The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-05-11

ployment in these enterprises. Others
were assigned TO the command OF cruis-
ers that preyed upon the commerce of
the enemy.
Capt. j. y. Maffit long associated with
our North Carolina people, in the sum
mer of 1862, raised the Confederate flag
on the Florida, and taking many prizes,
sent the rate of maritime insurance high
up In the figures The Nashville, the
Sumter and Tuscaloosa all had similar
careers.
Capt. Semmes. leaving Liverpool July
30. 1862, carried the Alabama into the
ocean highway between New England and
Old England, beginning the work of de-
struction off the coast of Newfoundland
and then sailing westward, daily de-
stroyed many vessels, until he had come
within two hundred miles of New York;
And later. off Galveston, on June 1st
1863 he engaged the United States gun
boat Hatteras, and after a fair battle
sunk her Soon after he swept the South
ern seas and passed into the Indian
ocean. interrupting Federal commerce
and touching the enemy at the tenderest
point-the pocket nerve. Eventually,
having returned to the English channel
in June. 1864 he accepted the chal
lenge of the Kearsarge off Cherbourg, and
thought to engage that vessel on equal
terms But the Kearsarge, with Yankee
ingenuity, had been protected by chain
armor, and being impervious to Confed-
crate shells, profited by the advantage.
The Alabama ended her career in the
historic waters of Dover straits.
The Tallahassee under Capt. John
Taylor Wood. one of the most gallant OF
Southern gentlemen left Wilmington in
August 1854 and went within sixty miles
of New York; and in a cruise of 10 days,
burnt IS vessels. scuttled 10. bonded 5
and released 2; and a few weeks later
the Chickamauga under Capt. John
Wilkinson, sailed from Wilmington and
proceeded to Long Island Sound making
many captures that again interrupted
Federal commerce. Indeed the operations
of these few cruisers sent most of the
American vessels to the protection of
foreign flags. and it was long before Am
erican commerce recovered from the
blow
Lieut. Waddell. who had been the ord
nance officer at the naval station at
Drewrys Bluff, was in 1864 sent abroad
to carry on the work OF distressing the
commerce of the enemy. Vessels carry
ing the United States flag had meas
urably disappeared from the Atlantic
ocean. But in the Pacific whaling fleet
was still to be found, and it was i'm
portant to destroy it. The Navy Depart
ment selected Lieut.. Waddell for that
service. His reputation as a seaman was
superb. and he enjoyed the entire conf
| dence Of the Department.
Capt Bullock, the representative OF
| the Confederate government in Europe.
had succeeded in purchasing the Sea
King vessel built for the East India
trade, and then on her maiden voyage.
She was commodious and well adapted to
carrying a large complement of men.
sailed we'll under canvass and had her
screw propeller so adjusted that when
not in use it could be raised out of the
| water.
In September, 1854 Flag Officer Bar
ron, at Paris. pursuant to instructions
| from the Department, gave to Lieut..
Waddell his particular directions. They
were to the effect that he should proceed
| to London and sail on the steamer
Laurel to the Island of Madeira. The
| Laurel had already on board a cargo
apparently of merchandise-but really OF
cannon and munitions of war. which had
| been invoced as machinery and other
| innocent goods and chattels
The difficulties that beset Confederate
operations abroad were almost insur-
| mountable, the British authorities being
vigilant to give no offense to the United
States.
The Sea King having been secretly pur-
chased. also set sail for Madeira.
On October 10Th the two vessels met
off Funchal, and, a preconcerted signal
being given, recognized each other, and
proceeded to an anchorage on the shores
of an uninhabited island some miles dis
| tant. where the transfer of stores was
rapidly made, and Lieut.. Waddell read
his commission, and raising the Confeder-
ate flag over the Sea King, christened her
the Shenandoah. The little nook in
which the vessels lay was we'll protected
and the sea was smooth. The day was
bright and lovely, and Lieut.. Waddell
was inspired by the suspicious circum-
stances with the confident hope of sue
,ess. In thirteen hours the consort had
discharged every conceivable outfit in
tended for the Shenandoah, and then re-
manned only to receive such passengers
is were to return.
Capt. Waddell has left some account OF
the cruise of the Shenandoah, from which
Il make some quotations: | now felt,
says Waddell that | had a good and fast
ship under my feet--but there was vast
-leal to be done, and to accomplish all
that crew was necessary.
In picking out the crews of the two
vessels in England particular efforts
were made to secure adventurous spirits
who might be induced to enlist on the
Shenandoah. No married man was
shipped, and none were taken except will
The hope that when the time came they
would take service under the Confederate
lag; but out of the So men present only
% were willing to adventure in such an
Undertaking. Waddells force was indeed
so weak that they could not weigh anchor
without the assistance of the officers
These were young Confederates who had
)een sent abroad for such service, the
irst lieutenant being William C. white
If Virginia. whose fine capacity rendered
lin of great assistance to Capt. Wad-
dell
Tho off