J. M. Chapman facts for kids
The J. M. Chapman was a sailing ship called a schooner. It weighed 90 tons. In 1863, a man named Asbury Harpending and others bought this ship in San Francisco, California. They were part of a group called the Knights of the Golden Circle. Their secret plan was to turn the J. M. Chapman into a Confederate privateer.
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The J. M. Chapman Schooner
A schooner is a type of sailing ship that has at least two masts. The J. M. Chapman was a medium-sized schooner. It was bought during the American Civil War.
A Secret Plan
Asbury Harpending had a bold plan. He wanted to use the J. M. Chapman to attack ships from the Pacific Mail Steamship Company. These ships traveled along the Pacific coast. They often carried valuable gold and silver shipments to Panama. Harpending intended to capture these treasures. He hoped to use the seized gold and silver to help the Confederacy.
Who Was Asbury Harpending?
Asbury Harpending was a young man from Kentucky. He supported the Confederacy. He moved to California during the Civil War. He became known for his efforts to help the Southern cause.
The Knights of the Golden Circle
The Knights of the Golden Circle was a secret society. They supported the Confederacy. This group had members in different parts of the United States. They aimed to help the Southern states.
The Plan Uncovered
The secret plan for the J. M. Chapman did not stay secret for long. Authorities found out about it. On the night the ship was supposed to leave, a group of people stopped it. This group included sailors from the United States Navy ship USS Cyane. It also included revenue officers and officers from the San Francisco Police Department. They boarded the J. M. Chapman and prevented it from sailing. They also stopped its crew.
The Ship's Final Voyage
The J. M. Chapman was later lost at sea. This happened in December 1864. The ship was on a voyage between Shoalwater Bay in Queensland, Australia, and San Francisco.
