The Condor and "The Wild Rose of the Confederacy"

The Condor was one of five Falcon Class steamers built on the Clyde River in Glasgow, Scotland specifically to run the blockade.  On its maiden voyage, it ran aground and was lost on the night of October 1, 1864, in front of Fort Fisher.

Noted Confederate spy Rose O'Neal Greenhow was on board and returning from England where she had been raising funds for the Confederacy.  She feared she'd be captured and executed and insisted she be rowed to shore despite being advised not to do so by the ship's captain and officers.

A volunteer crew attempted to get her ashore, but waves capsized the boat and she drowned.  She was buried in Wilmington's Oakdale Cemetery.  Her grave is often marked with flowers and a Confederate flag in homage to "The Wild Rose of the Confederacy."

The rest of the Condor's crew rowed ashore the following day, including a Newfoundland puppy belonging to the ship's pilot, Thomas Brinkman.

--Old B-Runner