The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-11-24
From tho Springfield Republican.
The Capture Of the Florida.

The capture Of the pirate Florida in the
harbor of Bahia by the gunboat Wachusett
was on the face of it violation of interna-
tional law, and the government of Brazil mnst
of course resent it, An acknowledgement of
the wrong and an apology will set all right
again. 1t is said, however, that Capt. Collins
was justified by the fact that the Florida her
self had violated the law Of Brazil by making
its coast base of operations against cur
commerce. To this Brazil would doubtless
reply that she chooses to vindicate her own
laws, and will not except foreign interference
in that matter. 1t is not likely, whatever
view the government of Brazil may take, that
the affair will lead to any serious complca-
ton, Brazil is not interested, like England
and France, in the success of the rebellion,
and will make no special effort to protect
navy belonging to nation not yet recognized
by solitary power
The capture of the Florida was a very bold
actin itself. The principal facts, as reported
by Paymaster ]. A. Small of the Kearsarge to
the Boston Daily Advertiser, are as follows:-
The Americans at Bahia had endeavored to
persuade the commander of the Florida to
accept challenge of the Wachusett to 90 to
sea and fight, but he declined; he said he
should not hesitate to fight the Wachusett If
he met her at sea, but would not go out to
seek fight. Capt Collins held a council of
his officers, and, with but one dissenting voice,
they determined to destroy the pirate ship at
her anchorage in the harbor. They had in
formation that she had frequently seized and
burned ships within three miles of the coast
of Brazil, and that she intended to escape
from the harbor the very next night, October
9Th, for new depredations upon our ship
ping
The preparations for the encounter were
made with great celebrity and complete secre-
~, and at about three o'clock in the morning
OF Friday, October 7th, the cables were slip
ped, and the Wachusett bore down upon the
rebel vessel under full head of steam. So
little expectation was there of such proceed
ing, that one half the officers and crew of the
Florida, seventy in number and including
Capt. Morris, were carOusing on shore, and
the remainder, having just returned from
similar absence, were in no condition to repel
an assault. The FlOrida's officer of the deck
supposed the collision which he saw to be
Imminent to be merely accidental, and cried
out, You win run into us If you don't look
out" The design OF Capt. Collins was SIM
ply to strike the Florida amidships with full
steam on, crush in her side, and send her at
once to the bottom beyond the possibility of
causing further trouble to any one. The Wa
chusett however did not strike her adversary
fairly, but hit her in the stern, carrying away
the mizzen mast and main yard The r orida
was not seriously injured by the collision, but
the broken spar fell across the awning over
her hatchway In such manner as to prevent
her crew from getting on deck from below.
The recoil which followed the shock carried
the Wachusett back several yards. In the
confusion which ensued several pistol shots
were fired from both vessels, chiefly at ram
dom, and entirely without effect. Two of the
guns of the Wachusett were also discharged,
by accident, according to one report, and as
another version has it, by order of one of the
Union lieutenants. The shots did not strike
the Florida.
Captain Collins Of the Wachusett immedi-
ately Numbered cut demand to the rebel
craft, Surrender or will blow you out OF the
water" The lieutenant in charge of the Flor
ida may be excused for considerable amaze
ment but had still presence of mind enough to
reply, under the circumstances Surrender"
Without the delay of an instant dozens of gal
liant tars boarded the prize, and made fast
hawser connecting her with their own YES
sci, and the Wachusett turned her course sea-
ward, moving at the top other speed, and tow
ing the Florida in her wake.
The feet of Brazilian vessels, which entirely
surrounded the little space of water on which
the brief battle had been fought was so situat-
ed that the two American steamers were oblig-
ed to pass under the stern of one of the largest
in order to penetrate their line. The Wachu-
sett was challenged, but did not deigna word
ofreply, and the Florida, when hailed and COM
manded to halt, moment after, replied that
a pause was impossible, as she was toWed by
the vessel in front. The Brazilians soon
guessed the state of affairs, and in another
moment or two, the heavy guns of the fort,
under the very muzzles Of which the capture
had been made, opened fire on the Wachusett,
as she disappeared in the morning darkness
Three shots were fired after her, all passing
harmlessly far above her pennant, and striking
the water beyond.
The Brazilian naval commander in Bahai
harbor acted with all the promptness which
could have been expected, and in few mo-
ments the dawn of day disclosed two vessels
of the Brazilian feet doing their utmost to
pursue and overhaul the Wachusett and her
prize They were heavy sloop-of. war and a
small armed steamer, nsither of them any
match in point OF speed for the handiwork OF
New England mechanics, and soon gave up
the chase, as the Union and rebel steamers
uiooppcdreu Oel(eN luc uOllAoh. OoPU No''AhS
soon ordered the ships to heave TO. and exam
ined his prize. he found that neiteer vessel
was materially damaged by the collision, and
that there had been no injury to life or limb
from the confused firing which followed 1t.
Twelve officers and ffty-eigbt men OF the Flor
ida's crew were captured, and all her stores,
papers, records, de-, were found undisturbed
in the cabin. The two vessels soon steamed
for St. Thomas, arriving there on the Goth ut.
and hnding the Kearsage already in port, Act
the Wachusett, Surgeon Charlton of the Flor
ida and sixteen of the crew of the privateer
were transferred to the Kearsage, which sail
ed October 31st, and arrived at Boston At
midnight on Monday.
nr.1..