The New York herald., 1864-11-09
Nachusett and Florida I'm
Route foc New York,
The Bark MOndaznin Burned at
Sea.
WHAT WILL BRAZIL SAY
sketches Of Captain Collins and the
Wachusett and Florida,
ks., &e.s xes

The Kearsarge, which sunk the Alabama oil the
French coast, axrived at Boston late on Monday
night. She has passengers w. w. Williams,
Assistant Paymaster Of the United States gunboat
Wachusett, bearer of dispatches of the circun-
stances attending tie capture of the rebel pri-
vateer Florida in the port Of Bahia, Brazil.
She also brings prisoners of war the chief
gincer and boatswain of the Alabama, and the sur
goon and sixteen of the men of the Florida.
The Kearsargc left st. Themas on the evening
OF the 3lst ut. The Wachusett in port waiting
Nor coal. The Florida was outside. She also left
there the ship James Chcston, and the bark Ade-
Sine C. Adams. The Cheston, one hundred and
shiry-tlree days from Rangoon, put into port in
distress, with her crew down with the scurvy. She
was supplied with nineteen men from the Kear-
sarge, and would sail in day or two for New
York.
The bark Mondamin, from Rio, captured by
che Florida of Pernambuco, about September %,
and burned. This was the only American vessel
captured by the Florida since her departure from
Tenerife.
: The following is brief account Of the circum-
stances of the capture of the privatecr:-
TheFlorida arrived at Bahia, Bay of San Saliva
dor, on the night of the 9TH ult. Captain Collins
having held consultation with his officers, de-
termined to aink the Florida in port. Accordingly
n about three o'clock tho cables were slipped,
and the Wachusett steered for the Florida, hitting
her on the quarter, without doing her great
injury.
Captain Collins now called out to these on board
the pirate to surrender or he would siak her.
This demand was replied to by the first lieutenant
that "under the circumstances he surrendered"
A hawser was now made fast, the chain slipped
and the Florida towed to sea. In the melee seve-
raj pistol shots were fired, and accidentally, two
guns from the Wachusett
Captain Morris aud half the Florida's crew were
ashore on liberty.
No lives were lost. The Florida was taken COM
pletely by surprise, seventy of her men it was
known being on shore, and the others just returned
from liberty were asleep and half intoxicated.
The blow given tho Florida by The wachusett
carried away the mizzenmast and mainyard,
which fell on the awning, preventing any one from
getting up from below.
So unconscious was the officer of the deck OF
thc intention Of tho wachusetts captain that he
sang out. "You will run into US II you don't take
care" at the same time calling for light.
Twelve officers and Gfty-cight of the crew Of the
Florida were captured.
The wachusctt and Florida were to leave St
Thomas on the I'd inst. for New York..
The following Is list Of the names OF the Off
GERS Of the United States steamer Kcarsarge:--
Capsasn-John A wiusow.
Ls,rSsnant Comma mander-James 8. Thornton.
Paymasfer--J. A. Smith.
Eng.eus-Chsf, William n. Cushing; Assistants, S
smith, aS Eas.;.,ss =; Muller, Henry HScouos :,
q. II. sumner, W. H BadIam.
raymoaer'' ci,rk,D b Sargent. :
0ur~o-F. A. Grahsu.~
zsHnc Wass's xae,-Chsrlss H. Daniorsh. E. B.rt
ssst. wn. Smith, J. r. Bickford
Omciai Reports to the Secretary or Tn.
WASHINGTON. Nov. 9. 1864.
mo following dispatches were this morning receive
Ay the Navy Department. announcing the capture Of th
Rlorida-
aHroRr or coMxANpER wISsLow.
Bosros, Nov. 7, 1884.
Ion. epSoN wrELSs, Secretary Of tho Navy
sR- have the honor TO report the arrival OF the Kcar
sarrs on scltuate from the Rocas Loft the wachusct
and Florida At ST. Thomas The Florida was captured
tho bsrbor OF Bahia, by the wachusett, october T.
bring sixteen prisoners and one occr from the Florida
Jyo. A. wlNsLow, Comm auder.
RRrosr or cArTAiy COLLINS.
Or Tuox.a wgr fSnta STANDS, oct. ~, 1904,
via BosroS Nov !.
Gos. CiDrox wstgs:-
ei havo thc honor - rcrort thc arriia nero o. tni
1,,,n xuh IN. ,,hsi ee,at,r ftnrda W NY. IN