Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-08-06
THE nRnIsE 0R TILE FLORIDA

We have had the pleasure OF an interview with VIM.
Blssell, Of the of the steamer Florida,
who has kindly furnished with the subjoined com.
plete list OF the prizes taken by that vessel during her
present cruise. This list has never before been pub
sbed entire although notices of the several captures
have appeared from time to time in the Northern and
Southern press The story Of her achievements reads
like a romance, and will some day engage the pen of
anothr Cooper or Capt. Aarryett
The Florida 0reto called from Mobile on the lGh
day Of Jsnuary last, at which port she shipped the
larger portion o! her crew. who mainly English and
IRISH. She tas since added number from the crews
OF captured vessels Bassel himself Is Prussian, and
a OF more than ordinary intel igence. BE repre-.
rents the Fiorida's picked men, the disc
pine board perfect aud indeed severe, but no
than is necessary for q man-OWar; the OH
GERS unive sally esteemed. The service Is arduous
in many respects, and rendered doubly so by the
Disadvantages which they suffer from the anomalous
position OF the Confederate navy, and the privileges
from which they are barred When coaling from
prize the labor is continuous until the bnkers filled,
and sometimes ccnpes several days and nights without
nermission Applications Tor berths by the crews Of
prz are numerous but by no meaas alSays success
fu. Selections from among them are carefully made.
Such berth is sinecure, bur each is u lure that
would tempt the least avaricous. There is splendid
fortune for every one, aud IL comes in few short
months. 1t is estimated that each ordinary seamans
share Of priz9 money amounts TO upwards Of $4,000
in hard cssh-a this in six months The officers must
vege oftakiog their prizes into port for GALE each
would now be almost millionaire.
Here is the Eorida's record. The estimated total
value of prizes is So 900, 000 This is exclusive of
specie obtained aboard, which in one case, the Ben
lloxie, amounted to 100000 Many of the prizes
rich China East Ind aud California ships;
January 10 brig Estsle, Boston, $lSS000
January %, brig Wihdward, Portland, $50 600.
January 81 brig Corie Ann, Philadelphia, $50 900.
February IL, ship Jacob Ball, New York 81 900 000
& lin If
March 49, schooner Adebanuon, New York, $40 O0O
March rs, bark LapWirg, Boston, $50 900.
March 80, bark N. j. Cocord New York, $50, 900.
April 49, ship Kate Dyer Hamburg $4,000
Apr II, Commonwealth, New York, 100000
April 90 bark Henrietta, Baltimore, $4,000.
April "a, ship Oneida, New York, $3.50 0O0
May g. brig Clarence, Baltimore, $4,000
May 10, ship Crown Poiut, New York, $500 900.
June 6, ship Red Guantiot, Boston, s400 900.
Jane IA, ship Southern Orofs New York SS5 600.
June l6, ship b. f. Hoxie, Cal for ia 100000.
June ~. schr V. H. Hill, Province Town; $40 900
Jolly Z, ship Sunri;e, New York, $50 600.
July g. brig w. B. Nash New York.
July 8, schooner Riebzi, Province Town.
These vessels exclusive Of the twentytven prizes
made by Lieut.. Reed, OF the Taeony, who was de-
tached fIom the Florida and which OF must be
placed to her account The two last namel, the Nash
aud Rienzi were destroyed under the very nose of
u. s. vessel, which sent out 10 capture the
Florida. This vessel was the Ericsson carrying 10 gus
and $40 men, The Florida has an equal armament, but
a of only l25 The Florida sailing under
the British flag when tee Ericsson made chase. Being
short Of COAL che could not make enough TO run
away and thereupon hauled Gown the red of ST.
George hoisted the sars and bars and gave tue Yam
kse broidside. This was more than the Ericsson
could stand and she Immediately showed her and
astraght wake, while the Florida a. bore away
for the two vessels aforesaid and captured them while
the Ericsson yet in sight
Mr. Bssze states that Capt Semmes, late of the Al
abaml, ba1 taken command Of the Mississippi new
and formidable craft carrying "a guns-not the Geor-
gi4, as has been stated. With this four in.hand-the
Florida, Alabama, Georgia and Mssissippthe oonfet-
crate Neptune will drive fast team among the mer.
chant craft of The Yankees-AUgHsta Chronicle.