The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-11-17
BLOCKADE OF THE CONFEDERAGI
Its Effectiveness Prevented Success
of the Southern Cause.
From the Baltimore Herald.

of the Southern Cause.
From the Baltimore Herald.
The blockade OF the Southern Confed-
eracy, from 1861 to 1885, constitutes story
not familiar TO the average reader, but il
is, nevertheless, one full of historical inn
portance and thrilling romance.
Had 1t not been for the success Of the
blockade, thus completely isolating the
Confederacy from the markets OF the
world and effectually preventing her from
securing necessary supplies. 1t is question
able whether the national government
would have been able to maintain its su-
premacy and to bring the war for the
union TO a triumphant conclusion.
1t is, indeed. the contrary opinion OF
the statesmen Of that period that failure
of the blockade would have brought TO
the Richmond government that much-cov-
eted foreign recognition and consequent
active Intervention and aid, which would
have rendered exceedingly doubtful the
final triumph of the Northern arms. Sub
sequent developments have, In fact, shown
that European governments were awaiting
that very issue, thus attesting the wisdom
of President Lincoln In declaring a block
ade, and his insistence In making 1t eff
fective.
The first proclamation was issued on
April 10, 1861, declaring the coast TO be
blockaded from South Carolina to Texas,
and eight days later the order was made
to cover also the coasts of Virginia and
North Carolina
In an interesting and timely contribu-
ton 10 The October number of the Century
Magazine, Horatio l.. Wait, formerly pay
master In the United States navy, treats
comprehensively of the blackade thus pro-
claimed, and of the extraordinary incidents
connected herewith. The line of coast
blockaded was 3,5i9 miles in extent, and
the fact that the government had only
fofty-hve ships In commission when the
proclamation was issued well illustrates
the gravity, II not apparent hopelessness,
Of The undertaking. In the war of 1912
Great Britain had declared a blockade
against American ports, and though that
nation had over 100 vessels In commission
not one American city was thoroughly cut
off from communication with the outside
world u
The United States government was con-
fronted by many difficulties. 1t was known
that no paper blockade" would be re-
spected by Europe. European statesmen
derisively declared that such a blockade
possibility. The government was not only
sadly off for ships, but lacked men.
But the navy department proved equal
to the emergency. OF course, the abject
poverty Of the Confederacy in shipping
greatly simplfed the task. BY purchase,
charter and building new vessels fleet
of steam and saiboats, composed of war
ships merchantmen, steamboats,, ferry
boats and tugs, was organized IN marvel
- .sal. he ftr,ar.l lat
success of the blockade that in less than
a year the government of Great Britain
reluctantly, but candidly, admitted that 1t
was effectuaI, and British shipmasters
were instructed accordingly.
The work performed by the blockadinG
fleets their invaluable aid in Starving out"
the Confederacy, the romantic episodes In
cldent to blockade-running, and the thrill
ing adventures of both Northern and
Southern sailors-these are what Mr.. Kip
ling Would call another story" A.
Suffice II to say here that the vigilance
and vigor Of the blockade were such that
during the war the United States navy
captured or destroyed 1,504 blockade-run-
ners. and that the total value of the prizes
captured was 100000. Ii may be noted,
as a curious piece of information, that
Mr.. Wait mentions the steamer Memphis
as the most valuable prize that was taken,
she having brought $4,000, and as the
least valuable the sloop Alligator which
sold for $50 at auction.
The blockade of Southern ports was pro-
nounced by naval experts In Europe TO be
the most complete that had ever been es-
tablshed against an enemy's country. In
our late war with Spain that incredulous
nation also found out that the Americans
know how TO establish blockade that
really blockades.