Born in 1828 near Kelso in the Scottish Borders, Wyllie went to sea
as an apprentice seaman in 1852 and quickly rose through the ranks.
By 1862 he had gained his masters certificate in Liverpool, and
there he took command of his first vessel, the Bonita. He sailed
for Nassau, then a booming port involved in running contraband
through the Union blockade of the Confederate States, at that time
fighting in the American Civil War. Sailors from Britain rushed to
man these vessels as great fortunes could be made if a successful
run was made into a Confederate port. On the return journey, two
agents of the State of North Carolina, Thomas Crossan and John
White, were travelling to Britain on the orders of Governor Zebulon
Vance to purchase ships to run the blockade. This set Wyllie's
career as a blockade runner on course. White and Crossan arranged
the purchase of the Clyde-built paddle steamer Lord Clyde and, just
five months after docking in Liverpool as commander of the Bonita,
Wyllie took command of the Lord Clyde, renamed the Ad-Vance. He was
aboard from the start of the vessel's new career until her capture
in September 1864. Two more commands of blockade runners followed;
he was captured again and then evaded the American authorities
through an ingenious, and at sometimes unbelievable, escape to
Scotland. After the war Wyllie continued at sea for another two
years before returning to Scotland to settle as a farmer. Unlike
some of those who ran the blockade, Wyllie appears not to have come
back a wealthy man. For over 30 years he gave numerous popular
lectures of his time at sea in aid of local charities and was known
locally as 'Captain Wyllie'. The role that Wyllie played during the
Civil War is explored in depth and reveals that he was a constant
face, and force, in the crew of the steamer with his actions and
abilities being greatly appreciated by both crew and owners alike.
The most comprehensive history of the Ad-Vance is provided, from
the day she left Glasgow until her capture off the Carolina coast.
Many fascinating contemporary passenger diaries, personal
recollections from crew, letters and telegrams between Wyllie and
Governor Vance, official records of the war and newspaper reports
are included. In association with Glasgow Museums.
General
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