Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-25

obtained abroad was the Georgia. In
the latter part of 1852 Commander
Matthew F. Maury, who hoS acquired
great distinction as scientific man
while in the old navy, was sent to Eng
land partly to influence public opinion
in favor of the Confederacy, also with
a general authority to At out ships of
war. In March, 1863, he purchased the
Japan. a new iron screw steamer. She
was an excellent vessel, although built
for the merchant service, but she was
seriously defective as a commerce de-
stroyer, from the lack Of auxiliary sail
power, defect which Bulloch, In his
contracts and purchases, had uniformly
avoided.
The Japan cleared from Greenock the
LIST Of April. 1868, in ballast. as mer-
chant vessel, bound for the East Indies.
A shipping firm Of Liverpool was en-
ployed as the intermediary to cover all
the transactions. One member of the
firm was the ostensfble owner. and the
Japan was registered in his name as
British vessel, and remained so for
three months, though engaged during
this time in active hostilities against
the United States.
Another member of the firm shipped
the crew, and took charge of q small
steamer which cleared about the same
time with cargo OF guns and ammun1-
ton. The two vessels met off the coast
of France, the cargo was transferred.
the officers proceeded on board, and the
Confederate cruiser Georgia, though
still registered as the British steamer
Japan. started on her cruise. Her career
extended over a year, during which she
cruised in the Atlantic under Lieut.. Will
Nam L. Maury. During her cruise she
captured only eight vessels. her move
ments being restricted by her want of
X X
The operations of the Confederate
ho vim ho n E1yrn
were now under the principal direction
OF Commodore Samuel Barron, senior
officer at Paris Barron, having no fur
Their use for the Georgia. sent her to
Liverpool in May. 1854. to be disposed of
pool merchant, who took her under
bill of sale signed by Bullock. After the
transfer was completed, the ship was
chartered by the Portuguese government,
and she set out on her voyage to Lisbon.
At the instance of Mr.. Adams, the
Niagara, under Commodore Thomas T.
Craven. proceeded to Liverpool. and,
learning the proposed destination Of the
Georgia, took measures to intercept her.
Meeting her outside Of Lisbon, Craven
seized her and sent her in to Boston,
where she was condemned.
During the latter part of 1868, several
condemned dispatch boats belonging to
the royal navy were offered for sale;
one Of these. the Victor. was bought by
an agent of Commander Maury's. In
such cases 1t was usual to allow the
purchaser to put in the equipment Of the
vessel and overhaul her machinery at
the dock yard: but, whatever the prac-
tice may be, it is Of course necessary
that neutral government should take
care that 1t is not thereby instrumental
in turning over ship Of war to bellig-
erent.
The real ownership of the Victor was
M, .af,1 0nn lnI M
unwittingly. the dock yard officials were
experimenting her equipment.
X X
1t was intended that the Rappahan-
mock as the new cruiser was named,
should receive her battery from the
Georgia after she got to sea, but sus-
picion was aroused at the United States
legation, inquiries were set on foot,
winter the ship was hurried OF with the
WOrkmen still on board, and with only q
fragment of a crew.
In the English channel she was joined
put in commission. and the next morning
she entered Calais in the guise of & Con-
federate shir-of-war in distress, which
had been driven by the need of repairs
to seek the hospitality of the port She
was allowed to enter. but placed under
close observation. After much discus
sion the French government decided
that it would place no obstacle in the
way Of her departure. but would al
low no increase Of the crew or the supply
of warlike equipment, and French gum
boat was anchored close by to enforce
the prohibition.
No further attempt was made to remove
the vessel, and she remained at Calais
as depot ship. In March. 1865. Barron
turned her over to Bulloch, and an at
tempt was made to sell her: but as the
Confederacy had now come to an end
Bulloch could give no legal title, and the
ship was eventually delivered to the
United States
In the latter part Of 1892 new cruiser.
OF the same type as the Florida, was
projected by the Confederate agents in
Liverpool She was launched in March,
1862 and was called the Alexandra. The
suspicious Of Mr.. Dudley. United States
consul at Liverpool, were aroused, and
near the end Of March Mr.. Adams
brought the subject to the notice Of the
foreign Office. at the same time forward
ing afadavits that left no doubt Of the
vessels character. As a result she was
seized by the customs o15cers, and the
case was tried in the following June