The National tribune., 1896-11-19

fed the authorities of the presence and
character of the Florida and protested
against her departure. whereupon she was
seized by order of the Governor of the Island.
Her character was investigated by the Adj
miralty Court, who decided that she was
properly documented as British property,
and ordered her release on condition that
she should leave the port. Capt. Maffitt
sailed with only Is of a crew, and put into
Cardenas. Cuba, on the 18th of August.
While in this port yellow fever broke out
among her crew and several of them died.
The Captain could not prevail upon others
to take their places, and sailed from Cardenas
Aug. 81. On the following day he put into
Havana, where he hoped to be more success
full. But the stringency of the Spanish reg
ulations was such that no recruiting for the
Southern Confederacy would be allowed,
a course evidently sdopted in order to retain
the friendship of the United States Govern
ment
Runs THE BLOCKADE.
Capt. Maffitt then determined to d. yuise
his vessel as much as possible hOl.t the
British flag and run the blockade at Mobile.
for the purpose of recruiting his crew and
getting requisite supplies for his vessel.
The gunboats Oneida and Winona were
on the Mobile blockade On the 4th of Sep
TENDER, 1862, when the Florida hove in sight
showing the English colors. Maffitt was
evidently familiar with the harbor, and sue
cessfully passed the bleckaders, who opened
fire on him, killing some of his crew and
wouDding several. Capt. Geo. H. Preble, of
the Oneida, senior officer in charge OF the
blockade on this occasion, was discharged
from the service by General Order of the
nAna ~ ,zrf from xxh rch
Rear-Admiral Farragut has transmitted
to the Department your letter addressed to
him on the 4th inst, in which you report
that on the afternoon of that day vessel
carrying four quarter boats and battery of
broadside guns having every appearance of
an English man-of-war, ran the blockade.
OF her approach you had abundant notice,
and when abeam of ner, about 100 yards dis
tant, you hailed her. fired repeatedly at her,
but she managed by superior speed and un-
paralleled audacity to enter the harbor of
Mobile. Upon submitting your letter to the
President. / received from him prompt di-
rectioDs to announce to you your dismissal
from the service. You will from this date
cease to be regarded as an officer of the Navy
of the United States"
The injustice of this summary dismissal
was generally admitted by those familiar
with the facts in the case, because Capt
Preble did all he could to capture or destroy
the Florida. Through the Intervention of
influential friends In Congress and in the
Navy, he was, on recommendation of the
President, restored TO his former rank, Feb.
81, 1863
Capt. Preble entered the Navy from the
State of Maine, Oct. 10, 1885, and previous to
the civil war served on the following vessels:
Ca
Lawrence, Narragansett, st. Louis, Petrol,
and Saratoga.
During the civil war he served on
the gunboats Kahtadin, Oneida, State Of
Georgia, and sloop-of.war Pensacola. He
retired from active service Feb IS, 1873,
with record of over 80 years sea service.
While at Mobile the Florida was supplied
with new crew and all the requisite sup
plies of a privateer, guns and ammunition.
Capt Mafiitt was overwhelmed with con-
CALCULATIONS on his successful escape from
the blockadipg vessels, and he was officially
thanked by the Confederate Navy Depart
ment for his daring skill and enterprise.
On the night of Jan. 5, 1868, the Florida
again ran the blockade, and went to sea,
differed as follows, with crew of about 200
men: Capt, John n. Maflitt; Lieuts., s. w
Averett, j. l.. Hode, c. w. Read, and S. G.
Stone; Midshipmen, II. S. Floyd, G. ID.
Bryan. j. III. Dyke, g. F. Sinclair, and w. b.
Sinclair; Engineers, A. M. Speidell, c. w.
Quinn, Il. A. Jackson, and T. III. Brown
Surg, Frederick Garrettson; Paymaster
James Lynch.
Capt. Maffitt was formerly connected with
the United States Navy, which he entered
Fen. 25, 1882. He resigned therefrom May
2, 1861, and offered his services to the Con.
federates. His first appointment was il
command of the ram Albemarie, in the
sounds of North Carolina.
The Florida on leaving Mobile cruised OF
the coast of Cuba, where its privateeriDs
operations were conducted on quite an ex
teDsiye scale the first victim being a small
brig, which was burnt. Capt. Maiiitt secured
a supply of coal at Havana and then pro
ceeded TO Nassau, where he arrived Jan. "a
1868. While cruising 10 the West Indii
Islands and among the Bahamas he de
stroyed number of vessels. first takin,
from them such articles as he could find us
for.
On Feb. il he coaled ship at Barbadoe
and again put TO sea il search OF new vic
Tins. While near Green Bay Capt. Maffit
was chased for some miles by the o. S
gunboat Sonoma, but managed to escape
While Off the Windward Islands he fell i
with, captured, and burnt the clipper sh
jacob Bell, bound from Foo Chow, China
to New York, loaded with tea and silk
The vessel and cargo was valued at 81 500
600, beng the most valuable capture mad
by amy vessel during the civil war. Capt
Maffitt, having 10 port to which his victim
could be sent, made himself judge, jur,
and executloner, and consigned Them to til
flames.