This is a reproduction of a library book that was digitized by Google as part of an ongoing effort to preserve the information in books and make it universally accessible. https://books.google.com UC - NRLF $ B 61 828 ADVENTURES OF A BLOCKADE RUNNER es & UNWIN SQUARE SERT PATERNOSTER no un B le $ 5.00 CALIFORNIENSIS VM MDC LIBRIS EX t . 1 1 | 1 - 1 “ Adventures are to the adventurous . " BEACONSFIELD . 1 El THE ADVENTURE SERIES . GTU THE ADVENTURE SERIES . Illustrated . Crown 8vo , 5s . 1. Adventures of a Younger Son . By E. J. TRELAWNY . 2. Robert Drury's Journal in Madagascar . 3. Memoirs of the Extraordinary Military Career of John Shipp . 4. The Adventures of Thomas Pellow , of Penryn , Mariner . 5. The Buccaneers and Marooners of America . 6. The Log of a Jack Tar ; or , The Life of James Choyce . With O'Brien's Captivity in France . 7. The Voyages and Adventures of Ferdinand Mendez Pinto . 8. The Story of the Filibusters . 9. A Master Mariner . The Life and Adventures of Captain R. W. Eastwick . 10. Kolokotrones , Klepht and Warrior . II . Hard Life in the Colonies . 12. The Escapes of Casanova and Latude from Prison . 13. The Adventures of a Blockade Runner ; or , Trade in Time of War , ( OTHERS IN THE PRESS . ) THE IDENTURCS Gl BLOCKADE RUNNER . OK TRADE IN TINE O CIR WILLA VISOS THOR OF " TEIN !!! " OVIFITATE ARIY : illRiiri ) 1,0.1lLiili VIIV Tiin : 1 : 1 : 1 : " is GA THE ADVENTURES OF A BLOCKADE RUNNER ; OR , TRADE IN TIME OF WAR XONO NON BY WILLIAM WATSON . AUTHOR OF “ LIFE IN THE CONFEDERATE ARMY ” ILLUSTRATED BY CAPTAIN BYNG , R.N. LONDON : T. FISHER UNWIN . NEW YORK : MACMILLAN & CO . MDCCCXCIII Eboo W3 18 : ... PREFACE . QHERE are few instances in modern times where the exigencies of war so much barred the free run of intercourse and paralyzed trade and commerce as the blockading of the Southern ports during the American Civil War , or where such inducements were offered to break through the barrier by what was called blockade running . The writer has neither the knowledge nor the capability to attempt to write anything like a history or treatise on this subject ; he therefore confines himself to a brief detail of his own acts and experience , and what came under his own observation . The idea of blockade running during that war has been generally depicted by swift steamers running into Charleston and other ports in the Atlantic States , and it was there that it was chiefly carried on during the earlier part of the war when the blockade was somewhat inefficient . It has also been supposed by some that the danger of capture lay only in passing through the blockading fleet while entering or leaving a port , and that beyond the limits of the blockaded port no danger existed ; this was a mistaken idea . As the war progressed , the naval force of the United States was greatly augmented . The seas were patroll d by cruisers , and the blockaded ports became fewer in nuinber as they were successively captured and occupied by the United States forces ; and during the latter part of the war , the traffic was confined almost exclusively to the Gulf of Mexico and the M199605 vi PREFACE . States bordering on its shores ; and it was there carried on with great activity till the very end of the war , in the face of a powerful blockading fleet and numerous cruisers , which overhauled and seized anywhere at sea , all vessels to which they thought any suspicion might attach . Hence the traffic was then attended with more difficulty and risk ; captures were more frequent , and the whole busi ness more hazardous and exciting . In connection with the traffic in the Gulf there was one feature which has been very little noticed : this was the great amount of blockade running which was done by small sailing vessels . On the shores of the Gulf States there were many rivers and inlets , the entrances to which were generally blocked by shallow bars or shoals , which could only be entered by vessels of light draught of water . These entrances were largely taken advantage of by what were called centre - board schooners — a class of vessels much in use at that time in these parts . Although one or more war vessels generally lay off these entrances or inlets , they could not , on account of the shallow water , get sufficiently close to effectually block the passage in and out of these small craft by night , therefore a strict look out was kept for them outside : and , in order to suppress the traffic , a number of patrolling vessels cruised along the coast and over the Gulf , with the view of picking them up at sea . The shallow waters of these ports also confined the traffic to vessels of small class , and these had to run to neutral ports in Mexico , Cuba , or elsewhere , which made their occupation somewhat adventurous . Often very heavily overladen , they had , besides the risk of passing the blockading vessels , the dangers of a long sea voyage , throughout the whole of which they were liable to be picked