Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-11-24
RUNNING THE BLOCKADE.
Good wartime stories by an Old
G. =. A. Commander.
Galveston Daily News.)

Galveston Da1ly NeWSD
A reporter spent an evening recently
with Commander John c. Brain. who
graduated from the naval academy. and
rendered distinguished service IN the
Confederate States navy.
Blockade running" said he, lis a
science 1t is attended with great risks
ard dangers, but when properly studied
Il may be operated with absolute success
and comparative safety hear II SAID
In these times that blOckadeS cannot DO
run now on account OF the search light,
but ] can run a blockade now. L would
get search light, too. While IL is true
that the number Of vessels in a fleet Is
known 10 each in the Gordon. the location
and position Of each at all times Is not
known. and for that reason, the uncer-
tainty that would surround the identity
Of a blockade runner carrying a search
light would give her an advantage, and
an opportunity 10 reach point of safety
before she was discovered.
Enormous profits we're made during
the late war by blockade running by
both private parties and corporations.
The only ports OF the Confederacy for
running the blockade were Galveston,
Tex, Mobile, Ala, Charleston, S. c.,
and Wilmington, ". c. The latter was
the principal port. for the reason that IL
was more accessible. II having two chan
nels leading into the port-the new and
old inlets. The old inlet. being the south
ern entrance, was guarded by Fort Cas-
well and Fort Fisher. The new inlet
from the north was guarded only by
Fort Fisher and a small battery on
land. Both OF these inlets lead into Cape
Fear river. on which is situated the
city OF Wilmington, twelve miles from its
mouth. On the coast on each side Of the
inlet flying batteries OF artillery, COM
manded by Colonel Lamb, Confederate
States army. were kept patrolling the
shores az night time to protect any block
ade runner that might have to be run
ashore to keep her from falling into the
hands Of the enemy These batteries did
valuable services
Notwithstanding the Federal Govern
ment did all In Its power to effectualy
seal up or blockade this port, It having at
ono time nearly 200 vessels In the block
aiding squadron, in one night twelve ves-
sells forced the blockade successfully and
entered the port. Fourteen attempted TO
effect entrance, but two were captured.
These vessels were loaded with provis-
ions. medical stores, arms, and munitions
OF war for the Confederate Government
'The inducement for running the block
ade was the enormous value Of cotton, II
Z being bought in the Confederacy for Is
and 30 cents a pound In gold or its equiv
alent. and sold outside for $50 to 81. 80
per pound: consequently the profits were
enormous, even II the risks were great.
Most OF the blockade running was done
by corporations. Among the largest OF
these engaged In the business was the
Bee Company, of Charleston, s. c., who
owned the famous blockade runner Cy-
rene. She ran the blockade thirty-two
times In and out Of Charleston, s. c.
When Charleston was evacuated she was
lying at her wharf there, and her owners
burned her rather than allow her TO fall
into the hands OF the enemy. The Con-
federate Government owned several block
ade-running vessels to repIenish the sup
ply store, and also several States owned
blockade runners, among them Virginia
and North Carolina To give an idea how
quickly these ships were constructed an
order could be given to a shpbuilder on
the Mersey or Clyde for a ship costing
from $4,000 to $4,000 sterling, 100000 10
$4,000. These vessels were anchored In
the river ready for sea sixty days after
the contracts were signed. These vessels
were light draught, requiring not over .
feet OF water, and had a speed Of fifteen
to eighteen knots an hour. After compile
ton tne NeSScl was cleared from Liver
pool or the Clyde for the port OF Nassau
or ST. George. Bermuda. When she ar
rived in port her top hamper was taken
down and the blockade-running crew at
once shipped. The captain was paid the
enormous wages OF 5000 In gold and s. 900
In Confederate money. The pilot was
paid 5000 in gold. and the chief engineer
was paid the same; the first assistant,
5000; second. third. and fourth engineers.
1900 each per voyage. One voyage per
month was made, each being made in the
dark OF the moon. Seamen and fremen
were paid 500 a month. sl00 on signing
shipping articles. the balance on return
OF ship TO port. Officers were paid on
return Of ship to port. The leadsman was
paid 500 month His services were re-
quired only when the ship was coming
In or going out of port. The signal officer
was paid the same.
A LEADEN COLOR.
'srhe ship being fully prepared. having
been painted q leaden color, so As not