line'>both running through that immense fleet and getting safely</div> - <div class='line'>in. The <i>Banshee</i> was out in front of them all for half an</div> - <div class='line'>hour after daylight, as we were rather late and could not get</div> - <div class='line'>up to the bar before. They said at Fort Fisher that it was</div> - <div class='line'>a beautiful sight to see the little <i>Banshee</i> manœuvring in</div> - <div class='line'>front of the whole fleet. They sent some vessels in to</div> - <div class='line'>pepper us, but every shot missed, and we got in safely.</div> - <div class='line'>Porter's fleet left that evening, and I think they have given</div> - <div class='line'>up the attack for a time.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c006'>I shall never forget that trip. We sailed -from Nassau at dusk on the evening before -Christmas day, but were only just outside the -harbour when our steam pipe split and we had -to return. As it was hopeless on account of -the moon to make the attempt unless we could -get away next day, I was in despair and -thought it was all up with my 350 per cent profit. -After long trying in vain to find some one to -undertake the necessary repairs, owing to its -being Christmas day, I found at last a Yankee, -who said: "Well <i>sir</i>, its only a question of -price." I said "Name yours," and he replied -<a id='Page_142'></a>"Well I guess $400 for three clamps would -be fair." I said "All right, if finished by six -o'clock": he set to work, and we made all -arrangements to start. Shortly after six the -work was finished, but the black pilot then -declared he couldn't take her out until the tide -turned, there being no room to turn her in the -harbour. As it was a question of hours I said, -"Back her out." He grinned and said, "Perhaps -do plenty damage." "Never mind," said I, "try -it"—and we did, with the result that we came -plump into the man-of-war lying at the entrance -of the harbour (officers all on deck ready to go -down to their Christmas dinner), and ground -along her side, smashing two of her boats in, -but doing ourselves little damage. "Goodbye," -I shouted; "a merry Christmas; send the -bill in for the boats." Away we went clear, -and fortunate it was we did so, as we only -arrived off Wilmington just in time to run -through Porter's fleet before daybreak.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The trip out was equally exciting, as I had -as passengers General Randolph, ex-Secretary -of State for War, who was going to Europe -invalided, and his wife. I did not want -<a id='Page_143'></a>to take them, as the <i>Banshee</i> had practically -no accommodation whatever, particularly for -ladies. However, <i>she</i> had such a good -character for safety, that they pleaded hard -to be taken, and I at last consented, though -I did not like at all the responsibility of -having a lady on board. I was determined, -however, to make Mrs. Randolph as safe as -possible, so told the stevedore to keep a square -space between the cotton bales on deck, into -which she could retire in case the firing became -hot. And hot it did become. Running down -with a strong ebb tide through the Smith's -inlet channel, we suddenly found a gunboat in -the middle of the channel on the bar. It was -too late to stop, so we put her at it, almost -grazing the gunboat's sides and receiving her -broadside point blank. Mrs. Randolph had -retired to her place of safety, but she told me -afterwards that, alarmed as she was, she could -not help laughing when, after she had been -there only an instant, my coloured servant, who -had evidently fixed upon the place as appearing -to be the most safe, jumped right on the top of -her, his teeth chattering through fear. How -<a id='Page_144'></a>we laughed the next morning, and how poor -Sam got chaffed, but he became quite a cool -hand, and when we were running in, in daylight, -in the <i>Will-o-the-Wisp</i> (as I have already related), -and the shot were coming thick, Sam -appeared upon the bridge with his usual -"Coffee Sar!"</p> - -<p class='c006'>After we had got rid of our friend on the -bar, we were heavily peppered by her consorts -outside, from whom we received no damage, -but we fell in with very bad weather, and the -ship was under water most of the time. Right -glad I was to land my passengers, who were -half dead through sea-sickness, exposure, and -fatigue.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Although it was a hard trip it paid well, as -we had on board coming out a most magnificent -cargo, a great deal of it Sea Island -cotton, the profit upon which and the provisions -I had taken in amounted to over £85,000—not -bad work for about twenty days!</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <a id='Page_145'></a> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XI<br /> <br />HAVANA AND GALVESTON</h2> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c011'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='small'>The most expensive city in the world—An adventurous trip—A</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>furious gale in the gulf-stream—A run to Galveston—A worthless</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>pilot—A "Norther"—Drifting in the middle of a blockading</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>squadron—An old friend again—The <i>Banshee</i> nearly</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>lost—Uncomfortably close quarters—A choice of alternatives—A</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>reckless undertaking—Galveston—A scarcity of cotton—A trip</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>to Houston—A sporting conductor and engine-driver—The execution</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>of a deserter—Return to Nassau—Ending of the war—A disastrous</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>liquidation—Home.</span></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>Havana was a great blockade-running centre -to and from the Gulf ports, but until Wilmington -was closed I did not attempt to -utilise it, for many reasons preferring Nassau -and the last named port. I went over there, -however, several times, partly on business, -and partly on pleasure, and a lovely city it -was. Cuba was then in the heyday of -success, and no one who had not visited -its capital could have imagined that such a -<a id='Page_146'></a>gay and beautiful city existed in the West -Indies. Money seemed no object. And -fortunately there was plenty, for everything -was extravagantly dear, and I should think -that at that time it was one of the most if not -the most expensive city in the world to -live in.</p> - -<p class='c006'>To us blockade-runners, accustomed to the -hard life in the South and the contracted -surroundings of Nassau, Havana appeared -like Paradise; good hotels and casinos, a -capital theatre, magnificent equipages, military -bands, handsome women, and, last but not -least, the lavish and genial hospitality dispensed -by our Consul-General, Mr. Crawford, -and his charming daughters at their house, -"Buenos Ayres," made a residence in Havana -like a rest in an oasis to the weary traveller -of the desert. But it was not all pleasure, -as far as I was concerned. I had my business -with its anxieties to attend to, and on one of -my visits I had a rather adventurous trip to -Nassau in a small schooner which I had -chartered to convey some boiler tubes there. -Being very anxious to reach Nassau quickly, -<a id='Page_147'></a>I decided to go in her instead of waiting for -the mail steamer which left a few days later.</p> - -<p class='c006'>I made a start in the small craft (her size -can be imagined when I state that she was -a man-of-war's pinnace raised upon) manned -by nine niggers. The first day out we encountered -a furious gale in the Gulf-stream, -and it is a marvel our little craft lived -through it, for a fearful sea was running. -However, she proved an excellent sea-boat, -and when the gale subsided we found ourselves -on the Bahama banks becalmed; for -nine days we drifted helplessly over them, -suffering agonies from the heat, hunger, and -thirst, as we had only laid in provisions for -about four days, and to make matters worse -the bung had been left out of our freshwater -cask and in the gale the water was -rendered undrinkable by the salt water washing -over it. Fortunately I had laid in a supply of -a dozen of claret and a dozen of beer, and -this was all we had to divide between us; -however, everything has an end, and on the -ninth day we had a spanking breeze which -carried us in to Nassau, but not until we had -<a id='Page_148'></a>been passed about twenty miles outside by -the mail steamer in which I could have come, -and whose captain, recognising me on board -the schooner, jeered at me from his bridge.</p> - -<p class='c006'>When Wilmington was on the point of -falling there was nothing for it but to transfer -our operations to Galveston, and to accomplish -this I took the <i>Banshee</i> No. 2 over to Havana -with a valuable cargo, accompanied by Frank -Hurst, in order to make an attempt to run -into Galveston: this proved to be my last -trip, but it was far from being the least -exciting. When all was ready we experienced -the greatest difficulty in finding a Galveston -pilot. Though, owing to the high rate of -pay, numbers of men were to be found ready -to offer their services, it was extremely hard -to obtain competent men. After considerable -delay we had to content ourselves at last -with a man who <i>said</i> he knew all about the -port, but who turned out to be absolutely -worthless. We then made a start, and with -the exception of meeting with the most -violent thunderstorm, in which the lightning -was something awful, nothing extraordinary -<a id='Page_149'></a>occurred on our passage across the Gulf of -Mexico, and we scarcely saw a sail—very -different from our experiences between Nassau -and Wilmington, when it was generally a case -of "sail on the port bow" or "steamer right -ahead" at all hours of the day.