I know some folks on this forum have relics from the Minho. I ran across this short account of the ship's career as a blockade runner. I thought it might be of interest.
The Minho was built in Paisley, Scotland in 1854. Propeller driven with an Iron hull. She reflected the nautical and engineering technology which was not widely used until the 1870's. The Minho was 1753 feet in length with a 22 foot bean and displaced 399 tons.
The vessel was engaged in commerce service in British waters until April 1862, and subsequently purchased by George Wigg, a member of Frasier, Tresholm and Co., conducting business for the Confederacy in England. Between April and September 1862, the Minho completed five successful voyages through the Union blockade with profitable cargoes.
In September 1862 she was sold to the Navigation Company and during the night of October 20, 1862 made her sixth, and last attempt, to penetrate the blockade at Charleston, South Carolina. Pursued by Federal warships, her captain ran the Minho, at full speed, onto Bowman's Jetty off Sulivan's Island. The vessel grounded amidships on the rocks under the guns of Fort Moultrie. The ship was later auctioned for $6000 and her new owners salvaged a cargo of luxury goods. The Minho's rusting hull remained visible until the early 1870's, when the U.S. Corps of Engineers issued contracts to shorten the jetty and remove the wreck.
On August 31, 1985, divers Howard B. Tower Jr. and J. Larry Tipping discovered the remains of the Minho during an archaeological survey licensed by the State of South Carolina. The divers formed a partnership with H. Michael Zafoot and obtained a salvage license on December 15, 1985.
The Minho was built in Paisley, Scotland in 1854. Propeller driven with an Iron hull. She reflected the nautical and engineering technology which was not widely used until the 1870's. The Minho was 1753 feet in length with a 22 foot bean and displaced 399 tons.
The vessel was engaged in commerce service in British waters until April 1862, and subsequently purchased by George Wigg, a member of Frasier, Tresholm and Co., conducting business for the Confederacy in England. Between April and September 1862, the Minho completed five successful voyages through the Union blockade with profitable cargoes.
In September 1862 she was sold to the Navigation Company and during the night of October 20, 1862 made her sixth, and last attempt, to penetrate the blockade at Charleston, South Carolina. Pursued by Federal warships, her captain ran the Minho, at full speed, onto Bowman's Jetty off Sulivan's Island. The vessel grounded amidships on the rocks under the guns of Fort Moultrie. The ship was later auctioned for $6000 and her new owners salvaged a cargo of luxury goods. The Minho's rusting hull remained visible until the early 1870's, when the U.S. Corps of Engineers issued contracts to shorten the jetty and remove the wreck.
On August 31, 1985, divers Howard B. Tower Jr. and J. Larry Tipping discovered the remains of the Minho during an archaeological survey licensed by the State of South Carolina. The divers formed a partnership with H. Michael Zafoot and obtained a salvage license on December 15, 1985.