Lieutenant Carter returned to Liverpool on 28 September and was delighted to find Sea King already in hand. When informed of the mission, Bulloch consulted Commander Matthew Fontaine Maury, obtaining from him a set of charts containing migration paths of the great whales to augment the Brooke memo.
Maury, world-famous scientist and “Pathfinder of the Sea,” had conducted the first systematic study of the oceans as a U.S. Navy lieutenant and superintendent of the National Observatory in Washington. His most famous work, The Physical Geography of the Sea (1856), compiled study results and charts, generating a revolution in ocean trade. With this information, mariners more effectively plotted courses maximizing good and minimizing poor wind and sea conditions, which contributed significantly to the success of the clippers. Maury charts—created to aid the whaling industry—would now be used to help destroy it.
Bulloch had Sea King moved to London by a roundabout route resembling preparations for a trading venture, ostensibly to Asia. He stowed 800 tons of coal but added nothing of a warlike nature. Any alteration of internal arrangements or addition of equipment not consistent with a mercantile purpose and not required for the voyage would cause inquiry by Yankee agents and British authorities. He engaged the services of Captain Corbett, acquired a crew, and prepared papers for ownership transfer beyond British jurisdiction. He purchased Laurel—a new 269-ton iron screw steamer built for Liverpool-to-Ireland packet service—and advertised through an agent for a voyage to Matamoras via Havana and Nassau.
He appointed Captain Ramsay and loaded Laurel with crated and disguised cannon, munitions, small arms, equipment, and stores for a fifteen-month cruise. False bills of lading included ten tons of “machinery.” He quietly gathered Alabama veterans and other Confederate naval personnel from around the city. Their baggage was crated up and loaded as freight; passenger tickets were issued under assumed names. At about nine o’clock in the evening, a tug came to the wharf and inconspicuously loaded the men for transfer to Laurel at anchor. One was accompanied by his wife, who was to see him off so that onlookers would believe they were on a short excursion.
This strategy worked with Florida and Alabama, but shipyards and docks now were under extremely close surveillance. U.S. consuls had established a secret system of inspecting ships loading for foreign voyages. U.S. minister Adams informed the secretary of state for foreign affairs that British subjects were actively engaged in fitting out a vessel to resume the dirty work of Alabama. Secretary of State William H. Seward warned that the British government would be held accountable for depredations of a new cruiser. If customs officials could be persuaded that the Foreign Enlistment Act was being violated, the ship would be seized. Bulloch noted that Sea King was perhaps the only vessel of her type and class in Great Britain. Her “comely proportions and peculiarities of structure” and fitness for conversion to a cruiser were manifest. “I felt confident that the spies of the United States Consul would soon draw his attention to her, and that she would be keenly and suspiciously watched.”16
Bulloch prepared instructions for Lieutenant Whittle: He was to meet secretly with Richard Wright and Captain Corbett at a London hotel for consultation and would sail in Sea King to Madeira under the name McDonald. Corbett would not exchange signals with passing ships or at least not show official identification, and upon arrival he would hoist the recognition signal for Laurel rather than his own; she would respond with same. It was critical that Sea King’s movements not be reported. Whittle was to acquaint himself with the ship’s sailing qualities, observe the crew, inspect internal arrangements, learn stowage of provisions and stores, pick out positions for magazine and shell rooms, and discuss alterations with Corbett. Corbett remained legal commander, and for reasons of policy as well as courtesy, Whittle was to express all wishes as requests. When they joined Laurel, Whittle would report to Lieutenant Waddell and thereafter act under his instructions. “Relying upon your discretion and judgment, and earnestly wishing you a successful voyage, I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, James D. Bulloch.”17
Commodore Samuel Barron, commander of Confederate naval forces in Europe, appointed Waddell as commanding officer. Bulloch issued him instructions for a cruise “in the far-distant Pacific, into the seas and among the islands frequented by the great American whaling fleet.” In light of vast distances to be covered, difficulties of transforming a merchant vessel to a warship at sea, and isolation from aid and comfort of their countrymen, continued Bulloch, “a letter of specific instructions would be wholly superfluous.” He then proceeded to do just that, expounding “purely advisory” remarks of over 3,500 words concerning the rendezvous, conversion, and coordination with both Captain Corbett and Captain Ramsay. He commented on navigation based on examination of Pacific Ocean charts and advice from Carter and Brooke. Every precaution was to be observed to prevent the direction or intent of the voyage being known in Europe. When Laurel reached Nassau, everything would be exposed, but by then Shenandoah would be beyond interference. “In moments of doubt, when unlooked-for obstacles and apparent troubles are found in your path, that happy inspiration which rarely fails the right-minded officer, who is earnestly intent upon his duty, will come to your aid, and you will thus intuitively perceive the most judicious course of action.”18
Bulloch instructed Waddell to strike southward from Madeira using the northeast trade winds, cross the equator through the Doldrums applying the engine as necessary, and make the southeast trades in a favorable position to weather the Brazil coast. Avoiding the vicinity of Cape Town, Waddell was to continue well south into the steady southwest winds of the higher latitudes and by 1 January pass the Cape of Good Hope at 45° south. There the cruise would properly begin. Due to unknown sources of supply in the Pacific, Waddell should husband coal, acquiring what he could at Sydney or Melbourne and among the islands through which he passed. Brooke’s memo would guide him from there. By the time Waddell reached the position north of Oahu, continued Bulloch, the ship probably would need repairs. If she were still sound, Waddell could proceed to Valparaiso for news. If she were no longer fit for service, he should sell her, preferably in South America or Asia, and release the crew.19
Waddell should avoid returning to Europe, where “[Shenandoah’s] presence might give rise to harassing questions and complications.” He was provided with ample cruising funds but would draw supplies from prizes. He carried £2,000 in gold, £2,000 in marginal credits on the Bank of Liverpool, and a letter of credit from Messrs. Fraser, Trenholm & Co. for £1,000 to use at Sydney or Melbourne. Bulloch would write privately and forward letters via Manila to Waddell at the island of Guam in the Ladrones Islands, but official documents could not be trusted by that route. Waddell should direct progress reports from wherever possible to Fraser, Trenholm & Co. of Liverpool; Bulloch would forward them to the navy department. “I can think of nothing else worthy of special remark. You have a fine-spirited body of young men under your command, and may reasonably expect to perform good and efficient service. I earnestly wish you Godspeed. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, James D. Bulloch, Commander, C. S. Navy.”20
Commodore Barron added his cautions: Waddell was to remember that many American ships had been sold to the British, were now under protection of a neutral flag, and could not be harmed. He must observe strictest regard for neutral rights, lose no opportunity to cultivate friendly relations with naval and merchant services, and place “the true character of the contest in which we are engaged in its proper light.” Waddell must not hesitate to assume responsibility whenever the interests of his country demanded it. He was above all “to do the enemy’s property the greatest injury in the shortest time.” The maintenance of strict naval discipline would be essential to success; he must enjoin this principle upon the officers and “enforce its rigid observance, always tempering justice with humane and kind treatment.”21
Despite efforts of Union officials, Sea King glided unchallenged down the Thames and slipped into the English Channel on the morning of 8 October 1864. Laurel cleared Liverpool that night. “The entire expedition is far away at sea,” reported Bulloch to Secretary Mallory, beyond interference by any U.S. authority in Europe. Minister Adams