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The third evening after leaving Havana -we had run our distance, and, on heaving the -lead and finding that we were within a few -miles of the shore, we steamed cautiously on -in order to try and make out the blockading -squadron or the land. It was a comparatively -calm and very dark night, just the one for -the purpose, but within an hour all had -changed and it commenced to blow a regular -"Norther," a wind which is very prevalent on -that coast. Until then I had no idea what -a "Norther" meant; first rain came down in -torrents, then out of the inky blackness of -clouds and rain came furious gusts, until a -hurricane was blowing against which, notwithstanding -that we were steaming at full speed, -we made little or no way, and although the -sea was smooth our decks were swept by -white foam and spray. Suddenly we made -<a id='Page_150'></a>out some dark objects all round us, and found -ourselves drifting helplessly among the ships -of the blockading squadron, which were steaming -hard to their anchors, and at one moment -we were almost jostling two of them; whether -they knew what we were, or mistook us for -one of themselves matters not; they were too -much occupied about their own safety to -attempt to interfere.</p> - -<p class='c006'>As to attempt to get into Galveston that -night would have been madness, we let the -<i>Banshee</i> drift and, when we thought we were -clear of the fleet, we steamed slowly seaward, -after a while shaping a course so as to make -the land about thirty miles to the south-west -at daylight. We succeeded in doing this and -quietly dropped our anchor in perfectly calm -water, the "Norther" having subsided almost -as quickly as it had risen. Having seen -enough of our pilot to realise that he was -no good whatever, we decided after a conference -to lie all day where we were, keeping -a sharp look-out and steam handy, and -determined as evening came on to creep -slowly up the coast until we made out the -<a id='Page_151'></a>blockading fleet, then to anchor again and -make a bold dash at daylight for our port.</p> - -<p class='c006'>All went well; we were unmolested during -the day and got under weigh towards evening, -passing close to a wreck which we recognised -as our old friend the <i>Will-o'-the-Wisp</i>, which -had been driven ashore and lost on the very -first trip she made after I had sold her. -Immediately afterwards we very nearly lost -our own ship too. Seeing a post of Confederate -soldiers close by on the beach, we -determined to steam close in and communicate -with them in order to learn all about the -tactics of the blockaders and our exact distance -from Galveston. We backed her close in to -the breakers in order to speak, but when the -order was given to go ahead she declined to -move, and the chief engineer reported that -something had gone wrong with the cylinder -valve, and that she must heave to for repairs. -It was an anxious moment; the <i>Banshee</i> had -barely three fathoms beneath her, and her stern -was almost in the white water. We let go -the anchor, but in the heavy swell it failed -to hold: the pilot was in a helpless state of -<a id='Page_152'></a>flurry when he found that we were drifting -slowly but steadily towards the shore, but -Steele's presence of mind never for one -moment deserted him. The comparatively -few minutes which occupied the engineers -in temporarily remedying the defect seemed -like hours in the presence of the danger -momentarily threatening us. When, at length, -the engineers managed to turn her ahead we -on the bridge were greatly relieved to see -her point seawards and clear the breakers. -I have often thought since, if a disaster had -happened and we had lost the ship, how stupid -we should have been thought by people at -home.</p> - -<p class='c006'>As soon as we reached deep water the -damage was permanently repaired, and we -steamed cautiously up the coast, until about -sundown we made out the topmasts of the -blockading squadron right ahead. We promptly -stopped, calculating that, as they were about -ten to eleven miles from us, Galveston must -lie a little further on our port bow. We let -go our anchor and prepared for an anxious -night; all hands were on deck and the cable -<a id='Page_153'></a>was ready to be unshackled at a moment's -notice, with steam as nearly ready as possible -without blowing off, as at any moment a -prowler from the squadron patrolling the coast -might have made us out. We had not been -lying thus very long when suddenly on the -starboard bow we made out a cruiser steaming -towards us evidently on the prowl. It was -a critical time; all hands were on deck, a man -standing by to knock the shackle out of the -chain cable, and the engineers at their stations. -Thanks to the backing of the coast, our friend -did not discover us and to our relief disappeared -to the southward.</p> - -<p class='c006'>After this all was quiet during the remainder -of the night, which, fortunately for -us, was very dark, and about two hours before -daylight we quietly raised our anchor and -steamed slowly on, feeling our way cautiously -by the lead, and hoping, when daylight fairly -broke, to find ourselves inside the fleet -opposite Galveston and able to make a short -dash for the bar. We had been under weigh -some time, when suddenly we discovered a -launch close to us on the port bow filled with -<a id='Page_154'></a>Northern blue-jackets and marines. "Full -speed ahead," shouted Steele, and we were -within an ace of running her down as we -almost grazed her with our port paddle-wheel. -Hurst and I looked straight down into the -boat, waving them a parting salute. The -crew seemed only too thankful at their narrow -escape to open fire, but they soon regained -their senses and threw up rocket after rocket -in our wake as a warning to the blockading -fleet to be on the alert.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Daylight was then slowly breaking, and -the first thing we discovered was that we had -not taken sufficient account of the effects of -the "Norther" on the current; instead of -being opposite the town with the fleet broad -on to our starboard beam, we found ourselves -down three or four miles from it and the most -leeward blockader close to us on our bow. -It was a moment for immediate decision: the -alternatives were to turn tail and stand a -chase to seaward by their fastest cruisers with -chance of capture, and in any case a return to -Havana as we had not sufficient coal for -another attempt, or to make a dash for it and -<a id='Page_155'></a>take the fire of the squadron. In an instant -we decided to go for it, and orders to turn -ahead full speed were given; but the difficulty -now to be overcome was that we could not -make for the main channel without going -through the fleet. This would have been -certain destruction, so we had to make for -a sort of swash channel along the beach, -which, however, was nothing but a <i>cul-de-sac</i>, -and to get from it into the main channel. -Shoal water and heavy breakers had to be -passed, but there was now no other choice -open to us.</p> - -<p class='c006'>By this time the fleet had opened fire upon -us, and shells were bursting merrily around -as we took the fire of each ship which we -passed. Fortunately there was a narrow -shoal between us, which prevented them from -approaching within about half a mile of us; -luckily also for us they were in rough water -on the windward side of the shoal and could -not lay their guns with precision. And to -this we owed our escape, as, although our -funnels were riddled with shell splinters, we -received no damage and had only one man -<a id='Page_156'></a>wounded. But the worst was to come; we -saw the white water already ahead, and we -knew our only chance was to bump through -it, being well aware that if she stuck fast we -should lose the ship and all our lives, for no -boat, even if it could have been launched, -would have lived in such a surf.</p> - -<p class='c006'>With two leadsmen in the chains we -approached our fate, taking no notice of the -bursting shells and round shot to which the -blockaders treated us in their desperation; -it was not a question of the fathoms but of the -feet we were drawing: twelve feet, ten, nine, -and when we put her at it, as you do a horse -at a jump, and as her nose was entering the -white water, "eight feet" was sung out. A -moment afterwards we touched and hung; -and I thought all was over, when a big wave -came rolling along and lifted our stern and -the ship bodily with a crack which could be -heard a quarter of a mile off, and which we -thought meant that her back was broken.</p> - -<div class='figcenter id007'> -<img src='images/i191.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic001'> -<p><i>BANSHEE NO. 2</i> RUNNING THE GAUNTLET OF THE GALVESTON BLOCKADING SQUADRON IN DAYLIGHT. <i>To face page 156.</i></p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c006'><a id='Page_157'></a>She once more went ahead: the worst was -over, and, after two or three minor bumps, we -were in the deep channel, helm hard a-starboard -and heading for Galveston Bay, leaving -the disappointed blockaders astern. It was a -reckless undertaking and a narrow escape, but -we were safe in, and after an examination by -the health officer we steamed gaily up to the -town, the wharves of which were crowded by -people, who, gazing to seaward, had watched -our exploit with much interest, and who -cheered us heartily upon its success.