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. 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.

This will be of immense interest to followers of military history, especially of the American Civil War, but also those who enjoy naval and maritime history.

'...is a book that shows just how good a modern biography can be... he lived a long and exciting and absolutely fascinating life and author John F. Messner can be congratulated in bringing Wyllie to the page in a way that is beautifully and compellingly written... illuminates an intruiging corner of the story of the Amercian Civil War... an extremely impressive book... We'd highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in nautical history and Scotland's place within it'. Undiscovered Scotland

'...the volume is aesthetically attractive... There's a great variety of documentary extras, data tables, ship histories, and more in the appendix secion, too. Nice looking book'. Civil War Books and Authors

'...is a wonderful insight into a fascinating life, with a potted history of Wyllie's time onboard Ad-Vance and also featuring a collection of passenger diaries, memories from crew members, official war records and telegrams between the commander and officials on dry land. A truly inspiring read'. Our Man on the Ground Travel and Lifestyle

'This is a  fascinating, well researched account of Wyllie's life at sea, recreating the excitement and greed that accompanied the blockade runners'. historyofwar.org

'...features tales of maritime adventure from voyages across the globe, first-hand accounts of Wyllie's time on the Ad-Vance, and the most comprehensive history of the Ad-Vance ever to be published'. The Saint Andrew's Society of San Francisco

'Sheds light on adventure on the the high seas and the importance of a Scottish mariner who became one of the most successful runners of the American Civil war'. The Scotsman Magazine 

' Best of all in this page-turner of a book are the accounts of the blockade-running itself, which are like something from a classic adventure story'. Nautilus International

'.. is more than an exposition of a blackade runner it also tells the story of a fascinating life lived by John 'Joannes' Wyllie....is impeccably researched....a useful reference source as well as an informative and enjoyable read. Highly recommended.' American Civil War Round Table United Kingdom

'A thoroughly researched and enjoyable dive into the lesser-known world of European involvement in the Civil war'. Britain At War

'new research has now revealed that Joannes Wyllie was a constant force of the vessel's operations and success from the day it left Scotland.....has revealed a fuller picture of his life, from the early days as a teacher, his quite amazing adventures at sea before the war, and his pivotal role in the success of the Ad-Vance.' Sea History

'a biography of the fascinating Joannes Wyllie and second, it is a terrific history of the blockade runner Ad-Vance. Messner brings Wyllie's story to life... is well-researched, well-written and much more richly illustrated than most'. The North Carolina Military Historical Society

' Hats off to him for what is an object lesson in historical research into Wyllie and the Ad-Vance....make the book of interest both to Liverpool maritime and ACW historians. as a bonus the book is also copiously illustrated'. Liverpool History Society

' takes a deep dive into this mariner, his life before going to sea, life on the water, and the quiet life after returning to land through many secondary sources.' Nautical Research Journal 

'his exploits certainly make hand gripping reading- subsequently he was even captured on a couple of occasions, shipped to New York for trial but twice managed to escape, board a British ship in harbour and get home... a most remarkable man and an enthralling read'. Borders Family History Society Magazine

' New book reveals remarkable Fife son's gun-running role in American Civil War...explores in depth the role he played during the civil war when he was a constant face, and force, in the crew of the steamer.' Fife Today

‘… is a scholarly, highly detailed book… …provides  an  excellent  contribution to the maritime history literature providing primary source data concerning the role and difficulties of foreign blockade runners during the American Civil War.’ The Northern Mariner, the journal of the Canadian Nautical Research Society and the North American Society for Oceanic History

'...Messner has expertly gathered and synthesized a broad array of sources to piece together Wyllie’s story in vivid detail. ... This fascinating, well researched, and lavishly illustrated story will be of great interest to readers interested in naval history, the role of North Carolina in the conflict, and great adventure stories of the Civil War more generally'. The Mariners Mirror, The International Quarterly Journal of The Society for Nautical Research

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