, 1864-07-14

Especial Dispatch to the Chicago T1sbunel
PHILADELPHIA, Wednesday, July 10.
The city is excited tonight, by rumor
that the pirate F1orlda had been sunk OFT the
Capes Of Delaware, by the United States war
steamer Ticonderoga. 1t is known that the
latter vessel eai1ed from Portland on Sunday,
in pursuit of the pirate. The rumor now
atloat can be traced to no reliable source. i
Cape May dispatch Of Monday stated that
steamer with two masts aud one smoke.
stack, supposed to be United States mau.
ofwar, came down the coast about 10 o'clock
yesterday, and lay to few miles OF fol
about two hours, and then steamed rapidly
out to sea. This aould scarcely have been
the Ticonderoga, The most extraordinary
rivalry will be exhibited by the seyer,l crack
vessels now In pursuit Of the Florida, to win
the credit Of her capture.
New YonK, Wednesday,. July 1S.-Acttng
Master ". P. Gibbs, United States navy, re-
ported himself to Admiral Pauldlng, at the
Brooklyn uevy yard yesterday morning, hay
ing been captured on board the steamer Elcc-
tric Spark on Sunday last by the Flortda, and
paroled by Captain Morris. Gibbs was rc-
turning to his vessel the Parole, in the Gulf.
having been North on feave. He was treated
with marked kindness while on board the
Florida, everything being done to make his
stay comfortable and agreeable.
He made several very important statements
In reference to the Florida. In the first
place, Ehe carries the following armament:
Four rided GS-pounders, eight-inch, In broad.
eide, abaft tie mafamast, 10lpounder In
the pivot, and four small rifles In the broad
side forward. In additioa-to this formida-
bic battery, she has one gun not mount
ed lying on the starboard Of the
engine.Eoom hatch. Gibbs could not escer-
tain the calibre. as It Was covered with tar
paulin. She had crew Of about 200 men,
who looked dirty and undiscip1ined, and
Morris apologized for the appearance Of the
ship aud crew, and said they had been yerv
busy for few days. Her Chief Engineer
was confined to room on account OF inju~
ries received by falling down the hatchway,
and she Is short Of assistant engineers, 50
much SO, that 1t would be difficult to run the
Electric Spark, but they may run both ves-
sells over to Bermuda or Nassau, aud leave
the prize outside while they go In with the
Florida, and procure some engineers for her.
Tee Electric Spark steams, in her present
by the head. No doubt Morris viii use hef
as tender, at least until her coal-120 tons
gives out, or be may attempt to run her
into Wilmington with cargo
CAFE MAY, n. j., July D.-The Florida
DOW carries one hundred and thirty men.
Captain Morris sent letter to President Lin
coin, and another to Admiral Farragut, stat
Ing that be was ready for the gunboat
a steamer with two 1unsts aud one smoke
stack, supposed to bea United States mau.of-
war, come down the coast about ten o'clock
to-day, and lay to few miles off for about
two hours, and then steamed rapidly out to
STA.
TIE T1CoSDERoaA AFTER THE FLORIDA.
PORTLAND, July 1.-THE United States
sloop.ot-W Ticonderogn sailed last night in
pursuit of the p1ivatcer Florida,
AnEBEL. ACCOUNT OF TIE PIRATE,
From the Columbus Is. c. Columbian.1
The Florida two months ago was at Brest,
in France, undergoing repairs. The officials
of that city and OF the French Government.
rendered every facility to the authorities OF
the chip, and Tor two months she occupied
the Government dock, whilst her officers and
men were the recipients of the hospitalfties
OF the city. An Indication Of the syinpathies
Of the French Government may be found In |
the TACT that the Commander of the United
States guuboat kearsarge made similar up
puc4tlo1 70 ti1at 0l the Florida, but W15 re-
tused. THIS vessel attempted to blockade
the Florida, but the latter evaded her with |
ease.
Her complement is $50 men and 70 officers.
All live well, clothe we'll, and feed well,
Oysters. turkeys, and delicacies of every de-
scription, captured on the prizes, supply
their la1der, and these are served In the COM
onest mesees Of the ship, with silver knives
and forks. Think OF that, ye hungry huds- |
men! Capt. Matttt, the former Commander
Of the Florida, is now in Confederate port, |
In command Of 4 steamer owned BY tue State |
Of Gec1gta-one Of the f:,s.est vessels afloat,
md in every way adapted to the purpose Of q
b1ockale.runner. Lieut.. Manigatui Morris, |
Of this State, is now in command OF the Flo. |
'ida- The total number of prizes captured
Ind burned By this ship Is tweuty.eisht |
Her tender, the Tacony, Lieut. Reed com
took twenty-one before being
ourned off the harbor of Portland, Maine
Half the value Of each of these prizes is dis |
ributed amoug the officers and crew of the |
,aptor. The other half IL placed to the &C. |
'onrt Of the Confederate Government. Ey-
- man on board is, therefore, "we1l to do'' |
n the world The armament Of the Florida /
las not beeE altered since she went into |
aLd CONSISTS Of 1oGpound |
3laEe}y rifle gun amidships, some metal on
he bow, and six broadside 6s-pound Blakely |
itles.