September | 2015 | Shenandoah Down Under

Shenandoah Down Under Episode 46

Posted on September 23, 2015 in css Shenandoah

In Episode 46 of Shenandoah Down Under, the ship navigates the perilous waters of Cape Horn, seeking to get back to Liverpool without encountering Union warships (or indeed anyone else who could alert Union warships). But the Captain is otherwise preoccupied, asserting his authority in the most unlikely of places. Last month, it was fruitlessly trying to ban his officers from smoking on watch; now, he decrees there will be no hammocks strung up in the wardroom. Once again the victim of this officiousness is the unfortunate Lieutenant Debney Minor Scales, who must by now be feeling in a very minor key indeed.

One hundred and fifty years later Rob and MOB conclude their wide-ranging interview with Barry Crompton of the American Civil War Round Table of Australia. Did Captain Waddell meet Victorian Governer Darling in church, and if so which church? Find out in episode 46 of Shenandoah Down Under, the one with the hammocks.

Shenandoah Down Under Episode 45

Posted on September 11, 2015 in css Shenandoah, Whaling

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In Episode 45 of Shenandoah Down Under, Rob and MOB are once again very proud to host Barry Crompton of the American Civil War Round Table of Australia, and there is a a typically wide-ranging discussion, largely concerning the various primary and secondary sources used to research the CSS Shenandoah. Barry talks about a couple of new books about the voyage, and also some of the oldest – the journals and diaries kept by the officers on board. Whose diary was discovered only this year and has never been published? Who died in Egypt falling off a horse, and who is helping relieve Captain Waddell’s stress with some chloroform liniment and a hot toddy? Find out on this week’s episode of Shenandoah Down Under.

Shenandoah Down Under Episode 44

Posted on September 2, 2015 in css Shenandoah, Whaling

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As the Shenandoah sails further into the Southern Pacific heading for Cape Horn there is trouble aboard for Lieutenant Lee. Surely this couldn’t be worse than hearing the news that his uncle (General Lee) had surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox Court House?No, not worse than that, but pretty close, as Sydney Smith Lee is caught smoking on watch. Within a day the Ship is embroiled in dissension, other officers are telling the Captain that they also smoke on watch, and Lieutenant Cornelius Hunt is informing the men that they are only to be paid five percent of their wages owed on the return to Liverpool (which, even if true, is unhelpful).

With this series of direct challenges to his authority what will Captain Waddell do? Will he start out autocratic and then back down weakly? Will he dig a hole and then just keep digging?. Find out in episode 44 of Shenandoah Down Under, the one with the smoking.