CSS Shenandoah

John James was born in England and later migrated to Victoria, Australia. Upon arriving in Melbourne, Australia, John made his home in a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria and was living there when the “CSS Shenandoah”, a Confederate Cruiser during the American Civil War, arrived in Port Phillip Bay; on January 25, 1865. The following month John abandoned his residence and went aboard the CSS Shenandoah, on the night of February 17, 1865; concealing himself in the ships hold until the “Shenandoah’ was out at sea. He stayed in seclusion and out of sight until the ship made for the open sea and out of Australian waters, because had he been detected he would by international law have to be removed from the ship. Upon coming out, he placed his mark beside his name on the ships log on, February 18, 1865, and joined the “Shenandoah” crew. Having experience in wood working, John was given the position as carpenter’s mate at the rate of $33.95.

John James remained with the “Shenandoah” until the end of the war, when she was surrendered by Lieutenant Waddell on November 6, 1865 to British Captain Paynter; commanding her Majesty’s ship “Donegal,, in Liverpool, England.

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