MERSEYSIDE'S role in the American Civil War has been recognised by a historical group backed by the White House. Wirral and Liverpool played a vital part in the fight between the North and South in the US, with local firms and groups providing ships and funding. Now they have been named an American Civil War Heritage Site, only the second place outside the US to achieve this. Both local authorities are now mapping out a tourist trail incorporating historical sites on both sides of the Mersey. Cllr Pat Hackett, cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: "This is a great honour for Merseyside and strengthens our historic bonds with the United States. "There is no understating the importance of the part played by Wirral and Liverpool in the American Civil War." The decision was made by the White House-sponsored Civil War Preservation Trust. The Confederate warship CSS Alabama was built in number four dry dock at Cammell Lairds, Birkenhead - now a Grade II--listed site. It was bought by James D Bulloch as purchasing agent for the Navy department from John Laird. Historian Len Collins said: "Bulloch was constantly monitored by the Union agent in Liverpool, Thomas Haynes Dudley, who had offices in the Tower buildings which also housed the Union depository at Baring Bros Bank. "At the end of the war, because the UK was supposed to be neutral during the American Civil War but in fact supplied many ships of war and armaments built on Merseyside, the US government took the British Government to the first international tribunal. "The tribunal awarded America $15,000,000 for all the merchant shipping they had lost." The last formal surrender of the American Civil War took place aboard the CSS Shenandoah off the coast of Tranmere, more than six months after the end of the war which ran from 1861-1865. A series of pro-emancipation meetings took place at the Argyle Buildings, Brassey Street, Birkenhead. The Union had a small depository in Tower Buildings, Liverpool. The heritage trail, expected to be completed later this year, will link historical sites of Civil War interest and mark them with plaques in a bid to encourage greater numbers of heritage tourists travelling from America. The preservation trust, which has around 70,000 members, conferred the award after Wirral Council and local historians identified more than a dozen key Civil War sites locally. Jim Lighthizer, president of the Civil War Preservation Trust, added: "The Civil War touched many corners of the world, perhaps none more so than Merseyside. "Between the blockade runners, providing supplies and funds for both Union and Confederate causes, and the intrigues of Union and Confederate agents, Merseyside was a significant front in this war. We are happy to finally recognise its important role." A delegation from the group will visit Merseyside later this year to make the official presentation. samlister @dailypost.co.uk | 
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