</p> - -<p class='c006'>I found Galveston a most forsaken place; -its streets covered with sand, its wharves -rotting, its defences in a most deplorable -condition, very different from those at Wilmington, -and if the Northerners had taken -the trouble I think that they could easily -have possessed themselves of it. But our -welcome was warm, and during the <i>Banshee's</i> -long stay we had a real good time; General -Magruder was in command, and many a -cheery entertainment we had on board with -him and his staff as guests, who were all -musical. We had a capital French cook, and -as plenty of game, fish, and oysters were -procurable, and our good liquor was plentiful, -we had all the necessary ingredients for many -<a id='Page_158'></a>most sociable evenings—this was the bright -side of the picture.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The reverse was the difficulty I had in -procuring a suitable outward cargo; the inward -one was all right, and I found our -assortment would sell well, but the trouble -was to obtain cotton: there was extremely -little of it left near the seaboard, and to -get it from further up country was a long, -tedious, and expensive process. Moreover, -I found there would be great difficulty in -having it pressed, and to take a cargo of -half-pressed cotton meant very serious loss -indeed; however, having arranged for the -sale by auction of the inward cargo, Hurst -and I started for Houston, the capital of -Texas, armed with a letter of introduction -to the most influential merchant there, who -agreed after endless negotiations to provide -at a high price a full-pressed cargo, but -required a long time for delivery and payment -half in Confederate money (being part -of the proceeds of our inward cargo), and -the balance by drafts on home. This meant -a further loss in withdrawing my superfluous -<a id='Page_159'></a>proceeds from the country, but as no better -bargain could be made I agreed.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Houston, in those days, was a pretty little -town, very dull of course, but fortunately we -made the acquaintance of a charming family, -refugees from Baton Rouge, who were most -kind to us, and I shall ever feel grateful to -Mrs. Avery and her fair daughters for the -hospitality which they extended to me.</p> - -<p class='c006'>After concluding these arrangements I returned -to Galveston, being rather amused on -the journey by the sudden stoppage of the -train, which had been crawling along at about -ten miles an hour, followed by the leisurely -exit of the conductor and engine driver each -with a gun on his shoulder, who calmly disappeared -across the prairie on a gunning -expedition. After about an hour's delay the -sportsmen returned fairly successful, and with -"all aboard" we resumed our journey.</p> - -<p class='c006'>A few days subsequently I witnessed a -sad sight—the execution of a deserter, a -fine fellow, sergeant of artillery, whose only -offence was that he had crossed the Mississippi -into the Northern lines in order to visit -<a id='Page_160'></a>his wife and family, intending, it was believed, -to return; he was captured, however, and -condemned to death by court-martial, and -the whole of the garrison of Galveston was -paraded to witness his execution. It was -an anxious time for the authorities, as it was -expected that his battery would attempt a -rescue, so the other two batteries were drawn -up opposite with guns loaded ready to fire on -it if it did. The sergeant was led out, and six -men were placed a few paces in front of him; -after refusing to have his eyes bandaged, he -dropped his hand as a signal for them to fire; -a report as from one rifle rang out, and he -dropped on his face dead. The saddest part -of this incident was, that within an hour of -his execution a pardon arrived from headquarters -at Houston on a railway trolly; -no locomotive being available four men had -worked the trolly down, but too late.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Finding that the accumulation of cargo -and consequent loading of the <i>Banshee</i> would -occupy a long time, and owing to the critical -state of affairs in the South rendering it absolutely -necessary for me to return to Nassau -<a id='Page_161'></a>as soon as possible, I decided to take a passage -in a friend's blockade-runner then ready to -start, leaving my able lieutenant Frank Hurst to -settle up things and come out in the <i>Banshee</i>. -But I did not like it at all; it was the first -time I was to try the venture in a strange -craft and as a mere passenger, and from what -I had seen of the skipper I had not over -much confidence in him.</p> - -<p class='c006'>On a night which was eminently suited for -the purpose we made a start, but no sooner did -we get down to the Tripod, which marked the -entrance to the channel, than we made out -a couple of the blockaders—a sight quite -enough for the nerves of our captain, who -declared we should certainly be seen and -immediately gave orders to turn back. This -was not my idea of blockade-running as I -had been accustomed to it, but being a passenger -I had no <i>locus standi</i> on board; we put -back to the harbour and next morning were -well chaffed. To make a long story short -we made a second attempt next night with -like results, and I was beginning to feel -thoroughly disgusted. Every hour's delay -<a id='Page_162'></a>with a growing moon now increased our risks; -on the third night, by dint of goading the -skipper, whose coal was running short, I -persuaded him to harden his heart and make -a run for it. When we reached the Tripod -we made out several of the squadron, but we -put our helm a-starboard, ran along the land, -and fortunately got clear.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Crossing the Gulf of Mexico we made out -nothing; perhaps this was because no look-out -was kept; and mightily glad I was when we -made the coast of Cuba and steamed into -Havana. This trip was certainly a revelation -to me as regards blockade-running, and no -wonder many a fine boat, navigated, no doubt, -on the same lines as the —— had been thrown -away.</p> - -<p class='c006'>This was my last trip, the twenty-eighth—a -record, I think, for any Englishman during -the war, and considering the narrow squeaks -that I had, and that I only came to grief once -in the <i>Night Hawk</i>, I had a great deal to be -thankful for.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Upon my arrival in Havana I found the -mail boat was starting for Nassau next day, -<a id='Page_163'></a>and in her I took my passage. I found Nassau -much changed, as during my absence Wilmington, -after an heroic defence of Fort Fisher -by my old friend Lamb, had been captured, -and had it not been for the supineness (not to -use a stronger phrase) of General Bragg, who -commanded the Confederate forces outside the -fort and who failed to attack the Northern -attacking force in the rear when the assault -was made, Lamb's second defence would have -been as successful as the first, and Fort Fisher -and Wilmington would have been saved to -the Confederate Government—a result which -might have had a very important bearing upon -the issue of the struggle. Wilmington and -Charleston being now closed, Nassau's days -as a blockade-running centre were over, and -the only thing to do was to wind up our affairs -as well as we could, and prepare to go home. -Even then it was evident that the game was -up as far as the South was concerned, and -very shortly afterwards we heard of Lee's -surrender and the virtual ending of the war.</p> - -<p class='c006'>In the interim the <i>Banshee</i> arrived, having -cleared out of Galveston without trouble and -<a id='Page_164'></a>transhipped her cargo at Havana, which, although -the war was over, sold for very high -prices in Liverpool. But the liquidation of -our affairs generally was a disastrous one; our -steamers were practically valueless; and as a -matter of fact the <i>Banshee</i> and <i>Night Hawk</i>, -which I sent home, and which had cost between -them some £70,000, we sold for £6000; two -or three other boats which I sent to South -America for sale realised miserable prices, so -that this, combined with the enormous stakes -we had imprisoned in the South, and which -were confiscated, took the gilt considerably off -our gingerbread.</p> - -<p class='c006'>It had been an exciting and eventful period, -however, and had I gone through it again with -the experience I had gained in the trade, I -could have made large fortunes for my employers -and myself; but in the early part of -the war, when the Northerners owing to want -of ships could only blockade the Southern -ports in a half-hearted way, we let our golden -opportunity slip in trying to work with indifferent -tools, <i>i.e.</i> slow, worn-out, heavy-draught -steamers, and it was not until almost too late -<a id='Page_165'></a>that my friends at home woke up and sent me -out a better class of boat. By that time the -blockade had become most stringent, and to -evade it was an affair involving a tremendous -risk, even with the fastest and best equipped -vessels and commanded by the most daring men.