The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1864-12-08
Esta blished 1926.

sion between the two vessels, and upon
leaving him / Immediately repaired on
board and moved the Florida close in
shore TO the position suggested by the
Admiral. ] found the Brazilian en-.
gineer on board and was informed by
him that it would require four days 10
repair the pipe Of the condenser.
Feeling now no apprehension Of any
difficulty occurring while in port. and
wishing 10 crafty the crew with q
short liberty, not only on the score OF
good conduct, but also of health, de.
tcrmined to permit one watch at a time
to 90 ashore for twelve yours, and sent
the port watch off that afternoon
About 7:30 P. NJ. boat came along.
side. stating that she was from the
United States steamer WachuSett with
the United States Consul, who had on
official communication for the com
mander of the Florida. The letter
with the card Of the Consul, was iand.
ed to First Lieutenant Porter, who,
after examining it, and finding it d.
rccted 10 Capt. Morris. ''sloop Florida. -
returned it unopened to the Consul,
stating that it was improperly addres.
sed that the vessel was the Confeder.
ate States Steamer Florida. and that
when the letter was 80 directed it
would be received. The next day
(6th) Mr.. de vidiky came on board
having received letter from the Uni
ted States Consul, lnelosing one for
me. Ho requested me, before receiv.
ing my letter, to permit him to read
to me the one sent to him. It was a
request to Mr.. de Vidiky to send n
challenge to the commander Of the
Florida, and, in case Of its acceptance,
to offer his (the ConsuI's) influence in
having the repairs Of the Florida spec.
dily finished. l informed Mr.. de Vid.
ky that had heard quite enough, and
finding the letter to me still improper
ly addressed, declined receiving it
but at the same time said to him that
| had come to Bahia for a special pur.
pose, which being accomplished, ]
should leave; that would neither seek
nor avoid a contest with the Wachu.
sett, but, should l encounter her out.
side OF Brazilian waters, would use my
utmost endeavors to destroy her.
That afternoon the port watch hay.
ing returned, / sent the starboard
watch (the other half OF the crew.
ashore on liberty, going also myself in
company with several of the officers -
From our nearness TO the Wachusett.
persons on board of that vessel could
well see these men leaving the ship
At $3.50 A. NJ, | was awakened by the
proprietor of the hotel at which | was
staying, and told that there was some
trouble on board the Florida, 20 he
had heard firing and cheering in the
direction Of the vessel, but on account
of the darkness was unable TO discern
anything. Immediately FASTENED &c
the landing, and was informed by &
Brazilian officer that the United State,
steamer Wachusett had run into and
seized the Florida, and was then tow,
ing her out Of the harbor. l hurried
off to the Admiral's vessel, and was
told by him that he was at once going
in pursuit, which he did as soon as
steam was raised on board n small
steamer belonging to the feet, The
Admira's ship being a sailing vessel
sloop. .of.war, was taken in tow by the
steamer, and went ont Of the Iarbor
He returned in the afternoon with al
his vessels, having been unable tc
overtake the Wachusett. Upon mus
tering the officers and crew left or
shore, | found there were four officers,
viz: Lieut. Barron, Paymastor Taylor
Midshipman Dyke, and Masters Mate
King, and seventy.one men. Of whom
six had escaped by swimming from
the Florida after her seizure.
Of the actual occurrences and loss
of life on board the Florida, | have
been able to find ont very little. The
substance Of what / have gathered
from the six men who escaped is n,
follows; That at 3:l5 A. II. on Octo
Der {, Master 7. 7. Hunter, jr being
in charge of the deck, the Wachusctj
left her anchorage, and taking advan.
tNge Of the darkness, steamed for the
Florida, from whom she was not seer
until close aboard; that she was hail
ed by Mr.. Hunter, who, receiving nc
answer, called "all hands" to quarters
Before the officers and crew we're al
on deck, the Wachusett struck The
Florida on her starboard quarter, cut
ting her rail down to the deck, anc
carrying away her miscnmast, at th,
same time pouring volley Of musket
ry and charge Of canister from hel
forecastle pi3ot gun upon ovr decks
The Wach tsett then backed off anC
demanded our surrender, to whicl
Lieut.. Porter declined to accedc. The
enemy then fired again and again into
us; which was returned by the officers
and crew Of tile Florida. Another de
mand was then made for our surreh
der, and Lieut.. Porter answered. =.
will surrender condicionally." TIL,
enemy then ceased firing, and the com
mander then called for Capt Morris tC
come on board Lieut.. Porter answer
ed that Capt. Morris was on shore, anc
that he, as commanding officer woulc
come on board as soon as he could ge
a boat ready. The enemy then sen
a number of armed boats to take pos
session of the Florida. As soon a
Lieut.. Porter was heard TO surrender