Running the blockade, Crimea War

[MontyPiefan]

Hello. I am new to the forum, and I have a query which I am hoping someone might be able to answer for me.

I am researching one of my ancestors who was a master mariner during the time of the Crimean War.

I have located an obituary which his local paper published after his death (at the age of 90, in 1909) and among other things it says: "During the Crimean War he ran the blockade with a cargo of cattle," and in fact a sub-heading to the story reads just that: "Ran the Blockade During the Crimean War."

I was under the impression that it was the British and allied forces who were operating a blockade of various ports to stop the Russians gaining access to them, in which case what was my ancestor doing trying to overcome the blockade (which is what I presume was meant by the word 'ran')? Or have I got the wrong 'take' on this?

If anybody could offer any suggestions as to the likely scenario I would be very grateful.