The sun. (Wilmington, Del.) 1897-19??, 1898-05-15
BLOCKADE RUNNERS
Adventures of Those Who Bring
Supplies to the BeIeaguered.
|" "reminiscences OF Former
Wars

The blockade of the Spanish ports in
Cuba by United States vessels OF war is
probably the most quickly effective and
efficient in the history of naval warfare.
With the swiftest and best-eunipped OF
modern fighting machines at our com
mand even though smaller in number
than they ought to be, we have been abe
to strike more serious blow at the com
merce of the enemy in few days than
was possible in many months in previous
wars.
An extensive blockade usually brings
with it the hazardous, but sometimes
highly profitable, form of enterprise
known as blockade running, but it is
doubtful whether much, if any, will be
seen in the present war in view of the
efficiency of Admiral Simpsons fleet
and the short time that the Spaniards in
Cuba will be able to hold out without
immense reinforcements from abroad,
such as obey are not likely to obtain.
The history of blockade-running is full
of stirring adventure. While it does not
involve bloodshed, as does privateering
or piracy, it has its own peculiar ex-
element. 1t is the excitement of the
hunted fox-of keeping out of the way
of evading discovery and capture, and of
landing cargo which may prove a gold
mine to its owners.
Blockades in order to be valid must be
effective. This rule is more rigdlv con-
strued by some nations than by others,
and when no, effective gives the block
ade runners their coveted opportunity.
Riga was blockaded by England dur
ing the Crmean war, at a distance OF
40 miles Napoeon's Berlin decree Of
1906 declared the entire British Islands
in Il state OF blockade, but he found it
quite another thing TO enforce what he
proclaimed even though he coerced most
Of the countries of Europe into joining
him III his efforts.
His plan was to shut England out
from all connection with The continent
of Europe. Al merchandise belonging
to an Enlishnan becaue a lawful prize,
and all trade in English goods was f,r-
hidden. England relaliated by pro-
hibitng all neutral vessels from entering
any port belonging to France or her
allies, and ali such ports were treated as
If blockaded.
Two other wars grew out OF these pro-
cecdings. Russia growing weary OF
Napoleon's plan, refused to adhere to it
any longer, and war between the two
was the result,
Engands drastic measures in regard
to the commerce OF neutrals 50 incensed
the United States that our war of 1872
was brought about, and a socalled, but
easily evaded, blockade OF nearly our
entire Atlantic coast was proclaimed by
the British Cabinet.
Doubtless the greatest and most mem
orable blockade in the annals of warfare
was that of the ports of the Southern
States by the Federal government, be-
ginning in April, 1861. 1t involved the
cl ,sing and patroling of 5000 miles of
coast, much OF it with an inland sea and
double line of shore.
In some cases it neCessitated riding ont
storms at anchor off Il lee shore, where
such action had been formerly considered
well nigh hopeless. Add to this the
fact that at the beginning OF the war the
United States navy existed almost in
name only, and we can readily under
stand why the blockade at first was in
effective and why blockc-running be-
came so popular.
In the beginning old, infirm, and even
condemned vessels were freely used for
this purpose, as their capture involved
no serious loss, and the chances of their
getting into port were fair, inasmuch as
the Federal government had but few |
faster boats with which to give chase:
but as the blockade became more and
more efficient the condition Of the
underwent CORE
spending change.
There were three blockading sqnadrons