Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-06-17
THE FLORIDA.

The Columbia IS ~ Carclnian is Indebted to Mr.
Vogel one Of the officers of the fsr-famed steamer
Florida, Who has jus. returned home on brief fur
louSh for the following interesting particulars concern
ing the movements of our little navy on the ocean
The Florida two months ago. at Best, Ia France,
undergoing REPAIRS The officials OF that city aud Of
Inc French Government erdsred every facility to the
authorities of the ship and for two months she occupied
the Government dock sbe hes oficers aud men were
the recipients of the Inequalities Of the people OF the
civ. An indication OF the sympatbes OF the French
Government NAV DO found in the fact that the COM
mauder of the United States gunbost KeaIsage made
similar application TO that OF the Florida, but was re-
fused This vessel attempted to bocsade the Florida,
but the latter vaded her with case. Three weeks ago,
the latter touched at the Island OF Bermuda to land L.
Everett her executive officer who severely III
Second Lieutenant Lngard HOole was left at Martinique
for the same cause. just one year ago, the Florida
while AZ Bermuda received With royal salute OF II
guns her officers in the evening being entertained
At the house Of the colonel commanding the forces on
the island The Only ship burned since leaving Brest is
the Avon 1000 tons, bound TO Cork from the Ohineha
IslAnds, loaded with guano.
Toe discipline on board is like that Of man-oEWAr
her compliment Is 1870 msn and Is officers. All live
sell, coths well and feed well Oysters, turkeys aod
deEcacies of every description captured on the prizes
supply their larder aud those are served IN tae com
monest messes of the ship, with silver knives and orks
Think of that ye hungry landsmenl Capt. Aafit the
former commander Of the FlOSds, is in Oonfed-
erats pOr,, in command Of a steamer owned by the
Se Of Georgiaone OF tue fastest vesSsl shlAt, and
In every way adapted to the purposes of blockAd,
runner Leus. hAnigsult Morris, OF this Safe, IS now
in comm md Of the Florida
The total number Of prizes captured aud burned by
the ship is tWenty-eight. Her tender the TacOney
Lieut. Reed commanding, took twenty one before being
burned OF the hsrbor Of Portland Maine. Half Of the
value Of each OF these prizes is distributed among tue
ors and crew Of the captor. The other halt placed
TO the account of the Confederate Government Every
man on board is therefore, "Ee 10 do" in the world.
The armament of the florida has not been altered
snce che fret went into commission, and consists OF
100 mound Bllkely rife gun amidshps-same metal on
the bow, and six broAdsde 90 pouad Blakely riA s.
Captain Ssmmes ia stated by Mr.. Voge to be still in
command Of the Alabama, and cruising in the China
Seas Lieutenant Evans, OF South Carolina, IS in com
mAnd of the Georgia. at Asi accounts in BORDEAUX
France.
Mr.. Vogel il native and resident OF Charleston, and
his friends will most gladly welcome home aaer an ab
sence of four years &c has been 10 the naval service
from the START was captured in the steamer which car
ried cut Mason and Side hut passing o- Frencbmaa,
be vas detained 10 New YORK only ten days The fol-
lowing list OF the officers o, the Florida furnished by
him for the benefit Of friends az hoHis:
Commander, N Morris; LIST Lieutenant Stone;
Master lloyd; Acting u Lieutenant, Barron; 3D.
Lieut. Midshipman Bryan, Acting Master; Paymas-
Sinclair, w Sinclair, T DTks; Masters Nate, Hun
ter; Chief Engineer, O Quinn; Captains Clerk,
Hugh
We nearly forgot to add that Nj, Ycgs has brought
home with him handsome photograph Of the Florida,
represented in the act Of bringing to- Tie ship Jacob
Bell-her largest eavture-togetAer viii portraits OF
her officers. The picture may be seen st our sanctum