Blockade-Runner Nassau (Gordon-Theodora) -- Part 2

On October 9, 1861, Mason and Slidell chartered the Gordon for $10,000 to take them to Havana. The name of the ship was changed to the Theodora to further confuse Union spies.

They boarded the ship on the 11th. John Slidell had his wife and four children with him along with his personal secretary and his entire family. The Theodora left at 1 AM and passed within a mile and a half of a Union ship. Captain Thomas J. Lockwood was in command.

From Famous Blockade-Runners at wowway.com.

The Theodora was 175 feet long, had a 7 foot draft and could speed along at 16 knots. It had originally been named Carolina, then became the Gordon and now was the Theodora. It later also became the blockade-runner Nassau.

It served as a blockade-runner sometimes and other times was in Confederate service as a transport and armed picket ship.

--Old B-R'er