Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 32.djvu/332

 320 Southern Historical Society Papers.

THE SHENANDOAH.

Sketch of the Eventful Life of the Confederate Cruiser.

CAPTAIN JAMES I. WADDELL.

Carried the Confederate Flag Around the World. A Memorial

Address by Capt. S. A. Ashe, before the Ladies' Memorial

Association, at Raleigh, N. C., May 10, 1902.

On Saturday afternoon, the loth of May, 1902, at Raleigh, N. C., Captain S. A. Ashe delivered before the Ledies' Memorial As- sociation an address on Captain James Iredell Waddell, who com- manded the Confederate cruiser Shenandoah, carried the Confederate flag around the world, and never lowered it until seven months after Lee's surrender, when he brought his ship into a British port.

From his address we take the following:

PURCHASE OF THE "SEA KING."

Captain Bullock, the representative of the Confederate govern- ment in Europe, had succeeded in purchasing the Sea King, a vessel built for the East India trade, and then on her maiden voyage. She was commodious and well adapted to carrying a large comple- ment of men, sailed well under canvas, and had her screw propeller so adjusted that when not in use, it could be raised out of the water.

In September, 1864, Flag Officer Barron, at Paris, pursuant to instructions from the department, gave to Lieutenant Waddell his particular directions. They were to the effect that he should pro- ceed 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 invoiced as machinery and other innocent goods and chat- tels.

The difficulties that beset Confederate operations abroad were almost insurmountable, the British authorities being vigilant to give no offence to the United States.

The Sea King having been secretly purchased, also set sail for Madeira.