The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1882-12-23
THE CONFEDERATE STEAMER FLOR
IDA.
detroit Free Press.

detroit Free Press.I
The Florida was built of English oak
in an English port and paid for with
Confederate gold. She came out early
in 1862 under the name of Oreto. Tho
Federal government made every effort
to detain her, suspecting from her
build that she was intended as u crui-
ser. The Oreto was detained for weeks
at Nassau, even without II musket or a
marine on board, and when released,
left for u rendezvous where sailing
vessel was in waiting with crew and
armament. The Florida had both
steam and sail, and her first comman-
der, naval lieutenant named. Strib-
ling, was Il perfect daredevil. He left
Havana with only two guns in posi-
tion aud Il crew of eight or ten rousta-
bouts, and laid his course for Mobile.
He had information that four or five
federal gunboats were on that station,
but he steamed boldly on and reached
the coast to find that his arrival had
been expected. The entire fleet at
once set upon her, but by crowding on
all steam and holding her course with
shells whistling all around her tho pri-
Vateer made the harbor. She was
struck eight times in the hull, her
shots and twenty ropes We're cut by as
many different missiles. During the
excitement of the escape two of the
crew jumped overheard and were
drowned.
AT Mobile the Florida was thorough
~ equipped for the work intended, and
Stribling having died she was given a
new commander. Having missed her
as she ran in, the t'ederaIs were deter
mined to nab her as she came out, and
orders were issued from Washington
to strain every nerve to capture or de-
stroy her. At least two expeditions
were planned to cut her out, but for
some reason they We're not sent off.
The fleet was increased, and at night
the vessels stood in SO close rs to be
within rifle shot of Fort Morgan. 1t
did not seem as if Il skiff could pass
through the line of Investment, and
for two or three weeks after the Flor
ida was entirely ready she did not dare
attempt the passage.
The coming of winter brought Il gale
which Obliged the blockaders to haul
off aud open their ranks, and one dark
night the Florida stood out. Sparks
from tho smoke-stack betrayed tho
privateer, but so rough was the sea and
so dark the night, that She escaped tho
fire unharmed. -Four vessels ut once
followed In pursuit and manned it un-
til morning. Two then returned and
the others followed on until night, tho
storm not having abated in the least.
After dark the Florida changed her
course and thus threw the pursuers off
the track.
The Florida twice run within thirty
miles of New York, and her tender
made captures within cannon shot OF
Sandy Hook. 1t was this tender, com
manded by Lieut.. Read, which cap
tured the revenue cutter Cushing, in
Portland harbor, and was in turn cap
tured while getting out to sea. The
Florida destroyed about sixty Federal
vessels, worth $4,000, 900, and bonded
six or eight. Her capture was just
such an act as was played OH an
American man-Of-war in 1913 by n
British Vessel-an act which has never
been excused or forgotten. The Con-
federate had run into Bahia for re-
pairs and supplies, when the United
States man-of-war Wachusetts entered
the port. This craft had been ON the
track of the Florida for weeks, and was
now determined to capture her ut any
cost. Instead of waiting outside or
sending challenge for the privatcer
to come out and make a fight, tho
Wachusetts took advantage of night
and the absence of part of the crew OF
the Florida and ran her aboard right
in the harbOr.
1t has been asserted in English,
French and Brazilian newspapers that
both commanders had given the Bra
lillian government their solemn pledge
to respect the neutrality of the har Dor,
and yet the Wachusctts called to quar-
ters without noise, slipped upon her
prey in the darkness, and the moment
she was sighted she discharged three
guns into the privatcer. During the
excitement which followed the priva-
teer was run to sea in company with
her captor.
The affair created u great row in Off
cial circles, and was settled in curl
GUS manner. The American Consul at
Bahia was dismissed on tho grounds
that he advised the di5graccful act, al
though upon his return to the United
States he asserted that he advised
against the movement.
The Florida was "fXcd'' to sink at
her anchorage so that she could not be
returned, and tho commander of the
Wachusetts was tried by court-martiai
and recommended for promotion. Had
Brazil been a power like England or
Francc Uncle Sam would not have