</p> - -<p class='c006'>After closing up my affairs in Nassau I -returned home for, what I think I deserved, -a well-earned rest; and I am sure I needed it, -as the hard life I had led, combined with the -after effects of yellow fever and fever and ague, -had played havoc with my nervous system. -This trouble quiet life in England soon put -right, and in a few months I found myself -bound for India as a partner in the house in -Bombay, with quite a different life to look -forward to, but very pleasant recollections of -the experience I had gained and the good -friends I had made. The death rate, however, -among those friends has lately been heavy, and -there are very few left (I think, sad to relate, -Murray-Aynsley and Frank Hurst now only -remain) of the good comrades, who would -always have stood by each other in any difficulty -or danger.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <a id='Page_166'></a> - <h2 class='c004'>CHAPTER XII<br /> <br />BLOCKADES OF THE PAST AND THE FUTURE</h2> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c011'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='small'>Present compared with past conditions—Lessons of former</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>blockades—Plan of the Northern States—Action of the</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>Gulf-stream—Search-lights; their value to blockaders and</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>blockaded—Quick-firing guns—Speed of modern ships as affecting</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='small'>a blockade—National character—Battle-ships and cruisers.</span></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>Although it is extremely improbable that the -world will ever again witness a war carried -on under conditions similar to those obtaining -in the contest carried on between the -North and South in the sixties, still it is -possible, as recent events have shown, that the -United States might find themselves involved -in a struggle with a first-rate maritime Power. -If this were the case, the first step to be taken -by that Power would be to blockade the United -States ports. This being so, it is interesting -to consider how, owing to increased speed, -quick-firing guns, and search-lights, the relationships -<a id='Page_167'></a>between blockaders and blockade-runners -have been affected during the last -thirty years.</p> - -<p class='c006'>In the civil war the conditions were very -different from those likely to occur in the -future; the blockade-runners of those days -were unarmed, and their business was to -dodge, not to fight, the blockaders, and the -shortness of the run before a safe port could -be reached made possible a heavy outlay for -building and maintaining special vessels. But -to my mind the most salient alteration in the -conditions affecting the question is the introduction -of quick-firing guns, search-lights, and -increased speed.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Before considering the effect of these changes -on the future of blockading, it will be as well -to ascertain what lessons were learnt from the -blockade of the American coast.</p> - -<p class='c006'>We soon discovered that with due care and -pluck the risk was far less than people believed; -except in a few cases our losses were caused by -ignorance of position in making the port. In -some cases this was owing to the fact of our -being chased about by day; in others it was -<a id='Page_168'></a>caused by the irregular action of the Gulf-stream; -and in some cases it was due to -neglect and want of care in keeping a proper -look-out at daylight; also to not keeping -clear of vessels when seen, and to steaming -too fast when not necessary, thereby causing -smoke, which discovered to the blockaders the -position of the runner. Discovery (after taking -all possible precautions) by a faster vessel was -the cause of a small minority of captures.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Again, the blockade was carried on on -a wrong principle. The Northern plan was,—to -keep a number of ships close off the -port, as a rule anchoring by day and by -night moving close in, and a few ships at -a moderate distance from the land. This -plan enabled runners to lie out a fair distance -from the shore at sunset so as to run in when -the time came, having the whole night before -them should they be seen. On coming out, -we felt that after the first ten miles or so from -the shore there was little chance of anything -seeing us before daylight, and if we were seen -then the inshore squadron could not join in the -chase.</p> - -<p class='c006'><a id='Page_169'></a>Off Bermuda I rarely saw a cruiser; off the -Bahamas there were three or four, but not -well placed; at sea most of the cruisers were -in pairs, as far as I could make out; so that -their limit of vision was only that of one, and -in such a case there is always the possibility -of the one trusting to the other to keep a good -look-out.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The action of the Gulf-stream was an -important factor in the calculations which the -blockade-runners had to take into consideration. -Its rate is so uncertain, that unless you -had taken a sight the day before you got in -you could not depend upon your position, -and although it could be verified by the -soundings it could not be laid down by them -alone. Star observation, from the uncertain -horizon, could not be depended upon, and the -moon of course was not available; on the -other hand, the general haze was in our favour.</p> - -<p class='c006'>That in the future there will ever be a -similar blockade is improbable; it will be one -of armed ships against armed ships, and the -only exception, if it can be called running a -blockade, will be that of armed merchant-ships -<a id='Page_170'></a>bringing food to England, which will be -required to meet cruisers on the open sea, and -not to run in and out of a blockaded port.</p> - -<p class='c006'>I will now take up the three points of speed, -quick-firing guns, and search-lights.</p> - -<p class='c006'>To begin with search-lights: on first thoughts -the search-light would appear to be a formidable -weapon in the hands of the blockader; -but on consideration I don't think it is so, -excepting perhaps in the case of a runner -being chased at night, or into the night, by -a cruiser of equal or superior speed which -could, by means of her search-light, keep -her quarry under observation, and, if within -range, perhaps speedily sink her. In the -dash through an inside squadron lying off a -port this would not apply. True, it would -be very uncomfortable for the blockade-runner -to find herself within the sphere of a dozen -search-lights all around her, but it would be -equally uncomfortable for the ships exhibiting -those lights were they within range of the -protecting fort, as they would most probably -immediately be plugged by its guns. Moreover, -a fort supplied with search-lights could -<a id='Page_171'></a>be constantly flashing them over the area -comprised within the range of its guns, and -this would tend to force a blockading fleet -to keep at a more respectable distance and so -widen out and render the passage between -its lines more easy for the blockade-runner.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The introduction of the search-light therefore -appears to me to be in favour of the -runner. I assume that the light is in use at -the port from which the runner starts and is -protected by guns. As most likely it will be -at fixed points, and as there can be no object -for secrecy in its use, it can be flashed from -time to time irregularly so as to show whether -the vicinity of the port is clear of hostile -cruisers or not. No cruiser will care to come -within range of the light; consequently the -runner will have the advantage of seeing his -road is clear before him when he starts, and -the further out the cruisers are, the further -apart, given equal numbers, must they be.</p> - -<p class='c006'>On the other hand, the blockader wishes -to keep his position dark and will not use his -light for fear of being seen; so it is useless -to him. Again, a light on the Mound at Fort -<a id='Page_172'></a>Fisher would have been invaluable to us; the -light thrown up into the air would have been -of no use to the blockader, while to us it would -have fixed the position and enabled us to run -in with confidence. For my part, if in command -of a blockader, unless it was to call -friends to my assistance, I would prefer not -to use the light.</p> - -<p class='c006'>The present condition of affairs with regard -to quick-firing guns and the armament of -modern war-vessels, in my opinion, would -be distinctly in favour of the blockader. -Seeing how many more of this description -of gun are carried by our modern ships -compared with the slow-firing old-fashioned -guns of thirty years ago, to say nothing of -their increased range and accuracy, I fear a -blockade-runner would stand a poor chance if -she allowed herself to come within the range -of the guns of a cruiser so armed, at all events -in daylight. Of course at night, and if she -were within the range of the guns of a protecting -fort, her chances would be more -equally balanced; as the fort would be -supplied with similar guns to those of her -<a id='Page_173'></a>assailants, and would doubtless use them with -effect. I am of the opinion, therefore, that -the modern gun is distinctly in favour of the -blockader as compared with the runner. The -report of the quick-firing gun is much sharper -and the flash much more brilliant than that of -the old-fashioned gun; and this constitutes an -additional element in favour of the blockader, -for the report and flash, being heard and seen -at a greater distance, would call any neighbouring -cruiser to the blockader's assistance.