Alfred Cheek to J. A. Paynter , Her Majesty’s Ship Donegal, January 26, 1866

Mr. Cheek to Captain Paynter.

Sir: In compliance with your order calling on me to report the proceeding on board the Shenandoah during her detention at this port by the British authorities, I have the honor inform you that agreeably to instructions dated November the 6th, 1865, I proceeded in his Majesty’s gunboat Goshawk, under my command, and lashed her alongside the vessel.

In the evening Captain Waddell informed me that the vessel having been taken charge by the custom-house authorities he considered himself, the officers, and crew relieved from all further charge and responsibility of the ship, and that his authority over the crew would also end.

The following day (November the 7th) the crew requested that I would allow them land, none of them having been on shore for more than nine months I told them that under the circumstances it was not in my power to grant it, and persuaded them to remain quit for a day or two, till orders could be received from London.

They then demanded to see my authority for detaining them. I explained that I act under orders from you. They replied that you could have no charge of them without instructions from Earl Russell, the foreign office, or the American minister, as they were American subjects.

This evening, as on the previous one, I succeeded in pacifying the crew by reasoning with them.

On the following morning (November the 8th) the crew were getting riotous, and determined to remain on board no longer—eight or ten had already deserted. I therefore, in a letter to you, explained the excited state the crew were in, and that I had heard from one or two of the officers their determination to leave the vessel that evening at all risks; I should therefore he compelled to let them escape, or else detain them by force.

The answer I received from you was that I was to act up to your orders, and the crew were to remain on board, but that you hoped soon to have instructions from London.

I would call your attention to the excited state of the crew by their conduct in attempting to desert, many of them jumping on board the steamer and trying to conceal themselves when you came to muster and examine them, on which occasion I accompanied you into the cabin and heard you question Captain Waddell as to whether he believed any of his crew to be British subjects; he replied in the negative, and stated that he had shipped them all at sea.

On your questioning the officers they also made the same statement.

The first lieutenant mustered the crew from a book of his own—the only list found on board—and you stopped and questioned the men as they passed before you.

Each one stated that he belonged to one or other of the States of America.

The personal baggage of the officers and craw was examined by the custom-house officers, to prevent any American property being taken on shore.

On the evening of the 9th of November, you again came on board the Shenandoah, and met the American consul in the cabin of a tug he had hired to bring him alongside. He then promised to send an officer to take charge of her, as a captured confederate cruiser, on behalf of the American government.

On the 10th of November Captain Freeman came on board and took charge, under orders from the American consul, and in compliance with your memorandum I handed the vessel and stores over to him.

On my leaving the Shenandoah Captain Freeman hoisted the American ensign and pendant, and proclaimed her a man-of-war.

During the time I was on board I received no information, nor could I obtain any evidence, that any of the crew were British subjects. Had I done so, I should have arrested them, and immediately communicated with you for further instructions.

I have, &c., &c.,