Clyde Built: Blockade Runners, Cruisers and Armoured Rams of the American Civil WarThe Blockade of the US's Southern ports during the American Civil War is well known and thoroughly documented, the conflict defined as a massive game of chess between two steely opponents - the aggressive Navy of the Federation and the determined Confederate States. However, this black-and-white interpretation of events neglects the role of Scotland in this historical siege, sidelining the Scots to mere shipbuilders and suppliers. In reality, their role in the Blockade was much more pronounced. The Blockade Runners illuminates the events of the Blockade as viewed and experienced from Scotland. The shipbuilding industry was overwhelmed at the scale of profit available, and these financial rewards stimulated much ship building activity in the Clyde. Aside from being the principal provider of steamers and armed cruisers to both sides of the American Civil War, the Scots saw further opportunity in promoting private ventures, both on the water and off, as they sent privately owned Blockade runners into the stand-off, and also provided a location for secret agency activity from both sides. The ideological conflict unfolding between American anti-slavery supporters and anti-abolitionists also spread to the other side of the Atlantic and forced the Scots to examine their own values, polarising opinions and forcing the individual to reassess their position on the most basic human rights. |
Contents
The Clyde and the War at Sea 1861 | 27 |
The Boom Years 18624 | 42 |
The Clydes Private Runners | 71 |
Copyright | |
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Other editions - View all
Clyde Built: Blockade Runners, Cruisers and Armoured Rams of the American ... Eric J. Graham No preview available - 2006 |
Common terms and phrases
1864 Dimensions Acquired agents Alexander Collie American arrived Atlantic Bahamas bales Begbie Begbie's Bermuda blockade runners blockade-running boilers Britain British built Bulloch burthen cannon Cape Fear River Captain captured cargo Charleston Clyde steamers Clydeside command Confederacy Confederate consul crew cruisers css Shenandoah data History December Dumbarton ESME Library Exporting Company Federal Fingal Firth of Clyde flag fleet Fort Fisher Fraser ft Tonnage Galveston George Wigg Giraffe Glasgow Greenock gross registered gunboat Havana hull Importing & Exporting Inlet Iron paddle steamer Island James John knots History launched 1863 Dimensions Liverpool London Maffitt Nassau naval navy NHP History North November officers owners Pampero Peter Denny ports registered Engines renamed River run into Charleston run the blockade runs into Wilmington sailed Savannah schooner-rigged Scots Scott screw steamer Secretary ship shipbuilding sold speed steam took Trenholm & Company twin screw steamer vessels Wilmington yard