 The local citizenry expressed great interest in the Confederate ship in Port Phillip Bay.While at Williamstown, James Iredell Waddell, the captain of the "Shenandoah" and his men participated in several "official functions" which the local citizens arranged in their honour, including a gala ball with the "cream of society" at Craig's Royal Hotel in Ballarat and at the Melbourne Club.Thousands of tourists came to see the ship every day, requiring special trains to accommodate them.