Ghost Mine Episode 2

"What did the Australian authorities do?"

"The British controlled Australia, and Britain was neutral in the Civil War. The Governor allowed the ship to refuel and make repairs. He ordered that no ammunition could be supplied, and no men from Victoria could join the ship to fight the Yankees."

"Did the Australians do what the British ordered them to do?"

"No they didn't. The "Shenandoah's" Commander, Leiutenant James Waddell promised not to recruit anyone. But Australia was a real frontier back then, and Melbourne was very isolated."

"Yeah, and a lot of Australians didn't like the British governement and its harsh laws. The Ballarat miners stood up to the British in their stand at the Eureka Stockade - but that was ten years earlier, I think."

"Right. But the Ballarat problems were still going on. Lieutenant Waddell stirred things up. Supporters in Melbourne gave him and his officers train tickets for Ballarat. They looked dashing in their grey uniforms and oozed southern charm. They told exciting war stories and were an instant hit in Ballarat - especially since many miners had come to Victoria from California."

"So, welcoming the Confederates was a form of protest by the miners, really."

"Yes. All of Ballarat turned out to meet them. There was a huge arch of flowers in the main street and a rich American miner held a ball in their honour. And when the "Shenandoah" sailed again, lots of discontented miners went with her."