The Blockade Runners

Originally attached to A Floating City on publication, this short story is the more interesting of the two. Attempting to run the Union blockade of the Confederacy, the Captain is seen the error of his ways by the daughter and servant of an imprisoned abolitionist who he ends up rescuing. Although Melville and Conrad are usually touted as two of the most perceptive writers of the sea, Jules Verne deserves to be placed alongside them. He might have been a land-lubber but he knew his boats. One amusing moment is when the Captain asks for more speed and the crewman (the ship is from Glasgow) replies along the lines of 'the engines cannae take it!'

A fairly unremarkable story of a ship from Scotland running the blockade of Charleston, Virginia, during the American Civil War by smuggling arms to the South. However, their mission changes when a new "cabin boy" and his "uncle", a sailor who joins the ship at the last moment, turn out to be the daughter of a Northern Anti-Slavery activist and her protector. The daughter falls in love with the Captain and they rescue the father. Verne's interest in America and Scotland come through in the detailed descriptions, but otherwise this is of little note. During the early chapters while the author seemed to be very much on the side of the South, I was reminded that his mother's family were slave traders in Nantes in the early 19th century.

Exciting adventure, and sweet romance. One of Verne's better novellas.
Definately worth a read!

VG