After the loss of the "Alabama", Bulloch returned to Liverpool. He was sent out on the "Laurel" in October 1864 to join the CSS "Shenandoah" as sailing master. Irvine navigated the "Shenandoah" from just off San Francisco back to Liverpool, arriving on November 6, 1865. Upon his return to Liverpool, Irvine discovered that he had been promoted to lieutenant, but had no government to serve in that capacity as the Civil War was over and the Confederacy had collapsed into history.