in the Bay of San Salvador, Brazil, on October 7, 1864.
(Image, #NH 49994, used through the kind courtesy of the Naval Historical Center.)
Click on image to see a larger version.
The Confederate cruiser, Florida steamed into the port of Bahia, Brazil, on October 4, 1864, to obtain coal and supplies. The next day, the US Consul at that port sent a letter of protest to the President of the Province, claiming that the CSS Florida was 'not entitled to the privileges and immunities conceded to vessels navigating under the flag of a civilized nation.' However, the President rejected this protest, advising that the Imperial Government recognized the Confederate States as legal belligerents, and as such, were entitled to any humanitarian assistance required, as laid down by international law.
The USS Wachusett, commanded by Napoleon Collins, was at the same time anchored in the port of Bahia. Collins, realising that his chance to capture or destroy the Florida might slip out of his hands, with the 24 hour departure law between belligerent vessels in a neutral port, decided to try and sink or capture the vessel by unconventional means.
In the early hours of Friday, October 7, the USS Wachusett rapidly moved under a full head of steam, and struck the CSS Florida on her starboard side. Several shots were exchanged between the two vessels, and the Florida eventually succumbed to Collins' demands for her surrender. Prisoners were brought off the Confederate vessel and she was towed out of the harbor, under fire of the forts in Bahia. Two Brazilian naval vessels gave chase, but the USS Wachusett, with the Florida in tow managed to elude them.
The following is a list of the officers and crew captured aboard the CSS Florida that morning, and taken back to the US for imprisonment. Several other officers and crewmen, including the commander of the Florida, Lieutenant Charles M. Morris, were ashore at the time of the seizure, and managed to evade capture. Eighteen of these prisoners were able to escape at St. Thomas, West Indies, on November 1, when the USS Wachuset stopped there for supplies. The captured officers, as well as two enlisted men were sent to Washington, and some of the rest of the men were sent to Fort Warren, Boston, Massachusetts, for incarceration.
William Ahern, First Assistant Engineer.
Charles Armerding, Seaman.
James Atherton, Coal Heaver.
J.T. Barclay, Seaman.
Henry Barry, Quartermaster.
William Beardon, Ordinary Seaman.
Peter Beck, Seaman.
Antonio Beferte, Seaman.
Peter Bell, Seaman.
Henry Bohn, Ordinary Seaman.
Joseph Bout, Seaman.
John Brogan, First Class Fireman.
John B. Brown, Second Assistant Engineer.
John T. Brown, Seaman.
George D. Bryan, Acting Master. (previously in US Navy)
Vincenzio Capitan, Second Class Fireman.
Emilie Carlos, Landsman.
Thomas J. Charlton, Passed Assistant Surgeon. (previously in US Navy)
John Cotten, First Class Boy.
Alfred, Cuthber, Landsman.
Thomas Emory, Assistant Surgeon.
George Florier, Fireman.
Richard S. Floyd, Master. (previously in US Navy)
Thomas George, Seaman.
Frederick Gilligan, Seaman.
John Gomarz, Coal Heaver.
Charles Green, Seaman.
George Hanson, Quarter Gunner.
James Hawthorne, Captain of Hold.
William Hill, Coal Heaver.
William Hillan, Captain's Afterguard.
John Hogan, Coal Heaver.
William Hogan, First Class Boy.
W.D. Hough, Captain's Clerk.
Joseph Hunter, Landsman.
Thomas T. Hunter, jr., Acting Master.
Charles Peter Johnson, Fireman. (native of Sweden)
Thomas Kehoe, Yeoman.
John Kiely, Fireman.
William Lindrose, Quartermaster.
Eugene Mastrello, Ordinary Seaman.
John McDonald, Boatswain's Mate.
Antonio Messina, Seaman.
Peter Mett, Seaman.
John Mohr, Ordinary Seaman.
James More, Seaman.
Walter Moss, Ordinary Seaman.
Joseph Mottue, Seaman.
Eugene Nemay, Seaman.
Henry Norman, Coxswain.
Solferino Patres, Ordinary Seaman.
Manod Perris, Second Class Fireman.
Thomas Kennedy Porter, First Lieutenant. (previously in US Navy)
Laurence Rabitch, Captain's Mate.
John Russel, Seaman.
George St. Clair, Surgeon's Steward.
Peter Silva, Seaman.
Terry Sinclair, Acting Midshipman.
Henry Smith, Seaman.
George Stenam, Second Captain of Forecastle.
Eugene Steptram, Seaman.
Antonio Stevanovitch, Seaman.
Sardine G. Stone, Lieutenant. (previously in US Navy)
Nicholas Terp, Fireman.
Winfield Scott Thompson, Chief Engineer. (previously in US Navy)
Conrad Velfongir, Landsman.
Edward Viclopusehi, Seaman.
James White, Surgeon's Steward.
R.Y. Williams, Ship's Corporal.
William Wilson, Master at Arms.
Walter Dulany, Civilian, a citizen of Baltimore, was passenger on the American ship Mondamin, which was captured by the CSS Florida, September 26, 1864. He was also aboard the Confederate vessel when she was taken by the USS Wachusett.
(Information on the events leading up to the seizure of the CSS Florida, as well the list of prisoners are included on pages 252-288, Series 1, Volume 3 of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion.)
Copyright, Terry Foenander