ebooks The Last Confederate Ship at Sea: The Wayward Voyage of the CSS Shenandoah; October 1864-November 1865 by Paul Williams in History

Review

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A very illuminating readBy Alan Gray CustomerThe Last Confederate Ship at Sea is a surprise to say the least. I've read some other books about the CSS Shenandoah; which barely compare with this. The author would appear to have unearthed over the last 20 years explanations for mysteries about the ship's cruise including the circumnavigation of the globe. This was done despite the captain's orders requiring the ship to never return to Europe. The author was assisted by a relative of Lillias Nichols; a captive on board. The account of the love affair and subsequent blackmail appear to be true; backed up with documents such as alterations to Captain Waddell's memoirs before publication in 1960; and the book written by Master's Mate Cornelius Hunt which accused Waddell of theft - payback for not having received hush money. The scenario laid out certainly makes sense. Mrs. Nichols also signed a very revealing affidavit which; according to the author; has been misrepresented in other Shenandoah books. In all; The Last Confederate Ship at Sea was a very illuminating read.5 Stars2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. The Last To Lower The Confederate To Lower Its FlagBy James GallenCivil War students absorb the minutest details of the land war but some of the conflict’s most interesting tales washed in from the sea.One of those tales is that of the C.S.S. Shenandoah; the Confederate raider terrorized Yankee maritime commerce circumnavigated the globe and fired the last Confederate shot and whose surrender ended organized Rebel resistance. Its voyage from October 1864 to November 1865 is chronicled in “The Last Confederate Ship at Sea” by Paul Williams. Although limited to one ship; it is a microcosm of the history of the Confederate Navy.The Confederate Navy sailed; not to challenge the Unions fleet; but to increase the costs of the war to Northern Marine and; through them; to pressure the Lincoln Administration to negotiate for peace. Soaring insurance premiums drove many American bottoms to seek protection under neutral flags while the raiders; like privateers; paid their own expenses out of their prizes. New England whalers seeking leviathans in the Pacific were common victims of Shenandoah as it took 38 prizes and 1;052 prisoners.Lacking shipyards; the South purchased its vessels by stealth in European markets. Sea King sailed out of the Clyde to become the Shenandoah when it was crewed and loaded with war materials at sea; another success of the Confederate agent; James Bulloch; uncle of Theodore Roosevelt; over American ambassador; Charles Francis Adams; son of John Quincy.Among the most interesting stories from these raiders are their shore visits. Shenandoah had its days of celebrity during its visit to the neutral port of Melbourne in the colony of Victoria; Australia. Colonial society reflected the homeland’s chasm between the opinions of upper and working and upper classes. While its officers and men were the toast of the town its presence ignited legal and journalistic clashes until; its crew full of memories and its hold full of supplies; it sailed back to sea.When Shenandoah’s plunder proved insufficient win its nation’s independence it was left a ship without a country. It eventually completed its voyage by surrendering in Liverpool on November 6; 1865; the last Confederate military or naval unit to lower its flag.The life of a ship is found in its timbers and canvas; but in the minds and hearts of those who serve her. I do not want to spoil it for you; but let us just say that there is a sailor; a woman and a life ever after.Author Paul Williams has crafted an intriguing sea saga of Shenandoah that gives readers a glimpse into the life of other Confederate raiders. If you think you have read enough of the Civil War; pick up “The Last Confederate Ship At Sea”. You will be richly rewarded.I did receive a free copy of this book to read and review.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A COMPELLING CASEBy Rod NewmanThe cruise of the Shenandoah has probably been the subject of more books than any other Confederate warship. But this version is certainly different. It starts with Captain James Waddell changing his mind overnight about their final destination saying they are to sail back to Britain. Fearing a hangman's rope; his near-mutinous officers objected. The book then goes back in time to explain why this happened; a love affair between the captain and a previous woman prisoner; Lillias Nichols; which resulted in blackmail by Master's Mate Cornelius Hunt. The evidence includes Waddell's memoirs having been doctored before publication and numerous other documents and events. This is controversial as seen in "Civil War News" recently. The CWN book reviewer stated that the writer had put up a "rather weak case." The author; Paul Williams; wrote to Civil War News challenging the book reviewer to justify this statement. In response; the reviewer wrote a fresh piece (Google "Letter to the Editor - re. The Last Confederate Ship at Sea" ) In this he concedes that based on Williams' research; an "affair took place between Waddell and the lady." He also agreed that Hunt accused Waddell of theft following the cruise; but then said Waddell may have changed course from Australia to procure money or "avoid an encounter with his ex-lover or her husband;" rather than blackmail. Williams does in fact; put forward a compelling case for both affair and blackmail which explains the moods and actions by Waddell which so mystified his officers. This included the 3 month voyage back to Britain against orders when; having been declared pirates; they could be hanged. Last Confederate Ship is an enlightening read which sheds new light on the wayward cruise.