Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1864-11-18

steTu, carry my away tHe mlZAeH mast an
main yard. The Florida was not ser
iously injured by the collision, but tn
broken spar fell across the awning owe
her hatchway in such manner as t
prevent her crew from getting on dec
from below. The recoil which followc
the shock carried the Wachusett bac
several yards. In the confusion whic
ensued several pistol shots were fred fror
both vessels, chiefly at random, and en-
tirely without effect. Two of the gun
of the Wachusett were also discharged
by accident, according to one report, an,
as another version has it, by order OF on
of the Union lieutenants. The shots die
not strike the Florida.
Captain Collins Of the Wachusett i'm
mediately Numbered out a demand Il
to the rebel craft, Surrender. 'r l viii
bow you ou: Of the wa er. The lieuten
ant in charge of the Florida may be ex
cused for considerable amazement, hu,
had still presence of m nd to rsl i Ur
der the circumstances | sure, d ~
Without the delay Of an instant dozens
OF gallant tars bearded the prize and
made fast hawser connecting her with
their own vessel, and the Wachusett
turned her course seaward. moving at the
top of her speed and towing the Florida
in her wake.
The feet of Brazilian vessels, which
en- irey surrounded the little space OF
water on which the brief battle had
been fought, was so situated that the two
American steamers were obliged to pass
under the stern Of one Of the largest in
order to penetrate their line. The
Wachusett was challenged, but did not
deign word of reply, and the Florida,
when hailed and commanded to halt a
moment after, replied that pause was
impossible as she was towed by the vessel
in ront. The Brazilians soon guessed
the state of affairs, an in another mo-
meut or two the heavy guns of the fort,
under the very muzzels Of which the cap
ture had been made, opened fire on the
Wachusett, as she disappeared in the
morning darkness. Three shots were
fred after her, all passing harmlessly far
above her penaut, and striking the water
beyond.
TO the reader it seems that all this
must have taken considerable time, but
the testimony of careful officer on the
Wachusett. corroborated by the surgeon
of the Florida, assures US that from the
time the Wachusett first slipped her cable
and steamed upon the rebel cruiser to
the moment when the echoes of the last
gun from the Brazilian fortress had died
away. was only twenty minutes by the
watch. Certainly no page of history
can show more daring achievement, or
one executed with more brilliant rapidity
or more complete success.
The Brazilian naval commander in
Bahia harbor acted with all the prompt
ness which could have been expected, and
in few moments the dawn of day dis.
closed two vessels o. the Brazilian fleet
doing their utmost to pursue and over
haul the Wachusett and her prize. They
were a heavy sloop-of-war and small
armed steamer, neither Of them any
match in point of speed for the hauIi-
work Of New England mechanics, and
soon gave up the chase as the Union aud
rebel steamers disappeared below the
horizon.
Captain Collins soon ordered the ships
o heave to and examine his prize. He
found that neither vessel was materially
damaged by the collision, and that there
had been no injury to life or lmb from
the confused firing which followed it.
Twelve officers and ftty-eight men of the
Florida s crew were captured, aud all
her stores. papers, records, etc, were
found undisturbed in the cabin. The two
vessels soon steamed for St. Thomas, ar
irving there on the Goth ult., and finding
the kearsarge already in port. 1t was
intended to keep the matter at Bahia a
secret at St, Thomas, but it was ac.
cidentally revealed by a seaman of the
Wachusett to one OF the crew of the
kearsarge, and some hints of it got wind
in the town, causing great excitement
there. The Florida remained outside the
bay, while tho Wachusett entered to OBJ
tain COAL Boston Advertiser.