Wednesday, February 20, 2013

The Civil War in Real Time, February 19, 1863-- Part 2: Odds Favor the Runners

Continuing with Admiral Du Pont's report on his blockade of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

"If I had not induced the Department to establish a floating machine shop, which i had seen the French have in China, the blockade would have been a total failure....Steam however is the new element in the history of blockades, which no one at first understands, as both sides have it-- but it is all in the favor of the runner--  he chooses his time, makes his bound and rushes through, his only danger a chance shot--  while the watcher has banked fires, has chains to slip, as guns to point and requires certainly fifteen minutes to get under full way on his ship.

It is wonderful how many we catch, how many are wrecked, there is another on the beach now with the sea breaking over her...."

The admiral surely wasn't above taking credit, was he?

Old B-Runner

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