The National tribune., 1896-11-19


displayed towards her helpless, unarmed
victims at sea was about to be tried on herself
On the 4th day of October, 1864, the Flori-
da anchored at Bahia, Brazil, and Capt.
Morris, presuming on his safety in foreign
waters, went on shore with part of his crew
to have good time on ill-gotten gains, leav-
ing the vessel in charge of Lieut.. T. K.
Porter. On the following day, Oct S, the
American Consul at Bahia notified the au-
thorities of the presence and character of
the Florida: and strongly protested against
any privileges being extended to that vessel,
on account of its depredations on the COM
merce of the United States and other Nations.
Here is Consul Thomas Wilson's official
notice to the Province of Bahia, Oct 5, 1864:
"This morning a steamer anchored in this
port bearing the flag adopted by those who
are involved in the rebellion against the
Government of the United States of Amer
lea, and am informed that the said vessel
is the Florida, which is engaged in csptur-
ing vessels navigating under the flag of the
United States, and in destroying them by
making bonfires of them and their cargoes
al sea.
The vessel in question is not commits
stoned by any recognized Government what
ever, and her officers and crew are composed
of persons of various nationalities, who are
not subject to any international or civilized
law, and are consequently not entitled to the
privileges and immunities conceded to yes
sells navigating under the flag of a civilized
Nation.
Il therefore protest, in the name of the
United States of America, against the admis-
sion of this vessel to free practice by which
she might be enabled to supply herself with
Ia slc Df
kind whatever, or receive on board any per-
sons whatever"
The United States steamer Wachueett,
Capt. Napoleon Collins, happened to be at
Bahia when the Florida arrived there. Capt.
| Collins held consultation with his officers,
resulting in a determination to seize the
! Florida and take her to the United States.
This plan was carried into execution about
a. 10. Oct Z, when the Wachusett ran
alongside of the Florida and demanded its
| unconditional surrender.
| A volley of pistol shots was the response.
Capt. Collins then opened fire on the Florida,
and soon brought its piratical crew to terms.
| Lieut.. Porter went on board the Wachusett
and surrendered the vessel, with IL officers
and So men. Nine men were killed on the
Florida and three wounded on the Wachu-
sett A hawser was at once made fast to
the Florida and she was lowed to sea by
Capt. Collins. A prize crew was put on
board, in charge of Lieut.. L. A. Beardslee,
and the prisoners transferred to the Wachu-
sett.
A Brazilian warship in the harbor made a
feeble attempt to intercept the vessels, but
was not successful.
| The Wachusett and its prize put into St.
| Thomas, West Indies, for coal, and from
this port Capt. Collins telegraphed to the
War Department his official report of the
capture of the Florida, as follows:
have the honor to report the arrival
here of this ship with the rebel steamer
| Florida in company. The Florida, with So
men and IL officers, was captured about 3
o'clock on the morning of Oct. z, in the Bay
of San Salvador, Brazil, by the officers and
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 mizzenmast
and mainyard carried away and her bull
warks cut down. This vessel sustained no
| injury. A detailed report will be handed
to You by Paymaster w. w. Williams"
While at st. Thomas the yellow fever
broke out among the prisoners, and Is Of
them were permitted to escape on shore.
They were principally Spaniards and Ger
mans. About Nov. the Wachusett and
her prize sailed from st. Thomas, and ar
rived at Hampton Roads, Va, Nov. IL. The
Navy Department ordered that the prison.
ers be sent to Fort Warren, in Boston Har
Dor, where they arrived on Nov. 26. The
Florida was ordered to anchor off Newpor
News; her guns and supplies were trans
ferred to Norfolk Navy-yard.-W SIM
MONS Philadelphia, Pa.
4 To he