MAY 1-15TH, 1865: During this period, the CSS Shenandoah "made nothings" towards the Bering Sea whaling ground through pleasant seas that would soon change in the high latitudes. After departing Lea harbor, Ponape, in the Caroline Islands on 13 April, the lone raider had experienced fine cruising--except for lack of prizes.
Waddell wrote: "Never in our various experience of sea life had any of us seen such or more charming weather than we now enjoyed. The sun shone with a peculiar brilliancy and the moon shed that clear, soft light which is found in this locality, in which the heavens seem so distant and darkly blue, while the vast expanse of ocean was like a great reflecting mirror.
"The track for vessels bound from San Francisco and many of the ports on the west coast of America to Hong Kong lies between the parallels in north latitude of 17 degrees and 20 degrees here the winds are better than are found in a more northerly route, while the track to San Francisco and other ports along the west coast of America lies between the parallels of 35 degrees and 45 degrees, because here west winds prevail..."
Real Pleasant Sailing. --Old B-Runner
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