The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-11-26

Territorial jurisdiction of neutral Govern
meht. This sentence was evidently deter
mined upon to conciliate the Brazilian Gov
erBment, but IT did not meet the approval
of the Navy Department, and Capt Collin:
was restored TO duty again.
The army transport steamer Alliance
while on its way to Norfolk, Va, Nov. IS
coliided with the Florida at Newpor,
News and caused the latter to leak badly.
Acting Master Jonathan Baker. in charge
of the Florida, set all the pumps at work
and succeeded in keeping the vessel a1oai
until the night of Nov. %. when he made
signals of distress, answered by Commander
I. j. Woodward, of the monitor Atlanta.
He went on board the Florida with several
men. Every effort was made to keep be:
afoat, but without success. On the follow
ing morning about O'Clock the Florida
went down.
This settled the question Of her return to
the Brazilian authorities No lives were
lost by the sinking OF the Florida. as the
crew were safely transferred to the monitor
Atlanta. The Navy Department ordered a
court of inquiry to investigate and report
on the loss of the Florida. The following
officers constituted the court: Capts James
Alden, Charles Steadman, j. M. Alden, and
III. K. Thatcher
The court reported that the Florida had
been leaking badly previous to her collision
with the steamer Alliance, that the donkey
pumps failed to work, and that everything
possible was done to keep her afloat No
evidence was presented to show that the
accident was designed or intentional-sim-
ply accidental. By request of the State
Department board of army officers was
cd tn ho af
Florida. but there appears to be no record
OF their proceedings
The only apology made to the Govern
ment of Brazil was the firing of a salute to
the Brazilian fag in the harbor OF Bahia
on the 23d day of July, 1866. by Capt
Francis b. Blake, Commander OF the u. S. S.
NiPsic, after which friendly relations were
resumed
The prisoners captured on the Florida
were released from Fort Warren on the 18th
of January, 1865, on condition that they
should leave the United States, for which
purpose each man was supplied with the
sum OF $50. Capt. Collins was horn in the
State of Pennsylvania, aud entered the
navy Jan. 2, 1884. Previous TO the war he
served on the following vessels: Decatur,
Michigan. Susquehanna, John Adams and
Natchez. During the civil war he served
on the Anacostia, Unadiila, Octoraro, and
Wachusett.
Here is an extract from the official report of
Capt c. NJ. Morris, dated Bahia, Oct 13. 1864:
=" Ii Is with great pain that have to re-
port the capture of the c. S. S. Florida,
lately under my command. l arrived at
this port on the 4th inst, at 9 D. m, to pro-
cure coal and provisions, and also 10 get
some slight repairs after a cruise of 81 days
Just after anchoring boat passing around
MS asked the name of our vessel. Mex,
morning / found that the q. s. S. Wachu-
sett was anchored near us; so / at once
Concluded that the boat which hailed US the
evening before was from the Wachusett.
We were visited on the morning of the
9TH by Brazilian officer, to whom stated
ny wants, and was informed by him thar
ne would state the same to the President.
md until his answer was received we could
hold no communication with shore. At
noon 4 received communication from the
President that he was ready to receive me.
At my interview he informed me that as
nours would be allowed me to refit and repair.
On the afternoon Of the 9th | sent the
siarboard-watch on shore on liberty, going
Also myself, in company with several of the
officers. About $50 a. m. on the morning
sf the 9TH was awakened by the proprie-
sor OF the hotel where / was stopping. who
stated that there was some trouble on
board the Florida, as he heard firing and
cheering IN the direction of the vessel.
L Immediately fastened to the landing.
md was informed by Brazilian officer that
The u. ,. ). Nachusett had captured the
FLORIDA, and was then towing her out of
The harbor. Of the actual occurrences and
soss OF lie on the Florida 1 have been able
10 find ont very little.
AT the time of her capture there were
about % tons of coal Oh board the Florida.
The amount Of funds and list of officers
captured are contained in the report of Paw
master Taylor, herewith Enclosed.
All OF my papers, the signal-book and
.iphers were captured in the ship, but /
hope they are destroyed, as the First Lieu
tenant. Surgeon, and my clerk knew where
they were kept"
In the safe OF the steamer Florida were
Sl26 in American gold, over 81 800 IN
legai-tender notes, bills OF exchange on Eng
land Tor $4,000, a lot of United States post
age amps, and about one months supply
OF provisions.
The depredations of the Florida extended
rom Mafch, 1865. TO June, 1864, during
WHICH ZINE Ia SHIPS. 10 barks, seven briggs.
iouF schooners ana one steamer were de-
strcyed ln ali, SO vessels. valued with car
goes, over S5,0000o0. In most cases tbese
vessels represented ali the earthly possess
SONS OF their owners, and the result of years
OF hard labor. Their crews were. in most
eases, landed penniless in some lonely island
or transferred to passing neutral vessels for
transportation to points perhaps thousand
Oh miles from their homes and friends.
surely cause which resorted to such
vicious measures against helpless NOM COM
Datants did not deserve to succeed. 1t is
therefore to their credit that they are
anxious that the past should be forgotten.
Nm. SIMMONS. Philadelphia, Pa.