The Shenandoah Affair [Sharon Hollingsworth]

The Civil War ship, the C.S.S. Shenandoah, was a Confederate raider that docked in Melbourne in 1865 causing sensation amongst the populace and almost sparking an international incident. As an aside, when the Shenandoah arrived in Australia they were met with the news that Washington, North Carolina had fallen to Union forces (quite an uncanny coincidence, as that was my hometown). The Shenandoah's Captain, James Waddell, was himself a North Carolina native.

The arrival of the Shenandoah in Melbourne would have been around the time that young Ned Kelly saved the drowning Richard Shelton at Avenel (but some say he saved young Shelton in 1866). We can only wonder what young Ned had heard (and thought) about all the drama surrounding the Shenandoah (never realising that himself in several years time would make the same splash in the headlines). It had to have been on everyone's lips in Victoria as literally thousands thronged the ship during the first few days she was in port.

Several key Kelly players were involved with the Shenandoah while in
Melbourne, among them Charles Nicolson, Frederick Standish, Henry Gurner, Arthur Chomley, Graham Berry and Dr. Edward Barker. Dr. Barker was referred to only as "Dr. B." by a midshipman who was amongst those from the Shenandoah invited to a formal dinner at the Melbourne Club.  Dr. B. sat beside Midshipman Mason and talked non-stop about the art and science of hanging criminals. I surmised from just that bit that it was Dr. Barker as he had done the same thing at the post-execution (of Ned Kelly) lunch gathering at which he expounded at length on the subject in 1880. Then I did some follow up and read the actual diary/journal entries of the midshipman and he then made other references that confirmed to me it was indeed Barker. His reputation proceeds him, does it not?


I urge all to search out more about the Shenandoah and her sojourn in Australia, it is quite fascinating reading. There are many non-fiction books about the whole incident and I know of at least one fictional one, an historical romance written by Paul Williams called "The Shenandoah Affair" published in 1992. (Williams also wrote the non-fiction "Matthew Brady and Ned Kelly : Kindred Spirits, Kindred Lives.") Brian Stevenson sent me a copy of "The Shenandoah Affair" a few years back and I have read it at least three times, it is that good! Of course, many of the events are merely fabrications, but the historical aspects were handled very well and you feel like you were actually there as Williams is such a good writer. You get a real feel of how things were for the crew and the public alike during those exciting times.

In the acknowledgements for the book it says:
This book is a novel, but all quotations from, or references to affidavits, newspaper stories, parliamentary debates and official communications are factual.

Standish is not mentioned by name in it, but "Detective Superintendent Nicolson," Henry Gurner, Graham Berry and "Mr. Chomley" are in the book. Gurner is a most amusing character, always being a slave to his appetite! Capt. Waddell was a slave to quite another appetite! My favourite line from the book: "But each turn of the propeller took him swiftly away from the woman who had evoked in him such bittersweet emotions: frustration, joy, lust and anger, but above all, the savage love he had never experienced before." Good stuff!! Of course, there is enough of the nautical and historical stuff to offset the romance so men can enjoy the book too!

I have been looking around the net and I don't see if for sale new at this time but there are some for sale on the secondary market that run the gamut from $8 to $80! (I am hanging on to my copy!) Reminds me of the prequel to "Somewhere in Time" called "Memoirs of Elise" that was going for $65 and up secondhand when I found a mint copy for 99 cents at the Salvation Army Thrift Store! You can well imagine my delight that day!

Maybe some libraries down under might have copies of "The Shenandoah Affair"?

Or perhaps it will be reprinted in light of the fact that it is being made into a movie:

http://www.inov8entertainment.com/102/Current_Projects_innovate_entertainment/Current-Projects-innovate-entertainment.html

If the film is half as good as the book it should be a corker!

UPDATE: THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION OF THE SHENANDOAH AFFAIR IS NOW AVAILABLE AT AMAZON.COM

 GO HERE FOR DETAILS:

  http://elevenmilecreek.blogspot.com/2012/05/20th-anniversary-edition-of-shenandoah.html