CSS Shenandoah

Thomas Foren, whose surname was also shown on one source as Faun, was born in Ireland and migrated to Victoria, Australia. While living in the Melbourne area, the “CSS Shenandoah”, a Confederate Cruiser, arrived at Port Phillip Bay and its Captain. Lieutenant Waddell stood the “Shenandoah” off the entrance to Port Phillip, and requested a Pilot; the Pilot Edward Johnson. responded that orders prevented him from bringing a belligerent ship into harbour without good cause. Waddell responded he had problems with the propeller shafting on the “Shenandoah”, which was a good enough for Pilot. Waiting off the heads, a health official boarded the “Shenandoah” and reported that the Confederates would find many friends in Melbourne, but also warned they would fine enemies awaiting as well.

The ship received government approval to stay in port at Sandridge, today known as Port Melbourne, to resupply her provisions and to make the necessary repairs to the propeller shaft. In the meantime, all the local citizenry turned out to view the Rebel Pirate as news of its arrival spread like wildfire; while the officers revelled with fresh cooked dinners ashore, and elaborate balls held in their honour.

The U.S. Consul to Melbourne, William Blanchard, protested strenuously to Governor Darling, that the Sea King, as the “Shenandoah was formerly known, did not qualify as a warship, and should be designated a Pirate; but Darling stated that the law officers of the Crown had "Come to the decision that, whatever may be the previous history of Shenandoah, the Government of the Colony is bound to treat her as a ship of war belonging to a belligerent nation."

Foren heard that the Confederate Cruiser, the “CSS Shenandoah”, had entered Port Phillip Bay, off Melbourne, Victoria, Australia on January 25, 1865, had also heard that the “Shenandoah” was also looking for able bodied seamen to sign on as new crewmembers, and he decided he wanted to take advantage of the offer. So Foren ignored police orders that locals were not to board the “Shenandoah” and went aboard anyway; hiding out aboard ship until the “Shenandoah” had set sail and was once again in international waters. Foren then, along with many others, came forth and by placing his mark beside his name, he signed aboard the “Shenandoah” at a pay rate of $29.10; on February 18th, 1865. He was also one of the signatories who expressed confidence in the command of Lieutenant James I. Waddell, in a petition dated September 1865.

Thomas Foren remained aboard the “Shenandoah” until its surrender on November 6, 1865, to British Captain Paynter, commanding her Majesty’s ship “Donegal, in Liverpool, England.

Alabama Claims Vol. 1, “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; 18691, 976 & 995;

    3, 751 & 7551, 976; ORN 1, 3, 783

Eleanor S. Brockenbrough Library, Museum of the Confederacy, Richmond, Virginia

History of The Confederate States Navy, J.T. Scarf, 1996

Marauders of the Sea, Confederate Merchant Raiders During the American Civil

     War, Mackenzie J Gregory

Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion 1, 3, 783

The Cruise of the Shenandoah, Captain William C. Whittle, CSN

William A. Temple, affidavit