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Though the increase of speed attained by -modern ships affects both sides, the enormous -speed now developed by cruisers and torpedo -destroyers would seem at first sight to give -the blockading force a distinct advantage. -But if war-vessels have improved their speed -merchant-steamers have done the same; and, -as I have pointed out in previous chapters, -the blockade-runner has several points in her -favour by always being in good going condition -and on the alert, whereas the blockader cannot -always have steam handy or be ready for the -advent of the runner on the scene. If, however, -the maritime Power in question could -<a id='Page_174'></a>afford a large number of exceedingly fast -cruisers and torpedo catchers to be constantly -patrolling the seas adjacent to the blockaded -ports, and could keep those vessels supplied -with coals, I think the runner's chances of -success would be materially reduced under -the new regime. But could this be done, -seeing the difficulty there would be of -procuring coal and supplies from perhaps a -distant base? There is one factor resulting -from increased speed which certainly is in -favour of the runner; that is, in consequence -of her being at sea a shorter time while -making her hazardous passage, her risk is -diminished. And this is a material point. In -the olden days it was considered a fast passage -if the distance between Wilmington and -Nassau, which now could be traversed in -some thirty hours, was covered in fifty. On -the whole, therefore, increased speed is in -favour of the runner. Speed requires coal, -and a man who knows what he has to do can -economise coal to an extent unattainable by -the man whose movements are uncertain. He -can be either going full speed with clear fires, -<a id='Page_175'></a>or be ready for it to a greater extent than a -man who is waiting until his speed is required. -As probably in the future there will not be -short runs from shallow ports, the runner can -be of a size equal to, if not greater than, the -blockader; consequently, unless in smooth -water, more likely to attain greater speed.</p> - -<p class='c006'>A point of great importance, which should -not be overlooked, is the effect of national -character. In the American war, with the -exception of one or two Danes, all the officers -and crews of the runners were either British -or Southerners. It is a question whether any -other European State would show sufficient -spirit of enterprise to carry a blockade on a -large scale to a successful issue. What is -wanted in blockade-runners is not only capable -leaders, but a large number of people who will -trust each other and their leaders.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Hitherto I have only considered the -question of evading a superior force outside, -and of being prepared to run and not to fight -unless necessary. A fleet, if going to sea, -ought to go by day and fight its way out. A -squadron of cruisers, on the other hand, may -<a id='Page_176'></a>find it advisable to slip out night by night -and meet at a given distant rendezvous, at -the same time being prepared to act on their -own individual account if necessary; <i>i.e.</i> if -they find that the chance of the original plan -cannot be carried out. Ships of the line of -battle cannot do this. They must in all -probability fight together or fail, as their not -being able to come out without fighting shows -that there is a fleet of battle ships outside. If -equal powers are inside and out, I do not -think that any blockade can be made effective; -the chances of breaking a modern blockade -compared with those which existed in the -sixties are much the same, provided the runner -has the proper tools to work with, in the shape -of speedy and seaworthy steamers commanded -and manned by determined and cautious men.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <a id='Page_177'></a> - <h2 class='c004'>INDEX</h2> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-l c011'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Abaco lighthouse, <a href='#Page_83'>83</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>Alabama</i>, the, <a href='#Page_7'>7</a>, <a href='#Page_8'>8</a>, <a href='#Page_78'>78</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>American Civil War, outbreak of, <a href='#Page_1'>1</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Arab horse, an, <a href='#Page_97'>97</a>, <a href='#Page_98'>98</a>, <a href='#Page_99'>99</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>Astoria</i>, the, <a href='#Page_30'>30</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Avery, Mrs., <a href='#Page_159'>159</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Azores, gale off the, <a href='#Page_20'>20</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line c003'>Bahamas, the, <a href='#Page_24'>24</a>, <a href='#Page_27'>27</a>, <a href='#Page_39'>39</a>, <a href='#Page_48'>48</a>, <a href='#Page_82'>82</a>, <a href='#Page_169'>169</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>Banshee</i>, the, <a href='#Page_33'>33</a>, <a href='#Page_35'>35</a>, <a href='#Page_36'>36</a>, <a href='#Page_38'>38</a>, <a href='#Page_39'>39</a>, <a href='#Page_40'>40</a>, <a href='#Page_41'>41</a>, <a href='#Page_43'>43</a>, <a href='#Page_47'>47</a>, <a href='#Page_48'>48</a>,</div> - <div class='line in2'><a href='#Page_51'>51</a>, <a href='#Page_59'>59</a>, <a href='#Page_64'>64</a>, <a href='#Page_67'>67</a>, <a href='#Page_68'>68</a>, <a href='#Page_69'>69</a>, <a href='#Page_70'>70</a>, <a href='#Page_73'>73</a>, <a href='#Page_84'>84</a>, <a href='#Page_93'>93</a>, <a href='#Page_114'>114</a>, <a href='#Page_115'>115</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>breakdown of, <a href='#Page_71'>71</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>capture of, <a href='#Page_85'>85</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>crew of, <a href='#Page_34'>34</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>defects of, <a href='#Page_35'>35</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>engines of, <a href='#Page_47'>47</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>fire on, <a href='#Page_76'>76</a>, <a href='#Page_77'>77</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>open house on, <a href='#Page_65'>65</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>precautions on, <a href='#Page_50'>50</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>total loss of, <a href='#Page_85'>85</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>Banshee</i> No. 2, the, <a href='#Page_85'>85</a>, <a href='#Page_98'>98</a>, <a href='#Page_99'>99</a>, <a href='#Page_100'>100</a>, <a href='#Page_101'>101</a>, <a href='#Page_124'>124</a>, <a href='#Page_137'>137</a>, <a href='#Page_139'>139</a>,</div> - <div class='line in2'><a href='#Page_141'>141</a>, <a href='#Page_143'>143</a>, <a href='#Page_148'>148</a>, <a href='#Page_150'>150</a>, <a href='#Page_151'>151</a>, <a href='#Page_157'>157</a>, <a href='#Page_160'>160</a>, <a href='#Page_161'>161</a>, <a href='#Page_163'>163</a>, <a href='#Page_164'>164</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Baton Rouge, <a href='#Page_159'>159</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Bayley, Mrs., <a href='#Page_88'>88</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Bermuda, <a href='#Page_24'>24</a>, <a href='#Page_39'>39</a>, <a href='#Page_115'>115</a>, <a href='#Page_117'>117</a>, <a href='#Page_129'>129</a>, <a href='#Page_169'>169</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Big Hill, the, <a href='#Page_53'>53</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Blockade, declaration, <a href='#Page_3'>3</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>experts, <a href='#Page_28'>28</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>lessons of the, <a href='#Page_167'>167</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Blockaders and blockade-runners, <a href='#Page_167'>167</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Blockade-running, excitement of, <a href='#Page_49'>49</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>profits of, <a href='#Page_10'>10</a>, <a href='#Page_69'>69</a>, <a href='#Page_85'>85</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>risks of, <a href='#Page_10'>10</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Blockades of the future, <a href='#Page_169'>169</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Blockading fleet, the, <a href='#Page_6'>6</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Bragg, General, <a href='#Page_163'>163</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Branchville, <a href='#Page_137'>137</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>British Government, attitude of, <a href='#Page_9'>9</a>, <a href='#Page_39'>39</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>British merchants, Southern sympathies of, <a href='#Page_38'>38</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Burgoyne, Captain Hugh, V.C., <a href='#Page_59'>59</a>, <a href='#Page_89'>89</a>, <a href='#Page_91'>91</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Burroughs, Pilot, <a href='#Page_43'>43</a>, <a href='#Page_51'>51</a>, <a href='#Page_52'>52</a>, <a href='#Page_53'>53</a>, <a href='#Page_75'>75</a>, <a href='#Page_117'>117</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Butler, General, <a href='#Page_133'>133</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line c003'>Cape Fear, <a href='#Page_49'>49</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Cape Fear Club, <a href='#Page_63'>63</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Cape