ow and Belfast. She
was a side-wheel of light draft, very strongly built and reputed to be
of great speed. She possessed the last quality, it is true, but not to
such a degree as represented, for her best rate of speed while under my
command never exceeded thirteen and a half knots. Under the same
instructions I was to examine the ship and if the inspection proved
favorable, the Major was to negotiate for the purchase. I have always
believed that some informal arrangement had been made between the
parties concerned during the Major's late visit to England. However that
may have been, we found, on our arrival in London that the Giraffe had
been sold within a day or two, to a company about to engage in
blockade-running. The manager of this company was Mr. Alexander Collie,
who subsequently made such immense ventures, and became so well known in
connection with blockade-running. The Major did not lose heart upon
learning that the Giraffe had changed hands, but all his efforts to get
possession of the vessel were unsuccessful, Mr. C. refusing to part with
her upon any terms. As a last resort the Major, whose resources were
almost inexhaustible, suggested that I should make an effort. All
difficulties instantly vanished, when I informed Mr. Collie that I held
a commission in the Confederate States Navy, and had been sent abroad to
buy a ship for the Confederate Government. He instantly agreed to
transfer possession for the amount paid by him, L32,000, stipulating,
however, that the steamer should not be sold, during the war, to private
parties without the consent of the company represented by him, who were
to have the refusal of her. Although these conditions conflicted with
certain arrangements made between the Confederate Secretary of War and
Major Ficklin, the latter assented to them; and the Giraffe became the
property of the Confederate States Government. The necessary alterations
to fit her for a blockade-runner were at once commenced. Her beautiful
saloon and cabins were dismantled and bulkheads constructed to separate
the quarters for officers and men from the space to be used for stowage
of a cargo. Purchases of arms, clothing, etc., were to be made; and
after much disgust and vexation of spirit, I employed Mr. Collie, who
was a shrewd and practical man of business, to make the purchases on
commission, while I found more congenial employment. Long afterwards,
when I got a friend in Richmond to prepare my accounts for