Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1882-12-07
The Confederate Steamer Florida


The Florida was built of English oak in
an English port and paid for with Confed-
crate gold. She came out early in 1862
under the name of Oreto. The Federal
Government made every effort to detain
her, suspecting from her build that she was
intended rs Il cruiser The Oreto was de-
| tanned for weeks at Nassau, even without
musket or marine on board, and when
released, left for Il rendezvous where a sail
ing vessel was III waiting with crew and
| armament. The Florida bad both steam
| and sail, and her first commander a naval
Lieutenant named Stribling, was perfect
dare devil. He left Havana with only Two
guns in position and a crew of eight or ten
roust-abouts, 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
lind 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
the privateer made the harbor. She waa
struck eight times in the hull her masts
were Clipped by five different shots and
twenty ropes were cut by as many different
escape two Of the crew jumped overheard
and were drowned.
AT Mobile the Florida was thoroughly
equipped for the work intended, and Strib-
| bling having died she was given a new
commander Having missed her as she ran
in, the Federals were determined TO nab
her as she came out, and orders were issued
from Washington to strain every nerve to
capture or destroy her. At least two expe-
dtions were planned to cut her out. but for
| some reason they were not sent off. The
lieet was increased, and at night the vessels
stood in SO close as to be within rifle shot
of Fort Morgan. 1t did not seem as if
skiT could pass through the line of invest
ment, and for two or three weeks after the
Florida was entirely ready she did not dare
attempt the passage.
The coming of winter brought a gale
which obliged the blockadcrs to haul Off
and open their ranks, and one dark night
the Florida stood out. Sparks from the
smoke-stack betrayed the privateer, but so
rough was the sea and so dark the NIGHT,
that she escaped the fire unharmed Four
vessels at once followed in pursuit and main
tanned it until morning. Two then returned
and the others followed on until night,
the 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 ran within thirty miles
of New York, and her tender made captur-
es within cannon shot of Sunday Hook. It
was this tender, commanded by Lieut.. Read.
which captured the revenue cutter Cushing
in Portland harbor and was in turn captur-
ed while getting out to sea. The Florida
destroyed about sixty Federal vessels,
worth s5,000,0O0, and bonded six or eight.
Her capture was just such an act as was
played on an American man-of-war in 1913
by British vessel-an act which has never
been excused or forgotten. The Confeder-
ate had run into Bahia for repairs and sup
plies, when the United States man-ofwar
had been on the track of the Florida for
weeks, and was now determined
to capture her at any cost. Instead of
waiting outside or sending challenge for
| the privateer to come ont and make fight,
| the Wachusetts took advantage of night and
the absence of part Of the crew Of the Flori
da and ran her aboard right in the harbor.
1t has been asserted in English, French
and Brazilian newspapers that both COM
manders had given the Brazilian Govern
ment their solemn pledge to respect the neu
trality of the harbor, and yet the Wachu-
setts called to quarters without noise, slip
ped upon her prey in the darkness, and the
moment she was sighted she discharged
three guns into the privateer. During the
excitement which followed the priva-
teer was run to sea in company with her
captor.
The affair created great row in official
circles, and was settled in a curious man.
ner. The American Consul at Bahia was
dismissed on the grounds that he advised
the disgraceful act, although upon his re-
turn to the United States he asserted
that he advised against the movement.
The McSiRaR Mixed" to sink at her
a. ges6t She could not be returned
Bcommander Of the Wachusetts was
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