File:The naval history of the United States (1896) (14597794839).jpg

Identifier: navalhistoryofun02abbo (find matches)
Title: The naval history of the United States
Year: 1896 (1890s)
Authors: Abbot, Willis J. (Willis John), 1863-1934
Subjects: United States -- History, Naval To 1900
Publisher: New York, Dodd, Mead and company
Contributing Library: University of Massachusetts, Boston
Digitizing Sponsor: University of Massachusetts, Boston

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eymight again get their mills running, and their people fed. The years of the war were lively times for the little town of Nassau.Hardly had the proclamation of President Lincoln announcing the blockadeof all Confederate ports been issued, when at a bound Nassau becameprominent as the point of all most suitable for a blockade-runners ren-dezvous. Its harbor and the surrounding waters were deep enough formerchant-vessels, but too shallow to allow much cruising about by war-ships of heavy armament. It was within a few hours running of three Con-federate ports, and it was protected by the flag of Great Britain. Early inthe war the Confederates established a consulate in the little town, and BLUE-JACKETS OF 61. 639 the Stars and Stripes and the Stars and Bars waved within a few rods ofeach other. Then great shipping-houses of Liverpool sent over agents,and established branch houses. Great warehouses and wharves were builtSoon great ocean ships and steamers began unloading their cargoes at
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COTTON SHIPS AT NASSAU. these wharves. Then swift, rakish schooners began to drop into the harbor,and after discharging heavy loads of cotton would take on cargoes ofEnglish goods, and slip out at nightfall to begin the stealthy dash past thewatching gunboats. As the war went on, and the profits of the trade 64O BLUE-JACKETS OF 61. increased with its dangers, a new style of craft began to appear in the littleharbor. These were the Clyde built blockade-runners, on which the work-men of the Clyde ship-yards had been laboring day and night to get themready before the war should end. They were long, low, piratical lookingcraft, with two smoke-stacks raking aft, and with one or two masts forshowing signals, for they never hoisted a sail. Two huge paddle-boxestowered above the deck amidships, the wheels being of enormous size. Nostructure of any kind encumbered the deck. Even the steersman stoodunsheltered at a wheel in the bow. They were painted dark gray, and atnight could slip unseen alo

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