“Sea of Gray” by Tom Chaffin



"Sea of Gray" by Tom Chaffin

Summary Of The Book

In October 8, 1864, the Sea King went down the Thames River and cruised into the Atlantic Ocean. The boat reached at the island of Las Desertas, where it took on supplies. It furthermore disclosed its factual title, the CSS Shenandoah. A Confederate business raider in the method of the CSS Alabama and Florida, the secret boat had instructions to strike Yankee whaling boats in the Bering Sea. Its despairing objective to hurl the to the north finances into disarray had nothing less achievement than the Confederacy. (Tom 2006)

The Shenandoah steamed and cruised round the Cape of Good Hope on its way to Australia. After a short stay in Melbourne, the head individual disclosed the ship's full objective to the crew and the vessel advanced north in the direction of the whaling fleet. It feasted on to the north whalers, but communicate with boats furthermore conveyed report of the Confederacy's slow demise. The head individual treaded a fine line between piracy and privateering in his denial to accept the truth that he was battling for a lost cause. The Shenandoah finally decimated 32 boats, ransomed six more, and accumulated 1,053 prisoners. The worth of the rewards totaled an outstanding $1.4 million. (Tom 2006)

Once the ship's raison d'etre disintegrated, the head individual contended with understanding his ambiguous instructions and propping up the crew's sagging morale. He disarmed the boat and determined to make the long trek to Liverpool. In the method, the Shenandoah enclosed the last of its 58,000 miles and submitted to English administration on November 6, 1865. Most of the agents and crew made their way back to the United States, whereas some moved to Argentina, not less than three moved to the Confederate colony of Carlota beside Vera Cruz, and one resided in Liverpool.

Tom Chaffin gives us an insight into a world seldom (if ever) seen by casual students of Civil War History. We get to see the behind the scenes diplomatic and espionage efforts in France and the U.K. as Union and Confederate navies struggled to fight a war of naval blockade running and commerce raiding. Chaffin also presents a very readable guide to the daily life and events of a Confederate Raider running at the close of the war.

3 Major Points From The Book

Tom Chaffin's new book, Sea of Gray: The Around-the-World Odyssey of the Confederate Raider Shenandoah, firstly provides an interesting account of the ship's circumnavigation of the globe but fails to address the larger questions of the Civil War.

Secondly, the book is strongest in its straightforward account of the Shenandoah's surprising voyage. Nautical details and attention to the rigors of life aboard the confined quarters of a commerce raider will appeal to Civil War buffs and others interested in maritime history. It is solidly researched and based on a number of journals left behind by the ship's officers. Unfortunately, few references encumber the book, limiting readers who desire more ...