The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-12-15
+, Highly Interesting "reminiscences Of This
Monarch Of Daring Blockade Runners.
FOR TWENTY-FIVE YEARS A FUGITIVE.
Naval Heroes Who We're In Command
Of Coliie's ships-Isis Career I'm
erous Treatment of our Towns
zan, Col. VIM. Lamb.
(Richmond Dispatch.)

Alexander Collie, OF Manchester and
London, Eng, though, as his name In
dicateS, he WAS q genuine Scotchnan.
In the former city there still remains
an Immense warehouse, on the. front of
which is chiselled on II large granite
block the name OF the celebrated firm,
Alexander Collie & Co."
For nearly twenty-five years Alex
ander Collie had been Il fugitive, and
had concealed his identity under the
name OF George Mcneil. which he took
from the maternal branch of his family.
He was only known to 81 few New York
people who respected his desire to re-
main unknown. and but for an accident
he would have been buried in Potter's
field. He was discovered however. on
his death-bcd by the son of Confede-
rate officer, whose, friend Alexander
Collie had been, and was given decent
intermeTt.
During the civil war Wilmington. N.
c. was noted for its blockade runners,
and famous Fort Fisher, commanded
by Col. William Lamb, OF Norfolk. Va,
was the favorite gateway into the Cape
Fear river. Among the English houses
who were engaged i'll blockade run
ming, and one that owned by far the
largest fleet of splendid boats was that
of Alexander Collie d Co, the reputa-
ton and high commercial standing of
whom were worldwide. Their steamers
were of the finest. each subsequent one
surprising the former III size, speed and
general 0uapla DIZZY LOT tHe DulpOSe ol
Guiding United States cruisers.
NAVAL HEROES.
They engaged the service of The best
naval officers that could be obtained.
Among them was Hewitt, a Victoria
Cross man. who afterwards commands
cd the Queens yacht, was Ambossa-
dor to Abyssnia, and died recently an
admiral In tho navy Murray, VINO was
most successful and fearless. whose real
= 4 ~ ~ ~
after rapid promotions. is now a re-
tired admiral: Burgoync, who unfortu-
nately was lost while in command OF the
British ironclad Captain. some years
ago. in the Bay OF Biscay, and Roberts,
who was second son OF the Earl OF
BuckinEhamshire. and who died few
years ago, as Hobart Pasha,' in COM
mand OF the Turkish navy. These were
the class of officers In the service OF this
Immensely wealthy firm
Alexander Collie's home. in England,
was one OF prinCcly hospitality, as
pecIally to the officials and friends of
the Confederacy, and he often mad as
his guests eX-United States Senator
j. NJ. Mason, the Confederate Commits
Sioncr to England. and Mr.. Slidell, Com
missioner to France.
In Wilmington. the firm leased one of
the most elegant Southern homes, and
Il brother. William Collie. who resided
there at the time. dispensed with lavish
hands q like hospitality
Many OF the steamers of this firm
were saved by the guns OF Fort Fisher;
and in some cases, where the vessels
were lost. as in the case of the Venus,
Condor and others. the careocs were
saved by the garrison of that fort
TIMELY GENEROSITY.
When Fort Fisher fell Che 18TH of
January, 1869 ut the second attack Of
the Federals uhe first under Butler and
Porter having fniied)., its Confederate
commander was desperately wounded.
and supposed to be dying. After the
general surrender he was removed to
the North, where he received from an
anonymous source, through New York
banking house, credit of el00 with
the information that when that was
used u draft for any needed amount
would he honored. This conduct on the
part of Alexander Collector ii was
from him the funds came to an officer
whom ne had a right TO suppose could
not again assist him, was marked
characteristic of himself and family,
for among the generous acts OF the
brother in Wilmington were many gifts
to the poor and needy wives and chill
dren of absent soldiers.
The further assistance rendered by
Collie was not needed by Colonel Liant,
because he was surrounded by friends,
and was in the luxurious home of his
lather-in-law; but when he was able to
return TO his Southern home. nj Norfolk,
Collie, finding 1t out, persuaded him 10
so into business, and sent him ship after
ship, through friends, which laid the
foundation OF the direct trade which
Norfolk now enjoys with Europe.
Following their successful spcculations
during the war. Alexander Collie & Co.
went into the c0ttor and cotton goods
trade. establishing branch houses in
many Of tho leading commercial oerircs
Of the world. including Egypt, Iidia
Australia, South America and this coun-
Try. and in an effort to corner cotton
goods in the market OF the world some
where in the later sixties or early
seventies he made the largest faIIulre
known in the history Of commerce. His
liabilities above his available assets
were io,000000 pounds, equivalent 10
$500 OG0, 600.
IN VIRGINIA
Alexander Collie. the head of the
house. who was held responsible for the
failure. had to fec from England. and
he was spirited away to the private
yacht of a friend. in which he sailed,
and landed in Barcelona. Spain. His
flight from England caused an immense
sensation, and. though pursued by creGi-
tors and detectives. he successfully
eluded them. From Spain he went iii
rect to South America. and soon after
wards rcappeared at the Greenbriar
White Sulphur Springs. where he WAS
introduced To your correspondent b. the
late John Elder as travelling afna-
teur artist, Mr.. George Mcneil lie
was recognized there by Mr.. George
1'eterkin Grant. II wealthy Englishman.