William Watson and the Rob Roy : the adventures and a Civil War blockade runner / Walter E. Wilson.
| Author/creator | Wilson, Walter E., 1949- author. |
| Format | Book |
| Publication | Jefferson, North Carolina : McFarland and Company, Inc., Publishers, [2026] |
| Copyright Date | ©2026 |
| Description | vi, 244 pages : illustrations, maps ; 26 cm |
| Subjects |
| Physical medium | illustrations. |
| Physical medium | maps. |
| Contents | The adventure begins -- From merchantman to blockade runner -- De los Brazos de Dios a las Manos del Diablo -- More than a sinking feeling -- Captain Dave's exciting sea story -- Ready, ... set, ... Wait ... -- Secret agents, spies, and betrayal -- Men of affairs : the intelligentsia in Tampico and Havana -- Back to Texas : "a right down swindle" -- Captain Dave's exciting sea story ; the sequel -- Preparing for another run through the blockade -- From Galveston to Tampico and Havana -- Phantom voyages Part 1: From Havana to Texas -- Phantom voyages Part 2: Galveston to Vera Cruz and Havana -- The demise of Rob Roy, blockade running, and the Confederacy -- Appendix 1: Rob Roy and Henry Laverty, the prequel -- Appendix 2: Blockade running or smuggling -- Appendix 3. Blockade runs of the SS Alice (aka Matagorda) -- Appendix 4: Cast of characters -- Appendix 5: Naval order of battle -- Appendix 6: The Civil War voyages of Rob Roy -- Appendix 7: Nautical tonnage and Rob Roy (Francis Marquez, Jr and James Cartey) |
| Abstract | "The Rob Roy may be the American Civil War's most famous blockade running schooner. Its fame stems from the spellbinding wartime memoir of its owner and captain, William Watson. This obscure but articulate Scotsman's rollicking tale is a standard maritime reference for scholars and students of America's most tragic conflict. However, his sea story is only partly true. It blends verifiable facts with liberal doses of exaggeration and omission. It was his story after all, and he saw no harm in making himself its hero. This first-ever critical examination of William Watson's "eyewitness" account relies on widely dispersed contemporary accounts and official reports. The narrative fills in the gaps that Watson left untold and exposes the true history of the people and events surrounding his blockade running adventures. In some cases, the truth is even more remarkable than Watson's fictional version. The resulting saga captures the excitement of this inherently dangerous business with long-deserved historical accuracy."--Back cover. |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references (page 231-236) and index. |
| Genre/form | Personal narratives, Confederate. |
| Genre/form | Biographies. |
| Genre/form | Personal narratives. |
| Genre/form | Biographies. |
| Genre/form | Récits personnels. |
| LCCN | 2025048354 |
| ISBN | 9781476699035 |
| ISBN | 1476699038 paperback |
| ISBN | electronic book |
| ISBN | electronic book |
Availability
| Library | Location | Call Number | Status | Item Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joyner | Order on Demand Title | Order On Demand | ✔ Available | Click to order this title |