David Alexander was born in Scotland and was one of many who migrated to Australia. Upon his arrival in the state of Victoria, Australia, Alexander made his home in the area of Melbourne and was living there when the "CSS Shenandoah", a Confederate Cruiser, arrived at the Mersey Bar in Port Phillip Bay; on November 6, 1865. In Port Phillip Bay its Commander, Lieutenant Waddell, stood the "Shenandoah" off the entrance to Port Phillip and requested a Harbour Pilot. Harbour Pilot Edward Johnson responded, but upon reaching the ship related that orders prevented him from bringing a belligerent ship into harbour without good cause. Lieutenant Waddell responded that he had problems with the propeller shafting on the "Shenandoah", which was a good enough for Pilot Johnson. Waiting off the heads, a health official also boarded the "Shenandoah" and reported that the Confederates would find many friends in Melbourne, but warned they would also fine enemies awaiting them as well.
David Alexander soon received word that the Confederate Cruiser, "CSS Shenandoah", had arrived in Port Phillip Bay on January 25, 1865. It sailed into Melbourne to make repairs, take on new supplies and if possible recruit new crewmembers; even though it was illegal to do so in a neutral port. Learning that the "Shenandoah" had arrived in Melbourne and was interested in acquiring new crewmembers, Alexander, ignoring public declarations that no Australian was to board the "Shenandoah" for any reason, he went aboard with others during the night of February 17, 1865; being assisted by crewmembers in avoiding detection by those ashore. After the "Shenandoah" had been repaired, resupplied, sailed and had entered international waters, Alexander became a member of the crew by placing his mark beside his name, and was given the rank of a Petty Officer, serving as a Corporal in the Confederate States Marine Corps; on February 18th, 1865, accepting a pay rate of $18.00. Alexander was also one of the signatories who expressed confidence in the command of Lieutenant James I. Waddell, in a petition dated September 1865.
Alexander continued serving on the "Shenandoah" until it was officially surrendered by Lieutenant James Waddell to British Captain Paynter, commanding Her Majesty's ship "Donegal, in Liverpool, England; on November 6, 1865. Upon its surrender, Alexander joined the crew ashore and was said to have eventually returned to Australia.
David Alexander soon received word that the Confederate Cruiser, "CSS Shenandoah", had arrived in Port Phillip Bay on January 25, 1865. It sailed into Melbourne to make repairs, take on new supplies and if possible recruit new crewmembers; even though it was illegal to do so in a neutral port. Learning that the "Shenandoah" had arrived in Melbourne and was interested in acquiring new crewmembers, Alexander, ignoring public declarations that no Australian was to board the "Shenandoah" for any reason, he went aboard with others during the night of February 17, 1865; being assisted by crewmembers in avoiding detection by those ashore. After the "Shenandoah" had been repaired, resupplied, sailed and had entered international waters, Alexander became a member of the crew by placing his mark beside his name, and was given the rank of a Petty Officer, serving as a Corporal in the Confederate States Marine Corps; on February 18th, 1865, accepting a pay rate of $18.00. Alexander was also one of the signatories who expressed confidence in the command of Lieutenant James I. Waddell, in a petition dated September 1865.
Alexander continued serving on the "Shenandoah" until it was officially surrendered by Lieutenant James Waddell to British Captain Paynter, commanding Her Majesty's ship "Donegal, in Liverpool, England; on November 6, 1865. Upon its surrender, Alexander joined the crew ashore and was said to have eventually returned to Australia.
David Alexander was born in Scotland and was one of many who migrated to Australia. Upon his arrival in the state of Victoria, Australia, Alexander made his home in the area of Melbourne and was living there when the "CSS Shenandoah", a Confederate Cruiser, arrived at the Mersey Bar in Port Phillip Bay; on November 6, 1865. In Port Phillip Bay its Commander, Lieutenant Waddell, stood the "Shenandoah" off the entrance to Port Phillip and requested a Harbour Pilot. Harbour Pilot Edward Johnson responded, but upon reaching the ship related that orders prevented him from bringing a belligerent ship into harbour without good cause. Lieutenant Waddell responded that he had problems with the propeller shafting on the "Shenandoah", which was a good enough for Pilot Johnson. Waiting off the heads, a health official also boarded the "Shenandoah" and reported that the Confederates would find many friends in Melbourne, but warned they would also fine enemies awaiting them as well.
David Alexander soon received word that the Confederate Cruiser, "CSS Shenandoah", had arrived in Port Phillip Bay on January 25, 1865. It sailed into Melbourne to make repairs, take on new supplies and if possible recruit new crewmembers; even though it was illegal to do so in a neutral port. Learning that the "Shenandoah" had arrived in Melbourne and was interested in acquiring new crewmembers, Alexander, ignoring public declarations that no Australian was to board the "Shenandoah" for any reason, he went aboard with others during the night of February 17, 1865; being assisted by crewmembers in avoiding detection by those ashore. After the "Shenandoah" had been repaired, resupplied, sailed and had entered international waters, Alexander became a member of the crew by placing his mark beside his name, and was given the rank of a Petty Officer, serving as a Corporal in the Confederate States Marine Corps; on February 18th, 1865, accepting a pay rate of $18.00. Alexander was also one of the signatories who expressed confidence in the command of Lieutenant James I. Waddell, in a petition dated September 1865.
Alexander continued serving on the "Shenandoah" until it was officially surrendered by Lieutenant James Waddell to British Captain Paynter, commanding Her Majesty's ship "Donegal, in Liverpool, England; on November 6, 1865. Upon its surrender, Alexander joined the crew ashore and was said to have eventually returned to Australia.
David Alexander soon received word that the Confederate Cruiser, "CSS Shenandoah", had arrived in Port Phillip Bay on January 25, 1865. It sailed into Melbourne to make repairs, take on new supplies and if possible recruit new crewmembers; even though it was illegal to do so in a neutral port. Learning that the "Shenandoah" had arrived in Melbourne and was interested in acquiring new crewmembers, Alexander, ignoring public declarations that no Australian was to board the "Shenandoah" for any reason, he went aboard with others during the night of February 17, 1865; being assisted by crewmembers in avoiding detection by those ashore. After the "Shenandoah" had been repaired, resupplied, sailed and had entered international waters, Alexander became a member of the crew by placing his mark beside his name, and was given the rank of a Petty Officer, serving as a Corporal in the Confederate States Marine Corps; on February 18th, 1865, accepting a pay rate of $18.00. Alexander was also one of the signatories who expressed confidence in the command of Lieutenant James I. Waddell, in a petition dated September 1865.
Alexander continued serving on the "Shenandoah" until it was officially surrendered by Lieutenant James Waddell to British Captain Paynter, commanding Her Majesty's ship "Donegal, in Liverpool, England; on November 6, 1865. Upon its surrender, Alexander joined the crew ashore and was said to have eventually returned to Australia.
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