Fear river, <a href='#Page_44'>44</a>, <a href='#Page_47'>47</a>, <a href='#Page_58'>58</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Cape Hatteras, <a href='#Page_4'>4</a>, <a href='#Page_85'>85</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Capper, Captain, <a href='#Page_101'>101</a>, <a href='#Page_102'>102</a>, <a href='#Page_108'>108</a>, <a href='#Page_109'>109</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>Captain</i>, H.M.S., <a href='#Page_59'>59</a>, <a href='#Page_89'>89</a>, <a href='#Page_91'>91</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Captures, <a href='#Page_12'>12</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Charleston, <a href='#Page_24'>24</a>, <a href='#Page_25'>25</a>, <a href='#Page_28'>28</a>, <a href='#Page_38'>38</a>, <a href='#Page_117'>117</a>, <a href='#Page_137'>137</a>, <a href='#Page_163'>163</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>ships blockading, <a href='#Page_6'>6</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>trade of, <a href='#Page_25'>25</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Chase, a weary, <a href='#Page_81'>81</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>City Point, <a href='#Page_58'>58</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Clawson, Mr. T. W., <a href='#Page_61'>61</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><a id='Page_178'></a>Collie and Co., Alexander, <a href='#Page_26'>26</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Commerce destroyers, <a href='#Page_7'>7</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Confederate fleet, the, <a href='#Page_6'>6</a>, <a href='#Page_7'>7</a>, <a href='#Page_8'>8</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>ports, <a href='#Page_11'>11</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>states, trade of, <a href='#Page_18'>18</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>Congress</i>, the, <a href='#Page_7'>7</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Craig's Landing, <a href='#Page_60'>60</a>, <a href='#Page_62'>62</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Crawford, Mr., <a href='#Page_146'>146</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Cuba, <a href='#Page_145'>145</a>, <a href='#Page_162'>162</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>Cumberland</i>, the, <a href='#Page_7'>7</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Curtis, General, <a href='#Page_57'>57</a>, <a href='#Page_61'>61</a>, <a href='#Page_62'>62</a>, <a href='#Page_63'>63</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line c003'>Danville, <a href='#Page_135'>135</a>, <a href='#Page_140'>140</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Davis, Mr. Jefferson, <a href='#Page_97'>97</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Deserter, execution of a, <a href='#Page_159'>159</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>Despatch</i>, the, <a href='#Page_17'>17</a>, <a href='#Page_30'>30</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>breakdown of, <a href='#Page_19'>19</a>, <a href='#Page_20'>20</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>cargo on, <a href='#Page_17'>17</a>, <a href='#Page_19'>19</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>condemned, <a href='#Page_28'>28</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>in quarantine, <a href='#Page_30'>30</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>reaches Nassau, <a href='#Page_20'>20</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>release of, <a href='#Page_32'>32</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>seizure of, <a href='#Page_31'>31</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>start of, <a href='#Page_19'>19</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>yellow fever on board, <a href='#Page_30'>30</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Dinner bill, a, <a href='#Page_139'>139</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Dixie, <a href='#Page_58'>58</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Doering, Mr. Arthur, <a href='#Page_88'>88</a>, <a href='#Page_89'>89</a>, <a href='#Page_94'>94</a>, <a href='#Page_96'>96</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>Don</i>, the, <a href='#Page_90'>90</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line c003'>Erskine, chief engineer, <a href='#Page_42'>42</a>, <a href='#Page_77'>77</a>, <a href='#Page_78'>78</a>, <a href='#Page_81'>81</a>, <a href='#Page_82'>82</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>Eugénie</i>, the, <a href='#Page_76'>76</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line c003'><i>Falcon</i>, the, <a href='#Page_124'>124</a>, <a href='#Page_128'>128</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Farragut, Admiral, <a href='#Page_8'>8</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Fastnet, the, <a href='#Page_35'>35</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Federal Navy, inadequacy of the, <a href='#Page_8'>8</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>Florida</i>, the, <a href='#Page_7'>7</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Fort Caswell, <a href='#Page_111'>111</a>, <a href='#Page_112'>112</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Fort Fisher, <a href='#Page_46'>46</a>, <a href='#Page_48'>48</a>, <a href='#Page_53'>53</a>, <a href='#Page_54'>54</a>, <a href='#Page_55'>55</a>, <a href='#Page_56'>56</a>, <a href='#Page_57'>57</a>, <a href='#Page_58'>58</a>, <a href='#Page_60'>60</a>, <a href='#Page_61'>61</a>,</div> - <div class='line in2'><a href='#Page_67'>67</a>, <a href='#Page_73'>73</a>, <a href='#Page_99'>99</a>, <a href='#Page_103'>103</a>, <a href='#Page_113'>113</a>, <a href='#Page_114'>114</a>, <a href='#Page_116'>116</a>, <a href='#Page_140'>140</a>, <a href='#Page_141'>141</a>, <a href='#Page_163'>163</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Fort Lafayette, <a href='#Page_85'>85</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Fraser, Trenholm and Co., <a href='#Page_26'>26</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Freight charges, <a href='#Page_18'>18</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Funchal Bay, <a href='#Page_38'>38</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line c003'>Galveston, <a href='#Page_25'>25</a>, <a href='#Page_44'>44</a>, <a href='#Page_111'>111</a>, <a href='#Page_148'>148</a>, <a href='#Page_150'>150</a>, <a href='#Page_151'>151</a>,</div> - <div class='line in2'><a href='#Page_152'>152</a>, <a href='#Page_153'>153</a>, <a href='#Page_157'>157</a>, <a href='#Page_159'>159</a>, <a href='#Page_160'>160</a>, <a href='#Page_163'>163</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Galveston Bay, <a href='#Page_157'>157</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Game-cock, a, <a href='#Page_100'>100</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Georgia, <a href='#Page_137'>137</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>Georgia</i>, the, <a href='#Page_7'>7</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Grace Church, <a href='#Page_57'>57</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>Great Eastern</i>, the, <a href='#Page_59'>59</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Greenough or Greenhow, Mrs. Rose, <a href='#Page_60'>60</a>, <a href='#Page_128'>128</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Gulf-stream, action of the, <a href='#Page_169'>169</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line c003'>Halifax, <a href='#Page_115'>115</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Halpin, Captain, <a href='#Page_59'>59</a>, <a href='#Page_76'>76</a>, <a href='#Page_77'>77</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Hamilton, <a href='#Page_116'>116</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Hampton Roads, <a href='#Page_7'>7</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Harper, Captain John, <a href='#Page_63'>63</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Harper's Ferry, <a href='#Page_57'>57</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Havana, <a href='#Page_25'>25</a>, <a href='#Page_145'>145</a>, <a href='#Page_146'>146</a>, <a href='#Page_148'>148</a>, <a href='#Page_149'>149</a>, <a href='#Page_154'>154</a>, <a href='#Page_162'>162</a>, <a href='#Page_164'>164</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Heiliger, Mr., <a href='#Page_97'>97</a>, <a href='#Page_133'>133</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Hewett, Captain, afterwards Admiral, V.C., <a href='#Page_59'>59</a>, <a href='#Page_89'>89</a>, <a href='#Page_91'>91</a>, <a href='#Page_124'>124</a>, <a href='#Page_125'>125</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Hicks Pasha, <a href='#Page_89'>89</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Hobart Pasha, <a href='#Page_59'>59</a>, <a href='#Page_89'>89</a>, <a href='#Page_90'>90</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>Mrs., <a href='#Page_87'>87</a>, <a href='#Page_89'>89</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Hoke, General, <a href='#Page_134'>134</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Holcombe, Professor, <a href='#Page_60'>60</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Houston, <a href='#Page_158'>158</a>, <a href='#Page_159'>159</a>, <a href='#Page_160'>160</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Hurst, Mr. Frank, <a href='#Page_88'>88</a>, <a href='#Page_90'>90</a>, <a href='#Page_115'>115</a>, <a href='#Page_148'>148</a>, <a href='#Page_154'>154</a>, <a href='#Page_158'>158</a>, <a