Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-03-20


IN the Arctic and Ochotsk seas, far re-
moved from the ordinary channels of COM
merce, and in consequence of this awk-
ward circumstance l was engaged in acts
OF war until June %. | was ignorant of
the reverses suffered by the Confederates,
and the total Obllteratlon of the
government under which l acted.
l received the first intelligence Of
the downfall of the Confederate cause on
Aug. from the British bark Barracuda,
and desisted Immediately from further
acts OF war until 1 could communi-
cate with a European port and learn
II the intelligence were true.
could not have been sensible that
the tales told by American ships
were true, but merely upon the state
ment of British captain l diligently
sought for a precedent in law writers for
guidance in the future control, manage
ment and final disposal of the vessel, but
found none. Finding the authority ques-
tionahle under which l acted, l imme-
diately ceased cruising and shaped my
course for the Atlantic. did not feel
justified in destroying the vessel, but, on
the contrary, thought the ship should re-
vert tn the American government.
therefore sought Liverpool to learn the
news, and, il not without foundation, to
surrender the ship, with her gums, stores
and apparel complete, TO the British gov
eminent, for such disposition as it should
deem proper"
The English press took up the matter
with great warmth, and the question
whether Capt. Waddell and his crew
should be tried for the crime of piracy
was discussed in the leading papers. 1t
was the general opinion that as grave
charges had been brought against them, a
trial should be necessary either to liberate
or convict them, and that the trial should
take place in England before an English
jury. At the same time fears were eX-
pressed that the return Of the privateer
to the port whence she sailed on her de-
structive errand might involve the United
States and England in grave complica-
tlons. The British government seemed to
have acted with unusual promptness. APP
parently taking Captain WaddelPs state
ment as reliable, they gave immediate Or
ders for his release and that of bis crew
from arrest, for the reason that they could
find no legal grounds for their detention.
On the afternoon of the 6th, only two days
after the arrival of the shenandoah" in
the Mersey, Captain Paynter received or
ders from London to liberate such of her
crew as were not British subjects. 1t was
found on inquiring that there was no one
on board who claimed to be British sub
ject. anu the whole crew were allowed to
go ashore.
On Nov. 10 the Shenandoah was surren-
dered to to the American Consul at Liv-
erpool, who took immediate possession of
her and reported to his government for
orders. Mr.. Seward accepted the prize,
and put it down to Offset certain losses by
Anglo-Confederate vessels, for which he
seemed at that time in fair
way to get no other Naturalization. In
lnfr, J,.z kA CHI.
dispatch: 1--WE accept the vessel, but |
regret to say that the acceptance is not
attended. with any sense OF satisfaction
on the part Of this government. 1t would
have gratified the President if her
Majesty's government had caused pro-
ceedings to be instituted for the con-
demnation OF the Shenandoah. The
course, however, which the British gov
eminent has heretofore pursued in regard
to our applications for justice was such
as to discourage on our part an eXpecta-
ton OF such disposition Of the vessel.
We accept her now simply ana exclu-
sively upon the prudential consideration
that, being reduced into our possession,
she will not again depart from British
waters in hostile character"
On April %, 1866, the Shenandoah was
sold at public auction, in Liverpool, by Or
der Of the United States government. At
this time she was classed ID years Al at
Lloyd's, and was in splendid order for i'm
mediate employment. She was sold to
Matthew j. Wilson, merchant and ship
owner, of Liverpool. for the sum of e15,-
$50. Her stores and munitions Of war
were sold afterwards for a considerable
sum.
Capt. Waddell remained in Liverpool
for some time, and then went over to
Paris, where he took up his residence
with his wife, who went abroad to join
him.
After many months, upon the subsistence
of the war feeling, Capt. Waddell returned
here, and was made commander of the
steamship San Francisco, of the Pacific
mail line between the ports of Yokohama
and San Francisco. On one of his trips
his vessel struck on a rock not down on
the chart and sank. The Captain saved
the passengers and crew and landed
them on the neighbOring coast, from which
the whole of them were safely taken. The
highest board of inspectors in San Fran
cisco exonerated Capt. Waddell from all
blame.
Since then he has been engaged in civil
occupations. He was deeply interested
in the prosperity of his adopted city, An
napOlis, and took an active part in her
industrial enterprises. He was one OF
the originators OF the Annapolis gas CON-
pany and had been State director in the
Annapolis and Elkridge railroad. Two
years ago he was appointed commander
OF the Maryland oyster navy for two
years, which would have expired In May.
Capt. Waddell was seaman of remarka-
BILE qualities, bold, daring and original.
He was familiar with all the mechanical
details ofthe profession. he was brought
up under the old regime, when seaman
ship was considered one of the most in
dispensabls prerequisites OF an officer.
A Burmese Ambassadors Poverty.
Pnris Lair tO London Truth.