CSS Owl, Blockade-Runner-- Part 2: Running the Blockade Into Wilmington

The Owl was built in Liverpool, England, (Home of the Beatles) by shipbuilder Jones Quiggen and launched n June 21, 1864.  She was built specifically to run the blockade.

The CSS Owl was more fortunate than her sister ship, the CSS Bat which followed her closely.  The Owl succeeded in running into Wilmington, N.C.,  sometime in September 1864, despite the Union Navy having information on her and its destination.  United States Consul Mortimer Melville Jackson described her as having "a large, valuable cargo."

The Owl then cleared port, supposedly going to Nassau in the Bahamas, but actually to Wilmington.  She ran through the blockade successfully.  After loading cotton, the Owl escaped Wilmington on October 3, 1864, despite her masts being visible before running out.  However, not without damage and injuries.  Her captain and several crew men were wounded when nine shots found their mark.

--Old B-Runner