The Washington herald., 1914-11-22
STEAMBOATS, CRUISE OF
DESTRUCTION.
November Sixteenth.

Fifty years ago today the Confederate
commerce destroyer Shenandoah. success
sor Of the Alabama, was on a voyage
from England to the Pacific for the pur-
pose Of destroying the New England
whaling feet in that ocean.
Since leaving Madeira, where she had
gone into commission on October I9, the
Shenandoah had taken seven prizes OF
these three had been scuttled, two burned
and two ransomed on bond, payable when
the Confederate States should secure
their independence. -
The Shenandoah was the last OF the
Confederate cruisers. In damage to
United States shipping and in its pic
turesque character her career was second
only to that of the Alabama.
Unlike the Alabama, the Shenandoah
had not been built as a war vessel She
was a merchant ship, the Sea King. when
purchased by Capt. James D. Bulloch,
land. She was LOO tons register, had a
large rig, and was equipped with auxiliary
steam power.
Having taken on board her armament
and war stores from a steamer that met
her at the Madeiras, the Sea King went
into commission as the Shenandoah on
October 1s and laid her course southwark.
Seamen had been brought out from
England to form her crew, but a majority
refused to remain on learning the ships
character, and the Shenandoah began her
voyaging with but twenty-three men be-
fore the mast, three less than the total
of her officers.
The ship was also short of many needed
supplies. Her commander, Lieut. ]. L
waddell, planned to secure both men and
supplies from his prizes.
Gun Mounted at Sea.
As the vessel proceeded southwark un-
der sail her crew labored day and night
clearing away a congestion of coal, am
munition, and stores that had choked her
decks, and mounting her guns She had
but one carpenter, and a great deal of
work was necessary TO strengthen her
decks sufficiently to sustain the guns.
Many needed fittings were lacking,
while her cabins were almost destitute
of furniture. Her commander noted in
his journal that his cabin contained "one
broken plush-velvet bottomed armchair,
no berth, no bureau, no lockers for stow
ing my clothing in, no washstand, pitcher
or basin. The deck was covered with
half-worn carpet, which smelt Of dogs or
something worse. 1t was the most cheer
less and offensive spot that 1 ever oc-
cupied-"
In spite of these conditions on board.
the officers of the Shenandoah began their.
cruising in high spirits, prompted by their
love Of adventure. Although they knew
the cause of the Confederacy to be de-
caying, they hoped to strike heavy blow
to American shipping before the war
ended Unfortunately their zeal was 10
carry them so far into the Pacihc that
their operations were to be continued
to the great loss of the American mer-
chant marine, for more than three
months after the war came TO close.
PIunder from First Prize.
Sailing steadily southwark the Shenan-
tloah took her first prize on October 80
the bark Alma, Capt. Staples, of Sears
port, Ne, bound from newport, "dISS'
for Buenos Aires, with railroad iron
Lieut.. Waddell noted that the vessel
was ''on her first voyage, thoroughly
equipped, nicely coppered and beautifully
clean" and that she proved valuable
capture. furnishing the blocks for the
gun tackles of the Shenandoah, variety
Of other blocks which the steamer need
ed. and cotton canvas very suitable for
sail making.
The officers partially fit themselves
out with basins, pitchers. mess crockery'
knives. forks, etc. from the prize.
sbring bottom mattress fell to my share,
and a small supply Of provisions was re-
moved to the steamer"
The crew of the prize evidently feared
rough handling and were surprised when
they were very cordially met by the
crew of the Shenandoah. The purpose
of this greeting was to induce the sailors
from the Alma to volunteer for service
ON the cruiser. Six of them did SO, rais-
ing the Shenandoah's complement TO
twenty-nine before the mast.
Having destroyed the prize by scuttling
her. Capt. Waddell continued on MS