CSS Shenandoah

William Hutchinson was born in England and migrated to Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; making his home in a community on the outskirts of Melbourne, and was living there when the Confederate Cruiser, the “CSS Shenandoah” arrived in Port Phillip Bay.  Upon arriving at Port Phillip Bay Lieutenant Waddell stood the “Shenandoah” off the entrance to Port Phillip, and requested a Pilot, who responded that orders prevented him from bringing a belligerent ship into harbour without good cause, Waddell responded he had problems with his propeller shaft on the “Shenandoah”, which was good enough for Pilot Edward Johnson to move ahead and assist. Waiting off the heads, a health official  then boarded the “Shenandoah” and reported that the Confederates would find many friends in Melbourne; but also warned they would find enemies awaiting them as well.

The ship received government approval to stay in port at 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 ship; while the officers went ashore and revelled with fresh cooked dinners, and elaborate balls held in their honour.

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."

On January 25, 1865 the “CSS Shenandoah” was placed in dock at Sandridge to make the necessary repairs, replenish her supplies and try and recruit new crew members; even though it was in violation of international law to do so in a neutral port.

Like a number of others in the area, Hutchinson upon learning that the Confederate Cruiser had made port in Port Phillip Bay, on January 25, 1865, he quickly proceeded to Sandridge and went aboard the “CSS Shenandoah” on February 17, 1865, even though it had been prohibited by local officials.  Like all the others, he too had to remain in hiding until the “CSS Shenandoah” had weighed anchor and moved out of Australian waters before revealing himself. Hutchinson then proceeded to sign aboard the Confederate Cruiser as an able bodied seaman, placing his mark beside his name at the rate of $29.10; on February 18th, 1865.

William Hutchinson remained aboard the “Shenandoah” until its surrender By Lieutenant Waddell, on November 6, 1865, to British Captain Paynter, commanding her Majesty’s ship “Donegal; at Liverpool, England, Robert remained in Liverpool for awhile, before embarking on a ship back to 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

Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion

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

William A. Temple, affidavit