href='#Page_161'>161</a>, <a href='#Page_165'>165</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line c003'>Infernal machine, an, <a href='#Page_129'>129</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>International Exhibition, the, <a href='#Page_9'>9</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Irishman, a resourceful, <a href='#Page_121'>121</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line c003'>James <i>Adger</i>, the, <a href='#Page_78'>78</a>, <a href='#Page_80'>80</a>, <a href='#Page_84'>84</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>James river, the, <a href='#Page_135'>135</a>, <a href='#Page_136'>136</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>John Brown raid, the, <a href='#Page_57'>57</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Joint Stock Companies, establishment of, <a href='#Page_93'>93</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line c003'>Lafitte, Mr. J. B., <a href='#Page_26'>26</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><a id='Page_179'></a>Lamb, Col. William, <a href='#Page_55'>55</a>, <a href='#Page_56'>56</a>, <a href='#Page_57'>57</a>, <a href='#Page_61'>61</a>, <a href='#Page_62'>62</a>, <a href='#Page_63'>63</a>,</div> - <div class='line in2'><a href='#Page_67'>67</a>, <a href='#Page_75'>75</a>, <a href='#Page_99'>99</a>, <a href='#Page_104'>104</a>, <a href='#Page_118'>118</a>, <a href='#Page_125'>125</a>, <a href='#Page_137'>137</a>, <a href='#Page_163'>163</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>Mrs., <a href='#Page_56'>56</a>, <a href='#Page_57'>57</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Lawley, Hon. Francis, <a href='#Page_59'>59</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Lee, General, <a href='#Page_135'>135</a>, <a href='#Page_137'>137</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>army of, <a href='#Page_137'>137</a>, <a href='#Page_139'>139</a>, <a href='#Page_163'>163</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Lincoln, President, <a href='#Page_2'>2</a>, <a href='#Page_3'>3</a>, <a href='#Page_8'>8</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Liquidation, a disastrous, <a href='#Page_164'>164</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Liverpool, <a href='#Page_33'>33</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>confederate vessel in, <a href='#Page_17'>17</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>feeling in, <a href='#Page_3'>3</a>, <a href='#Page_10'>10</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Loading, reckless, <a href='#Page_66'>66</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Look-out man, pay of the, <a href='#Page_48'>48</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line c003'>Madeira, <a href='#Page_36'>36</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Maffitt, Captain, <a href='#Page_42'>42</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Magruder, General, <a href='#Page_157'>157</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>May, Mr., <a href='#Page_126'>126</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>Merrimac</i>, the, <a href='#Page_7'>7</a>, <a href='#Page_8'>8</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Mexico, Gulf of, <a href='#Page_149'>149</a>, <a href='#Page_162'>162</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>Minnesota</i>, the, <a href='#Page_67'>67</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Mississippi, the, <a href='#Page_159'>159</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Mobile, <a href='#Page_7'>7</a>, <a href='#Page_8'>8</a>, <a href='#Page_25'>25</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>Monitor</i>, the, <a href='#Page_7'>7</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Murray-Aynsley, Admiral, <a href='#Page_59'>59</a>, <a href='#Page_79'>79</a>, <a href='#Page_81'>81</a>, <a href='#Page_83'>83</a>, <a href='#Page_90'>90</a>, <a href='#Page_92'>92</a>, <a href='#Page_165'>165</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>Mrs., <a href='#Page_87'>87</a>, <a href='#Page_89'>89</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line c003'>Nassau, <a href='#Page_20'>20</a>, <a href='#Page_22'>22</a>, <a href='#Page_23'>23</a>, <a href='#Page_24'>24</a>, <a href='#Page_27'>27</a>, <a href='#Page_38'>38</a>, <a href='#Page_39'>39</a>, <a href='#Page_40'>40</a>, <a href='#Page_43'>43</a>, <a href='#Page_44'>44</a>, <a href='#Page_47'>47</a>,</div> - <div class='line in2'><a href='#Page_69'>69</a>, <a href='#Page_80'>80</a>, <a href='#Page_82'>82</a>, <a href='#Page_101'>101</a>, <a href='#Page_109'>109</a>, <a href='#Page_114'>114</a>, <a href='#Page_115'>115</a>, <a href='#Page_129'>129</a>, <a href='#Page_131'>131</a>, <a href='#Page_133'>133</a>, <a href='#Page_140'>140</a>,</div> - <div class='line in2'><a href='#Page_141'>141</a>, <a href='#Page_145'>145</a>, <a href='#Page_146'>146</a>, <a href='#Page_147'>147</a>, <a href='#Page_149'>149</a>, <a href='#Page_160'>160</a>, <a href='#Page_162'>162</a>, <a href='#Page_163'>163</a>, <a href='#Page_165'>165</a>, <a href='#Page_174'>174</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>agencies at, <a href='#Page_24'>24</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>freight charges at, <a href='#Page_18'>18</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>life at, <a href='#Page_86'>86</a>-<a href='#Page_100'>100</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>yellow fever at, <a href='#Page_96'>96</a>, <a href='#Page_97'>97</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>National character, <a href='#Page_175'>175</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>New Orleans, <a href='#Page_25'>25</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>New Providence, <a href='#Page_20'>20</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>New York, <a href='#Page_30'>30</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>Night Hawk</i>, the, <a href='#Page_59'>59</a>, <a href='#Page_116'>116</a>, <a href='#Page_117'>117</a>, <a href='#Page_118'>118</a>, <a href='#Page_126'>126</a>, <a href='#Page_162'>162</a>, <a href='#Page_164'>164</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>boarded by Northerners, <a href='#Page_120'>120</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>on fire, <a href='#Page_121'>121</a>, <a href='#Page_122'>122</a>, <a href='#Page_123'>123</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>Niphon</i>, the, <a href='#Page_74'>74</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Norfolk Navy Yard, <a href='#Page_5'>5</a>, <a href='#Page_7'>7</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Norfolk, surrender of, <a href='#Page_57'>57</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>North Breaker shoal, the, <a href='#Page_54'>54</a>, <a href='#Page_73'>73</a>, <a href='#Page_119'>119</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>North, policy of the, <a href='#Page_29'>29</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>"Norther," a, <a href='#Page_149'>149</a>, <a href='#Page_150'>150</a>, <a href='#Page_154'>154</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Northerners, energy of the, <a href='#Page_5'>5</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>fleet of the, <a href='#Page_5'>5</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>views of, as to belligerents, <a href='#Page_36'>36</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line c003'><i>Oreto</i>, the, <a href='#Page_42'>42</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Orton, <a href='#Page_58'>58</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line c003'>Paris, Congress at, <a href='#Page_4'>4</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Petersburg, <a href='#Page_133'>133</a>, <a href='#Page_135'>135</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Plimsoll Act, the, <a href='#Page_16'>16</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Port Royal, <a href='#Page_30'>30</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Porter's fleet, admiral, <a href='#Page_60'>60</a>, <a href='#Page_140'>140</a>, <a href='#Page_141'>141</a>, <a href='#Page_142'>142</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Portman, Mr. Maurice, <a href='#Page_89'>89</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Potomac river, <a href='#Page_4'>4</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Power, Mr. Tom, <a href='#Page_64'>64</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Providence, <a href='#Page_57'>57</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line c003'>Quarantine, <a href='#Page_97'>97</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Queenstown, <a href='#Page_20'>20</a>, <a href='#Page_35'>35</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Quick-firing guns, <a href='#Page_172'>172</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line c003'>Race, a ding-dong, <a href='#Page_79'>79</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Randolph, General, <a href='#Page_142'>142</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>Mrs., <a href='#Page_143'>143</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>Rappahanock</i>, the, <a href='#Page_8'>8</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Rhode Island, <a href='#Page_57'>57</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Richmond, <a href='#Page_44'>44</a>, <a href='#Page_98'>98</a>, <a href='#Page_128'>128</a>, <a href='#Page_131'>131</a>, <a href='#Page_132'>132</a>, <a href='#Page_133'>133</a>, <a href='#Page_134'>134</a>, <a href='#Page_135'>135</a>, <a href='#Page_136'>136</a>, <a href='#Page_137'>137</a>, <a