The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-05-03

the dry dock Tor some nee0ed repairs
and while here Maffitt relinquished his
command of the Florida, being COM
pletely broken down in health on &C
count of arduous service and exposure
to which he was subjected. He was
succeeded in command by Joseph N.
Barney. He took sick while at Brest,
and was relieved, Jan. 4, 1864, by Capt.
Charles NJ. Morris. He was citizen
of the State of Georgia, and was for
merly an officer in the United States
Navy, from which he resigned, Jan. %,
1861.
The Florida sailed from Brest, Feb.
II, 1864, visiting again the West Indies
and coast of the United States where
several captures were made, all of which
were destroyed. Several fast gunboats
were meantime dispatched
IN PURSUIT OF THE FLORIDA,
and Morris decided to cross the Atlantic.
He was next heard from at Teneriffe,
and the Navy Department sent Com
modore Thomas I. Craven, with the
figate Niagara and several other vessels,
in pursuit of him.
DECIDED TO RETIRE.
Capt Morris learned from some of his
captured victims that several Union gun
boats were in pursuit of him, and not
caring to meet an armed vessel decided
to seek safety in some friendly harbor.
He recrossed the Atlantic with all posi-
BILE speed, and put into Bahia, Brazil,
where be arrived Oct. 4, 1864. I'm
fortunately for him the .. S. S. Wachu-
sets, Capt. Napoleon Collins, was there
in port undergoing some repairs to her
machinery. Part of her crew were on
shore, including some of the officers, but
all were hastily gathered on board and
a consultation of the officers was held, at
which the capture of the Florida was
determined upon. The fact of her being
In a neutral port was not taken into
consideration.
TheW achusetts was screw sloop of six
guns, 695 tons, and at that time attached
to the West India squadron, under Com
modore Charles Wilkes. 1t was one of
the vessels sent in pursuit of the Florida,
and this opportunity for its capture was
too good to be lost. Capt. Collins got
his vesselin fighting trim as soon as pos
sible, and On the morning of Oct Z, 1864,
he ran alongside of the Florida and de-
manded her surrender.
The crew replied with volley of mus
kerry, and Capt. Collins adopted the
same line of argument, resulting in kill
ing nine of her crew, 10 more were
drowned in attempting to escape, and
the balance were taken prisoners
The Florida was then taken possession
of, a hauser attached, and she was towed
out of port by the Wachusetts. In due
time she reached Hampton Roads, and
Capt. Collins, on reporting bis success, was
warmly commended by all interested.
The Government of Brazil claimed
that under the circumstances the capture
of the Florida was violation of the
neutrality laws and demanded her return,
butwhile negotiations on the subject were
pending, an army transport, loaded with
troops, collided with the Florida in
Hampton Roads, and she was sunk in
deep water. Whether the collision was
accidental or intentional the writer is not
prepared to say, but it
INGLoRIoUsLY TERMINATED
the career Of a most remarkable vessel,
which had marked 81 craft for her vic
tins.
Capt. Napoleon Collins entered the
United States Navy as hlidshipman Jan.
2, 1884, and died, holding the rank of
Rear-Admiral, Aug. 9, 1875. He was
born in the State of Pennsylvania.
OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE CAPTURE OF
THE FLORIDA.
ST. THOMAS WEST INDIA ISLANDS,
Oct. 81, 1864
SIR: have the honor to report the arrival
here OF this ship, with the rebel steamer Florida
IN company. The Florida, with 58 men and I2
officers was captured about'3 o'clock on the
morning of Oct in the Bay of San Salvador,
Brazil. by the officers aud crew of this vessel,
without loss of life.
Five Of her officers, including her Com
mander, and the remainder of her crew were
ON shore. The Florida had her mizzen- mast
and uIain-yard carried away and her bulwarks
cut down. This vessel sustained no injury.
detailed report will be handed to you by
Paymssier W. W. Williams.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant
NAPoLEoN COLLINS,
Commanding u. S. S. Wachusetts
Hon. GIDEON WELLS Secretary of the Navy
The Confederate cruiser Shenandoah,
the last of her class to display the stars
and bars at sea, had decidedly inter-
esting history, and was originally the
British steamer Sea King. She was
purchased for the Confederacy by Capt.
Bullock at a cost of G45,000, and was
intended TO replace the Alabama, sunk
by the Kearsarge.
The Sea King had the reputation of
being very fast. She sailed from Lon
don, England, Oct 8, 1864, and reached
Fronchal, Madeira, on the 18th. Here
she met by appointment the blockade
runner Laurel from Liverpool, which
had on board guns, ammunition and
men, all of which were transferred to the
Sea King. The Confederate flag was
hoisted, and the vessel duly commissioned
as the privateer Shenandoah.
Her battery consisted of four S-inch