Confederate Vessels Sold in Liverpool-1866-------------------------------------------
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Thomas Haines Dudley was the United States Consul in Liverpool, from 19 November 1861 until
the
fall of 1872.
After the war Dudley was charged with the responsibilty of disposing of four Confederate
ships that the British had handed over to the U.S.. The vessels concerned were the Rappahannock,
the Shenandoah, the Sumter,and the Tallahassee (Chamelion).
Dudley was then authorised to sell the ship, along with her equipment and stores at auction, and
to deposit all of the the proceeds with the United States`s bankers in London.
He was forbidden from selling the vessel
to a
belligerent power, and was instructed to send any private property on board to the Unoted States.
Among the private property that was accordingly reserved from sale were:-
Dudley completed the arrangements, and in
April of 1866 he sold the Shenandoah for £15.582 and 15 shillings,
The U.S. Government was apparently satisfied with this, as he was then authorised to sell
the Tallahassee (Chamelion) and the Sumter.
To his credit, Dudley was one of the most able diplomats to serve the United
States during the conflict, and was a constant thorn in James Dunwoody Bulloch`s side.
In January of 1866, an attempt
had been made to sail the Shenandoah to the United States, but had failed due to stormy
weather.
47
chronometers and one sextant, together with $820.40 in cash, and these articles were subsequently sent to the United States .
and her coal for £85 and 10 shillings,
and her provisions for £33 and 17 shillings and four
pence.
A total figure of just over £17,000 *approx. ($85,000 in 1866).
This was done in June of 1866, but the sale fell
just short of the required £5,500 ($27,500), and the sale was cancelled.
Six monthe later the Rappahannock was sold for $5,200 ($26,000).
The last three vessels obviously not having the charisma of the Shenandoah it would seem.