href='#Page_140'>140</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>privations in, <a href='#Page_138'>138</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Rio Grande, the, <a href='#Page_4'>4</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>"Roberts," Captain, <a href='#Page_59'>59</a>, <a href='#Page_90'>90</a>, <a href='#Page_91'>91</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Royal Proclamation, reception of a, <a href='#Page_9'>9</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line c003'>St. John, <a href='#Page_32'>32</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Savannah, <a href='#Page_42'>42</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Search-lights, <a href='#Page_170'>170</a>, <a href='#Page_171'>171</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Seceding States, seaboard of, <a href='#Page_4'>4</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>Shenandoah</i>, the, <a href='#Page_7'>7</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Sherman, General, <a href='#Page_137'>137</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Smith's Inlet, <a href='#Page_118'>118</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Smith's Island, <a href='#Page_45'>45</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Somnambulism, <a href='#Page_20'>20</a>, <a href='#Page_21'>21</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><a id='Page_180'></a>South, acknowledgment of the, as belligerents, <a href='#Page_3'>3</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>partisan leaning towards, <a href='#Page_12'>12</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>Southern Historical Papers</i>, extract from, <a href='#Page_57'>57</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Southern Ports, blockade of the, <a href='#Page_3'>3</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>cargo suitable for, <a href='#Page_18'>18</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>States, secession of, <a href='#Page_2'>2</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>traders, <a href='#Page_26'>26</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Southerners, Navy of the, <a href='#Page_6'>6</a>, <a href='#Page_7'>7</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Speed of vessels, <a href='#Page_173'>173</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Stanton, Mr. Secretary, <a href='#Page_58'>58</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Steele, Captain, <a href='#Page_41'>41</a>, <a href='#Page_42'>42</a>, <a href='#Page_51'>51</a>, <a href='#Page_52'>52</a>, <a href='#Page_53'>53</a>, <a href='#Page_67'>67</a>, <a href='#Page_76'>76</a>,</div> - <div class='line in2'><a href='#Page_78'>78</a>, <a href='#Page_79'>79</a>, <a href='#Page_82'>82</a>, <a href='#Page_85'>85</a>, <a href='#Page_89'>89</a>, <a href='#Page_109'>109</a>, <a href='#Page_113'>113</a>, <a href='#Page_152'>152</a>, <a href='#Page_154'>154</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>Stormy Petrel</i>, the, <a href='#Page_114'>114</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Stowaway, a, <a href='#Page_80'>80</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Suakim, Admiral Hewett, V.C., at, <a href='#Page_91'>91</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>Sumpter</i>, the, <a href='#Page_8'>8</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line c003'><i>Tallahasse</i>, the, <a href='#Page_8'>8</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Taylor, Mr. Tom, <a href='#Page_59'>59</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Tennessee, <a href='#Page_137'>137</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>Tennessee</i>, the, <a href='#Page_8'>8</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Texas, <a href='#Page_158'>158</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>Trent</i> affair, the, <a href='#Page_13'>13</a>, <a href='#Page_39'>39</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>Trent</i>, the, <a href='#Page_13'>13</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Tripod, the, <a href='#Page_161'>161</a>, <a href='#Page_162'>162</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>Tristram Shandy</i>, the, <a href='#Page_94'>94</a>, <a href='#Page_95'>95</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>Tubal Cain</i>, the, <a href='#Page_42'>42</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line c003'>United States, fleet of the, <a href='#Page_4'>4</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>Mercantile Navy of the, <a href='#Page_8'>8</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line c003'><i>Venus</i>, the, <a href='#Page_92'>92</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Virginia, <a href='#Page_140'>140</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Vizitelly, Mr. Frank, <a href='#Page_59'>59</a>, <a href='#Page_89'>89</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line c003'>War, end of the, <a href='#Page_163'>163</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Washington, <a href='#Page_58'>58</a>, <a href='#Page_85'>85</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Watson, Mr. L. G., <a href='#Page_26'>26</a>, <a href='#Page_89'>89</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Whiting, General, <a href='#Page_60'>60</a>, <a href='#Page_62'>62</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Whitworth guns, Colonel Lamb's, <a href='#Page_56'>56</a>, <a href='#Page_137'>137</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>Wild Dayrell</i>, the, <a href='#Page_111'>111</a>, <a href='#Page_114'>114</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>loss of, <a href='#Page_113'>113</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>Wild Rover</i>, the, <a href='#Page_114'>114</a>, <a href='#Page_141'>141</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Wilkes, Captain, afterwards Admiral, <a href='#Page_13'>13</a>, <a href='#Page_14'>14</a>, <a href='#Page_39'>39</a>, <a href='#Page_40'>40</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>Will-o'-the-wisp</i>, the, <a href='#Page_101'>101</a>, <a href='#Page_114'>114</a>, <a href='#Page_144'>144</a>, <a href='#Page_151'>151</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>ashore, <a href='#Page_105'>105</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>destruction of, <a href='#Page_111'>111</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>on fire, <a href='#Page_106'>106</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>sale of, <a href='#Page_110'>110</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Wilmington, <a href='#Page_24'>24</a>, <a href='#Page_25'>25</a>, <a href='#Page_38'>38</a>, <a href='#Page_43'>43</a>, <a href='#Page_44'>44</a>, <a href='#Page_45'>45</a>, <a href='#Page_47'>47</a>, <a href='#Page_58'>58</a>,</div> - <div class='line in2'><a href='#Page_64'>64</a>, <a href='#Page_66'>66</a>, <a href='#Page_80'>80</a>, <a href='#Page_83'>83</a>, <a href='#Page_92'>92</a>, <a href='#Page_95'>95</a>, <a href='#Page_102'>102</a>, <a href='#Page_106'>106</a>, <a href='#Page_115'>115</a>,</div> - <div class='line in2'><a href='#Page_117'>117</a>, <a href='#Page_125'>125</a>, <a href='#Page_127'>127</a>, <a href='#Page_128'>128</a>, <a href='#Page_131'>131</a>, <a href='#Page_132'>132</a>, <a href='#Page_137'>137</a>, <a href='#Page_139'>139</a>,</div> - <div class='line in2'><a href='#Page_140'>140</a>, <a href='#Page_142'>142</a>, <a href='#Page_145'>145</a>, <a href='#Page_148'>148</a>, <a href='#Page_149'>149</a>, <a href='#Page_157'>157</a>, <a href='#Page_163'>163</a>, <a href='#Page_174'>174</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>ships blockading, <a href='#Page_6'>6</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>ship-building at, <a href='#Page_8'>8</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>trade of, <a href='#Page_25'>25</a></div> - <div class='line in2'>yellow fever at, <a href='#Page_96'>96</a>, <a href='#Page_97'>97</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Wilmington Bar, <a href='#Page_46'>46</a>, <a href='#Page_118'>118</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>Wilmington</i>, the, <a href='#Page_63'>63</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>Wilmington Messenger</i>, extract from the, <a href='#Page_61'>61</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Wood, Mr. Henry, <a href='#Page_63'>63</a></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line c003'>Yellow Fever, <a href='#Page_96'>96</a></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div class='c013'>THE END</div> - <div class='c003'><i>Printed by</i> <span class='sc'>R. & R. Clark, Limited</span>, <i>Edinburgh</i></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div id='at' class='figcenter id008'> -<span class='pageno' title='181' id='Page_181'></span> -<img src='images/i217.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic001'> -<p>Map of the East Coast of North America</p> -</div> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c000'> - <div><b><span class='large'>TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE</span></b></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>The cover image was created by the transcriber and is -placed in the public domain.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Punctuation has been normalized.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Variations in spelling and hyphenation were -maintained.</p> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Running the Blockade, by Thomas E. 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