US Navy Reports of Blockade Runners 

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Jun 10, 2016 - Jun 11, 2016

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• Lot Description
  US Navy Reports of Blockade Runners 
  
  Lot of 5, including:
  
  2pp, 7.75 x 12 in., marked Copy, dated USS Adirondack / Hampton Roads, Va / August 4th, 1862, with the heading: Sir, The following is a descriptive list of steam vessels now or lately at Nassau, N.P, which are actively engaged in the violation of the blockade of the ports of those states now in insurrection against the Government.  12 ships are listed, including Melita, Stanley, Pacific, Kate, Minna, et al., as well as four ships which recently left for Charleston. Report issued by Guert Gansevoort, Commander, to Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles.
  
  Another report on blue lined paper, 8 x 12.5 in., 6pp. Writer unidentified (possibly intentionally as their primary role seems to be gathering information, i.e. spying). Contains extracts from letters, consuls in England, etc. Docketed on last page "Descriptions of Vessels intending to run the blockade." The first entry is "Extracts from a letter received from B.A.  Mumford, New York, Nov. 19, 1862":
  
  An iron steamer formerly called the “Antonio,” but now without a name, went to sea yesterday, Nov. 20^th 1862 from Liverpool for Havana. She is about 280 tons, 3 masts, very fast, and is loaded with brandy and crates of crockery. What the crates contain remains to be seen, the Captain of her told my informant he was to run the blockade after coaling at Havana.
  From dispatch of consul at Cardiff dated Nov. 6^th I have just learned that the Bark Hero (Bristol) which is loading here in port with coal, is bound for Nassau but is to stop at Queenstown to take on fifty tons of gunpowder. …
  
  And so it goes for six pages. Third report, 8 x 12.5 in., 1p.
  
  
  Circular No. 10
  
  Description of the “Gladiator”
  
  Screw Steamer “Gladiator,” drawing a little over eight feet, - light forward, - three masted, - having three gards on foremast, - Sails bent on topsail and top gallant yards – no gards on main and mizzen masts – masts scraped and varnished, - topmasts painted black, - bottom painted copper red, - topsides black with no streak (?)  - six bulls eye cabin lights on each side, - straight stem, - no bowsprit, - no figure head, - rounded stern, - gilt stern moulding, name and word “London” in white block characters, - gunnel white, with about three feet at top, black, placed between fore and main masts, - has a large midship bridge, painted white, midship boats white, - quarter boats white, -
  
  In the event of meeting the above named vessel, she is to be captured and sent in for adjudication, -
  
  (signed) W.W. McLean
  Flag Officer
  Comdg. Gulf Blk[Blockading] Sqdr
  
  William Wister McKean (1800 – 1865), Admiral. Union blockade that effectively closed Confederate ports in the Gulf of Mexico. Appointed midshipman 1814, rose to rank of flag officer in command of Gulf Blockading Squadron and then East Gulf Blockading Squadron. Relieved from active duty 4 June 1862 (likely for age) after nearly five decades of service. Fourth report, 7.5 x 9.5 in., 2pp.
  
  
  U.S. Ship “Ino.”
  Port Royal, S.C.
  September 9, 1862
  
  Sir
  There are now in the port of St. Georges the following steamers which from all the information I could obtain while at that port I am led to believe will go direct from there to the southern ports of the United states. The “Phoebe” of London apparently a twin vessel of the Lodona, painted a light lead color, will sail from St. Georges first. She was allready [sic] and has powder and ammunition on board.
  
  The “Gladiator” the same vessel that has once ran the blockade, is painted a brick color, and it is certain has powder on board, as she is not allowed to anchor in the usual anchorage.
  
  The “Harriet Pinckney” reported sixteen days from London with a general cargo for Nassau, is brig rigged, has no bowsprit and draws thirteen feet of water.
  
  From all the information I could gain I think it is the intention of the rascals to go direct from there to our southern ports, instead of going to Nassau as heretofore.
  
  I am Sir
  Your Obt. Servt
  Edward F. Devens
  Act’g. Master Comdg.
  
  Commodore
  J.T. Green
  Com’dg U.S. Steamer Canadaigua
  Port Royal, S.C.
  
  P.S. I also enclose a copy of a letter from the U.S. Consul at Liverpool to the Consul at Bermuda. Last is a report dated April 9, 1863 from the Coast Survey, which continued to operate during the war, 7.5 x 9.5 in., 1p. "Measurement of Shore line of the United States under Blockade – measuring across the inlets and mouths of rivers." Gives distances in statute miles from Alexandria, VA to the Potomac River to Cape Henry, VA to Cape Hatteras, then to Cape Florida, Mobile, AL and finally to the Rio Grande, a total of 3549 miles. They also give the nature of the coastline with 189 openings (all kinds), and the water depth summaries (45 have less than 6 feet at Mean High Water, 70 have between 6 and 12 feet, etc.). Important information to know which ports, rivers, etc. can be used by which blockade runners. 
  
  Provenance: The M. Clifford (Cliff) and Lynne B. Young Confederate Blockade Runner Collection

  Condition

  Most about average or a little better, with expected folds and light toning along them. Occasional damp stains.
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