 |
|
|
|
CSS “Shenandoah” |
|
|
|
William Burgess was born in England and migrated to Victoria, Australia; making him home in the vicinity of Melbourne, Victoria. It was while living there that everyone became aware that the infamous Confederate Cruiser; the “CSS Shenandoah” had entered Port Phillip Bay, off Melbourne; on January 25, 1865. Her purpose was to make repairs on her propeller shaft, recalk her hull and replenish her dwindling supplies. Afterwards, her intentions were to return to the raiding of Union merchant and whaling vessels on the open sea. Thousands of locals turned out to view the ship as she made her way into the bay and to the Williamstown docks in Melbourne. Once docked for repairs, the crew was allowed shore leave, while its officers revelled with fresh cooked dinners and elaborate balls held in their honour. Soon it was learned by word of mouth that the Captain of the “Shenandoah”, Lieutenant James Waddell, was also interested in recruiting new crewmembers. That was in violation of international law, to recruit crew in a neutral port, but many Australians jumped at the chance to become a member of the ships crew. Ignoring police orders for Australians not to board the “Shenandoah”, Burgess was one of forty-two who secretly went aboard anyway, on the night of February 17th, and hid out on the ship until the “Shenandoah had again set sail and was once more in international waters. Burgess then came out of hiding with the others on February 18, 1865 and officially signed aboard the “Shenandoah”; by placing his mark beside his name and accepting a position as a fireman, for $33.95;. William Burgess was also one of the signatories who expressed confidence in the command of lieutenant James I. Waddell, Captain of the “CSS Shenandoah”, in a petition dated September, 1865. Burgess became a loyal member of the crew and remained aboard the “Shenandoah” until its surrender by Lieutenant Waddell, on November 6, 1865, to British Captain Paynter, commanding her Majesty’s ship “Donegal, in Liverpool, England. The crew being paroled after its surrender took up temporary residence in Williamstown. It is not known if Burgess returned to England, or returned to his former home in Australia. |
 |
|
Alabama Claims, “Correspondence Concerning Claims Against Great Britain transmitted to the Senate of the United States in answer to the Resolutions of December 4, and 10, 1867, and of May 27, 1868”, Washington; 1869 Eleanor S. Brockenbrough Library, Museum of the Confederacy, Richmond, Virginia. History of The Confederate States Navy, J.T. Scarf, 1996 The Cruise of the Shenandoah, Captain William C. Whittle, CSN William A. Temple, affidavit |
