Confederate Agent, Commander Matthew F. Maury sent Lieutenant William F. Carter off to seek out suitable ships to purchase and convert for Confederate use. Carter came up with a former British vessel, HMS Victor, now retired as a gunboat by the British and used as a dispatch ship. Although a handsomely modeled vessel of her day, Lt. Carter made note numerous defects before sanctioning her purchase at a much reduced price. The vessel was however designed to carry six, 24 pounders, all mounted forward of her twin funnels. She also had 350 horse power engine powered by six boilers and was judged to be fast under steam. The three, square rigged masts only carried single top sails as essentially the ‘Victor’ was designed as a steamship and not as a sailing vessel. Through the British agents, Gordon Coleman and Company, acting for Thomas Bold a successful offer was made to buy the ‘Victor’ from the Admiralty, stating the ship was to be used as a ‘China’ trader by her new owners.
Moored in Sheerness under the name ‘Scylla’ subsequent reports began reaching the British Government of suspicious activity on shore and aboard, coupled with rumours she was being fitted out as a blockade runner in contravention of the Neutrality Act then in force. As these reports intensified the Government decided to detain the vessel in port. Through an informant, the ‘Scylla’s’ Captain got wind of the order and on November 23rd 1863, sailed her for the English Channel and France
More @ 290 Foundation
That 290 Foundation has an interesting web site.
ReplyDeleteNever realized how important the rivers were for delivering supplies during the war.
Yes, indeed.
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