At the start of the American Civil War in 1861, almost all European nations favoured the South, the Confederacy. Much of the English economy was centred on cotton and the South had provided most of the raw material that was needed.
France and Britain had become allies against Russia during the Crimean War and all signs pointed to another war against Russia in the near future. Poland had been absorbed by Russia. The Poles revolted the same year the Civil War started in America. Britain, France, and other nations objected to the brutality of the Russian response and that was enough to start war clouds those days in Europe.
Czar Alexander was worried that if war broke out, the British and French navies would bottle up his naval fleets in the Black and Baltic Seas as had happened during the Crimean War. Determined not to have this happen again, he approved a plan one of his admirals came up with to deal with the problem. Why not sail the ships - one by one so as to not raise suspicions - to neutral ports where they would be safe? Then they could sail out as commerce raiders from time to time or just stay at anchor until it was safe for all to come out. The ships each had two years worth of money to cover expenses and were authorized to act independently as commerce raiders if war came.
So, the Russian ships in the Mediterranean, the Pacific, and the Baltic were sent to New York on the East Coast and San Francisco on the West, one ship visiting Esquimalt on Vancouver Island her stealthy way to San Francisco. Six Russian ships anchored in the city's harbour. When a fire broke out in the city, Russian sailors ran ashore to help put it out, cementing the friendship even more.
The Americans were delighted, opening their naval bases for repairs, holding fancy charity balls and banquets to raise money for the Russian sailors, and generally welcoming the Russians to their cities. One of the Russians in New York was the composer Rimsky Korsakov who much enjoyed his stay in the New World.
Relations between America and Britain took a turn for the worst during the Trent Affair, the topic of last week's column. There were no American naval ships of any consequence on the Pacific. The many San Francisco newspapers fed the fire of fear telling one and all that if war came with Britain the Royal Navy ships at Esquimalt could shell the defenseless city at will. It was also possible that Confederate ships might do the same. Fear built up, stopping short of panic.
Then, salvation. The orders came to the Russian sailors that "the ships... are bound in all measures to assist the authorities of every place where friendship is offered them, in all measures which may be deemed necessary by the local authorities, to repel attempt against the security of the place".
Shortly after came another order which confirmed, "...you have the right, in the name of humanity, and not for political reasons, to prevent this misfortune (an attack by British or Confederate ships". These orders effectively put the Russian ships under the obligation to protect the cities from any attack. While Russia would remain neutral, her ships were ready to help the North if they were needed.
Finally, the threat of Britain/Russian conflict melted away. After hosting a grand party in Washington D.C., the ships returned to Russia where most of the officers and crew were lauded and promoted by Czar Alexander II. American Secretary of State Seward noted "Russia has our friendship, in every case, in preference to any other European nation, simply as she always wishes us well, and leaves us to conduct our affairs as we think best."
Contrast that to Russian/American relations in 2018.
