Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-02

capture the vessels and bring their Of
ncers, ships papers. log-book. instru-
ments for navigation. and whaling charts
to the Shenandoah. After the boats left
the steamer the Confederate flag was
hoistcd aud a gnn fired. This signal,
announcing the character OF the warship.
brought down the American flags and the
seizure was Immediately made. Waddeli
remained some days In this harbor. where
he made friends with the native King"
a savage
thence for many days toward the north.
and beset with violent storms. Finally.
the snow-covered Kuril Islands were
sighted. and on May slst the Sea OF
Okhotsh was entered, under the coast OF
Kamschatka. A few days later the wha-
ling bark Abigail, of New Bedford, was
overtaken, captured, and burned. Inc
Shenandoah continued as far north as
} the mouth of Chijinsk Bay, but being
forced away by the ice. she stole along
tho coast of Siberia on her still n
amid frequent storms n great LANCER
from floating ice. On June 18th, no ships
having been sighted, Waddell changed
his course toward the Aleutian Islands
entered Boring Sea on the next day, ana
almost Immediately fell in with n couple
VI = q LltALOlA
the william Thompson, was he largest
out OF New England, and valued at Sto'
900. These ships were burned.
The following day five vessels were
| sighted near an Ice foe. The Confede-
rates hoisted the American flag, bore
down upon them, and ordered the nearest,
the Milo, Of New Bedford, 70 produce her
ships papers. Her captain complied, but
was enrage3 TO find himself thus en-
raped. lie declared the war was over.
Waddell demanded documentary evidence,
which the Captain could not produce.
His vessel was seized and the Shenan-
doah started after the companion ships
with the usual result. For several days
following the Shenandoah had Things all
her own way. and the prizes were FIRE.
ouent and valuable. She struck fleet at
ter fleet Of whaling ships, only 10 con-
sign them and their contents TO the
flames. on June 18th, alone, tive ships
valued collectively at $4,000, were de-
stroyed. and a day or two later she
reached the climax of her career, burning
within eleven hours eleven ships, worth
in the aggregate nearly &O,OcO.
The Shenandoah was now overcrOwded
with prisoners, most Of whom were af-
forwards transferred TO passing ships.
Having cruised around daringly for a
week or W longer, n sighting no more
ships. she turned her Prov southwark
again. Her depredations were at an end,
for early in August she spoke the Eng
lish bark Barriconta, from San Francisco,
to Liverpool, and from her received con-
elusive evidence Of the end Of the war
between the States. Commander Wad-
dell could not persuade himself L" enter
an American port. and for some time
aimlessly secured the seas. Later II
was determined TO seek an English port,
and on November 5, 1860, the Shenandoah
entered St. Georges channel, having sail
ed 300 miles without seeing land. on
November 9th she steamed up the Mer-
sey. and the Confederate flag having been
hauled down, Waddell sent a COMMUNE
cation to the English Minister Of Foreign
Affairs. Earl Russell, placing his ship at
the disposal Of the British Government.
Through Earl Russell the vessel was
transferred 10 the jurisdiction Of the
American Minister. Charles Francis
Adams. who caused her TO be conveyed
10 this country. TO be dismantled.
Such Is the record of the Shenandoah.
She was actually cruising for Union
property but eight months, and during
hat time she captured and destroyed
vessels to the value Of moro than sl,lOo,
OO0. and the Union had never been able
to direct a blow against her. she had
visited every ocean except the Antarctic,
covering a distance OF $500 statute miles.
The last gun In defence Of the South was
fred in the Arctic ocean from her deck
on July p. 1865.