up by the United States cruisers ; and winter being the chosen time , on account of shorter day light and better winds , they often encountered heavy gales , and being in constant dread of capture , they were often driven along with extreme recklessness . The writer through force of circumstances brought on by the war was in a measure compelled to engage in this hazardous business , and had some experience in this small - craft traffic PREFACE . vi : and afterwards in steamers , as well as in some of the less pleasing incidents of business in the war time . He has still in his possession many papers and memoranda of business and other events , as well as remnants of his log books ; and in now publishing this little account of his experience , he trusts the public will excuse the many defects in his composition , as he has no pretensions to literary abilities , but endeavours to relate , in a plain , blunt way , events just as they happened . And if those who may take the trouble to read through these pages should find anything to interest or amuse them , his object will be attained . WILLIAM WATSON . January , 1892 . 1 SCHOONERBLOCKADE RUNNING LOADEDCOTTON WITH A -. CONTENTS . CHAPTER I. PAGE A country distracted by war - Effects of a blockade - Getting away from the turmoil — The schooner Rob Roy -- Description of a centre - board vessel 1 CHAPTER II . The writer begins his narrative – The schooner boarded by the Alabama --Arrival at Belize , Honduras - American vessels changing their flag - Effects of the American paper currency on the West Indian market - No market for cargo - Sails for the coast of Mexico Finds there a large fleet of shipping - Reasons for the presence of the same . 7 CHAPTER III . Communication with the Confederate States through Mexico — The cotton mania- The Brownsville route across the plains -- Its difficulties and uncertainties 22 CHAPTER IV . No prospect of business - Reduced to straits - Resolve to try a bolder venture - A new captain and crew shipped - Captain J. - A word of warning as to him - Departure for the blockaded coast -Arrival in Texas , but not unscathed 35 CHAPTER V. State of things in Texas - Scarcity of gold and silver -- A forced currency -Jobbers – V ( FPC's premium - Devices to obtain possession X CONTENTS . PAGE of them — Descent of the Federal forces on the coast — The Rob Roy pressed into the Government service -- Beginning of troubles Blockade runners regarded with suspicion - Proof of fealty an im . portant essential - Military rule . 19 CHAPTER VI . More troubles — Sinking of the schooner - Captain B. sympathizes and proffers his advice - Kindness of Captain Downs - Strange conduct of Captain J .- . A plot to get possession of the vessel - A new part nership formed – The sunken vessel raised - A personal encounter A good riddance 04 CHAPTER VII . The vessel again repaired — Another detention - A large Federal fleet on the coast - Capture of Captain Downs's vessel and others — The Forts bombarded — The Rob Roy again employed in the Government service - Arrival of a schooner escaped from her captors — Captain McLusky - Account of his capture and escape . 80 CHAPTER VIII . My share in the schooner reduced to one - eighth - Appointed master of her- The Brownsville route intercepted - Captains of blockade . running vessels to be furnished with commissions — A schooner on the bar - My old friend Captain Downs again turns up - Amusing story of his capture - I am entrusted with important despatches • 94 CHAPTER IX . Getting to sea at last - Half - manned in a gale — Passing the gunboats in the darkness - Hard work , but happy – George and his sea proverbs and superstitions - Dodging cruisers in calm weather - A hot chase and a narrow escape - No desire for company - Arrival at Tampico 108 CHAPTER X. Landing of the cargo at Tampico - A mysterious stranger makes friends with me -- A chance to make a fortune by betraying trust — Tampico under French rule — Rejoicings at Maximilian's acceptance of the Imperial Crown of Mexico - Departure from Tampico— Arrival at Havana - Settling up accounts 126 CONTENTS . xi PAGE CHAPTER XI . Trying to gei a freight - Confederate regulations as to inward cargoes Sympathizing speculators — Patriotism versus Number One - Basis of blockade running changed from Nassau to Havana - Rigging of the market - Arrival of the Harriet Lane and Matagorda - Attention of steamers turned to Galveston - My old friend Captain Dave turns up - His views as to costly vessels for blockade running - He invests in a cheap one - Arrangements for a second voyage 141 CHAPTER XII . Second voyage -- Departure from Havana — Captain Dave sails same night - Light winds and calms — Plans to keep out of sight of cruisers — Narrow escape - We meet an old friend - We don't like her looks — We make a warlike display_She sheers off - A long passage - Get in with difficulty - Captain Dave ahead of us - He brings in with him a Federal naval officer and prize crew .