The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-11
A MYSTERIOUS CRAFT.
Have the Spaniards Purchased the
Steamer Florida for a GunbOat p
Report that the Chickamauga is
TO Be Destroyed.

The well known steamer the Florida formerly
the Penguin), which was seized by the United
States authorities for an alleged breach of the Neu-
trality laws at Greenpoint, l.. l., with full cargo
of rifles, Calling guns and munitions Of war OF all
descriptions, on the 10th Of August, 1870, was
brought to the foot Of Wall street last evening
towards dusk from the Atlantic docks, Brooklyn,
where she has been lying for some time At the
time OF her capture she was about clearing tor
Vera Cruz. in Mexico The capture was erected by
the United States steamer Catalpa on which were
squad Of marines. The crew of the steamer then
made the lines of the Florida loose and towed her
to the Navy Yard, where she placed
UNDER THE LOADED GUNS
OF the Vermont and Guerriere at the ordnance
wharf,
After lying in this place until the 10th OF January,
1871 she was released by order of Judge Batch
ford, upon the prOvisO that her cargo should be
discharged, which was accordingly done.
HER ILLEGAL DETENTION AND CAPTURE.
Judge Blatchford subsequently in the United
States Court refused to grant q certificate of
'prObable cause" to the United States District At.
tOrney on account Of the perjury OF several Of the
witnesses in the case, ana also, as the principal
one, who had made an affidavit that the steamer
and her cargo were intended for the use Of the
Cuban insurgents, was not forthcoming. suit for
damages was then commenced against the United
States government for the illegal detention Of the
vessel, and which is now pending.
On the 18th of January 1871 she sailed for Hail.
| fax, Nova Scotia and st. Thomas, at which latter
port she arrived the 22d or April in quest OF a
purchaser. Shortly alter her arrival at ST. Thomas
| three Spanish men-of-war were despatched from
| Porto Rico-distant about six hours by steam--to
prevent her exit from the port. The vessels
| in question consisted OF frigate and
| two gunboats, and were named the VascO Nunez
de Bilbao, the Guardana and FavOrita, and were
placed alongside OF her In the harbOr watching her
day and night, to detect the first movement In
dicating that she was about to leave During the
hurricane of August %. 1871, she was totally
dismasted, and had to have new spars put
on her. Before the repairs were completed
the engineers deserted. Here she was block
AIDED by three Spanish vessels but finally
escaped on the 14th of December, pursued by the
Spaniards Owing to the tempestuOus weather
she was obliged to put into Nassau for repairs.
On sailing thence she was again pursued and
overhauled by Mosquito gunboat. After very
stormy passage the Florida arrived in New York on
February 8, 1872. and remained at the Atlantic
dock until yesterday when she was brought over,
as before stated, to the foot of Wall street.
VISIT ON BOARD.
Yesterday evening HERALD reporter went on
board and saw the shpkeeper, when the following
conversation took place.
REPORrER-I hear this steamer has been bought
by the Spaniards.
SHIPKEEPER-Sorry can give you no informa-
ton, sir. really know nothing whatever on the
subject. am merely here In charge Of her while
she is being repaired.
HER DESCRIPTION AND HISTORY.
She is of 514 burden, but is capable OF carry
ing 600 tons OF cargo. Her length is 160 feet, her
breadth of beam 80 feet ana her depth OF hold II
feet Her engines are remarkably powerful, Of
ErccsOn's patent, with two cylinders OF 4s-nch
diameter, and 24-inch stroke OF piston. She has
two decks, with spacious cabin accommodation.
Her lines are very 0ne indicative OF great speed.
She Is brig-rigged and built OF wood. The Florida
was built lor the Providence and New York Steam
ship line at Mystic, Conn.,, In 1859. At the break
ing out of the war sne was sold to the government
for gunboat, and rendered good service along the
coast, and particularly In the Gull Of Mexico,
where, under the command OF Captain Reed she
captured many blockade runners. On her deck Is
q handsome steam launch.
HAVE THE sPANIARDS BOUGHT HER
II is reported that her bill OF sale has been made
in blank, and that the names OF her true owners
have yet to be inserted. Considerable interest Is
attached to this vessel, and some time will prOba-
bly, elapse before 10 Is known what coors she will
n.y. The price paid for her has not transpired, but
In oil probability 1t Is high one 1t was reported
shipbuildng yard to be fitted up with the ex-Con-
federate prvateer Chckamauga as gunDoat, to
reinforce the crippled "mOsquito feet"
A STARTLING RUMOR.
II was reported in Cuban circles yesterday that
several Cubans have resolved to set fire to the
Spanish war vessel now being equipped at the yard
or Mr.. Deamater, at Fifteenth street and North
River, by means OF torpedoes. The rumor is giveh
for what 1t is worth.