Skip to main content
Advanced Search
CSS SHENANDOAH
CSS SHENANDOAH

CSS SHENANDOAH

Model Maker
Date1991
Object number00015493
NameModel
MediumBasswood, plywood, maple, brass, copper, irish linen, metal, paint
DimensionsOverall: 990 x 1,880 mm, 31 kg
Storage (storage box): 120.5 x 196 x 71 cm
ClassificationsModels
Credit LineANMM Collection Purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds
Collections
DescriptionThis ship model of the steamer CSS SHENANDOAH was made in 1990 - 1991. The SHENANDOAH was the last of the trio of Confederate raiders, including the FLORIDA and ALABAMA, which visited Melbourne in January/February 1865 prior to its Pacific cruise in search of Union whaleships during the American Civil War. The SHENANDOAH sank or captured 38 ships - all merchant vessels.HistoryThe CSS SHENANDOAH was a 790 ton steamer that entered Confederate naval service on October 14 1864 under the captaincy of James I Waddell. The ship was launched as the SEA KING in 1863, it was purchased by Confederate agents in Britain in the same year converted into a warship and renamed CSS SHENANDOAH. The primary objective of the SHENANDOAH during the American Civil War was to strike Union whaling fleets in the Bering Sea. Melbourne was seen as a convenient port for the SHENANDOAH to reprovision on its way to the Bering Sea, so on January 25 1865, the SHENANDOAH sailed into Hobsons Bay, Victoria. At the start of the American Civil War, Queen Victoria had issued a proclamation of neutrality towards both the Confederates and the Unionists. Following the arrival of the SHENANDOAH, there were calls for the Victorian colonial government, headed by Governor Sir Charles Darling to enforce this neutrality. There was also pressure from the United States consul William Blanchard who insisted that the Confederate crew of the SHENANDOAH should be arrested as pirates. This was ignored by Sir Charles Darling who was satisfied with the request from the SHENANDOAH for neutrality in order to be able to effect repairs. The SHENANDOAH subsequently moved into dry dock in Williamstown to effect repairs. The day after the SHENANDOAH's arrival over 7000 people travelled from Melbourne to view the ship. There was plenty of local interest in the ship's arrival and several 'official functions' where held, including a gala ball in Ballarat. During its month long visit, SHENANDOAH divided Australians on whether to support the ship, and also provoked a war between the local Victorian press. The Age condemned the Confederates while The Argus were vocal in their support for them. The possibility that the SHENANDOAH could recruit British subjects during its time in dry dock in Victoria created tension between the Governor Sir Charles Darling and the United States consul William Blanchard. Despite Captain Waddell ordering his crew to deter all British recruits, and searches of the vessel by 200 Australian police and 50 troops, 42 British subjects were still recruited in Victoria. On November 1865, seven months after the end of the American Civil War, Captain Waddell surrendered the SHENANDOAH in Liverpool, England. Unaware that the war had ended, SHENANDOAH had continued to attack Union whalers in the Arctic and Pacific Oceans, and in doing so, had fired the last shot of the Civil War.SignificanceThe SHENANDOAH provides maritime historians with one of the few examples of technological advances in ship design of the mid 19th century. Only a few clipper ships were equipped with steam.