‘An enthralling account of a remarkable but until now neglected episode of Scottish history’ – Scotsman
‘Well-researched and highly readable…a major contribution to a little-know aspect of Scottish history’ – Scots Magazine
‘This is a fascinating and very full account of Scotland’s part in a very private war’ – Scotland Magazine
The Civil War of 1861–65 was one of the defining moments in the history of America. The Blockade of the US Southern ports during the war is well known. Less well known, however, is the role that Scotland played in this aspect of the conflict – almost 40 per cent of the ships were Scottish. This should not be surprising, however: at the time the fastest ships in the world were Clydebuilt, so it was natural that the Confederacy should turn to Scotland in their desperate bid to beat the tightening Northern Blockade. The ideological conflict unfolding between American anti-slavery supporters and anti-abolitionists also spread to the other side of the Atlantic and forced the Scots to examine their own values, polarising opinions and forcing the individual to reassess their position concerning basic human rights.
Using contemporary accounts and individual case studies, combined, Clyde Built presents a full and fascinating account of Scotland’s involvement in the American Civil War Blockade, an involvement which almost certainly prolonged the conflict by several years.
Eric Graham studied Scottish and Maritime History at Strathclyde and Exeter universities. He is widely published in journals and is a regular reviewer for academic journals. As a professional researcher, he has been engaged on major projects such as the Historical Association to Lloyd’s Register of Shipping and Historical Consultant to Historic Scotland.
Tom Devine is Glucksman Professor of Irish and Scottish Studies and Director of the AHRB Centre for Irish and Scottish Studies at the University of Aberdeen. He takes up the Sir William Fraser Chair of Scottish History at the University of Edinburgh in January 2006.
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