Navy O.R.-- Series I--Volume 2 [S# 2]
Operations Of The Cruisers--Confederate.
From January 1, 1863, To March 31, 1864. pp. 714-808
Letter from the governor of the Cape of Good Hope to the Duke of Newcastle, announcing the seizure, by his order, of the C. S. tender Tuscaloosa
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
Cape Town, January 11, 1864.
My LORD DUKE: I very much regret having to acquaint your Grace that the Confederate prize vessel the Tuscaloosa, has again entered Simon's Bay, and that the naval commander in chief and myself have come to the conclusion that, in obedience to the orders transmitted to his Excellency by the admiralty and to me by your Grace's dispatch of the 4th November last, it was our duty to take possession of the vessel and to hold her until properly claimed by her original owners.
[extensive excerpt]
Further examination of the case of the Conrad.
From an examination of the correspondence in this case, brought on board after the shifts papers had been examined, it appeared that Mr. Armstrong, the English party shipping a part of the cargo, swears before his consul that he and one Dr. Frederico Elortondo are the owners of the property, and swears before the U.S. consul that he is the sole owner of the property, Both of these oaths can not be true. It further appears that while the property in the bill of lading is consigned to Simon de Visser, esq., in the letters to Messrs. Kirkland & Von Sachs it is spoken of as consigned to them. These letters make no mention, either, of any joint ownership with Armstrong, but treat the consignment as his sole property.
[excerpt]
Sunday, June 28.--Weather cloudy, with a long, heavy swell from the S. W.; wind moderate from the S.E. At 4:30 this morning we brought to a heavy ship with a blank cartridge, or rather she seemed to come to of her own accord, as she was evidently outsailing us and was, when we fired, at very long range. Soon after heaving to she burned a blue light, and while our boat with a light in it was pulling toward her she burned another. She afterwards said that she would not have hove to but that she thought we might be in distress. The boarding officer reported us as the U. S. S. Dacotah, and demanded to see the ship's papers, which was refused, the master telling him that he had no right to see his papers. The boarding officer having been informed of her name (the Vernon), and that she was from Melbourne for London, and being satisfied from observation that she was really an English ship, she being one of the frigate-built Melbournepackets so well known, returned on board, and the ship filled away, and she was already at considerable distance from us when I received the boarding officer's report. Under all these circumstances I did not chase him afresh to enforce my belligerent right of search. Cui bono, the vessel being really English? Although, indeed, the resistance to search by a neutral is good cause of capture, I could only capture to destroy, and I would not burn an English ship (being satisfied of her nationality) if the master persisted in not showing his papers. Nor did I feel that the Confederate States flag had any insult to revenge, as the insult, if any, was intended for the Yankee flag. Most probably, however, the ship being a packet ship;' and a mail packet, the master erred from ignorance.
[end of excerpt]
==================================
Navy O.R.-- Series I--Volume 3 [S# 3]
Operations Of The Cruisers--Union.
From April 1, 1864, To December 30, 1865. pp. 160-200
U. S. S. BRITANNIA,
Off New Inlet, N. C., August 26, 1864.
SIR: On getting underway last evening I ran in on the southern part of No. 2 station, keeping the Mound light bearing from W. by S. to W. S. W. At 9:45 saw a rocket about N. E. thrown toward S. W., and shortly after several rockets were seen thrown in different directions, with considerable firing. Went to quarters. Saw one green or blue light and two Coston challenges burned to N. E. Saw no answer. At 10:15 exchanged signals with Niphon to southward. Backed ship slowly into 4½ fathoms, Mound light bearing W. S. W. ½ W. Much signaling from Fort Fisher, the Mound, and batteries to northward. At 10:30 ship in 4½ to 4¾ fathoms water, heading about S. E.; saw a stranger on our port quarter running alongshore toward Fort Fisher. Put the helm hard aport and went ahead fast, and fired as soon as the guns would bear. Continued firing and chasing until she was close under Fort Fisher, in white water, the breakers being between us and her. She fired one shrapnel at us, which burst close aboard, cutting our starboard paddle box a little. The Mound also fired at us, and the stranger being past Fort Fisher, we hauled off into 5½ fathoms. I feel confident that two shells took effect on her; one from 12-pounder rifled howitzer exploded directly over her, lighting up her decks and showing that she was a white propeller with two smokestacks and one mast. At about 1 o'clock a.m. saw several rockets and guns to N. E. Saw no vessel, though the middle and latter part of the night heard continued firing from direction of Fort Caswell.
Very respectfully,
SAMUEL HUSE,
Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, Commanding.
Acting Rear-Admiral S. P. LEE,
Comdg. North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, Beaufort, N. C.
-----Navy O.R.-- Series I--Volume 3 [S# 3]
Operations Of The Cruisers--Union.
From April 1, 1864, To December 30, 1865. pp. 250-300
U.S. IRONCLAD ATLANTA,
Off Newport News, Va., November 28, 1864.
SIR: I respectfully submit to you a report of the sinking of the prize steamer Florida, which reported here on the 25th instant with orders to lie under the guns of this vessel. She was moored, as ordered above (within range of our guns), with the assistance of men from this vessel, lying with open hawse to northwest and 45 fathoms on each chain, in 9 fathoms water, she leaking very badly at the time. At 1 o'clock 28th instant the signal of distress which had been agreed upon (the burning of a blue light) was made on board the Florida. I immediately sent an armed boat's crew in charge of Acting Ensign [Henry] Wakefield up to her to ascertain the cause of trouble. Mr. Wakefield soon returned and reported the Florida in a sinking condition, fires out, and filling rapidly, and requiring assistance. I sent two boats' crews on board and went on board myself first giving orders to have steam ready and cables ready for slipping on board the Atlanta.
When I got on board the Florida I found, as had been reported, the fires out and the water within 18 inches of the berth deck, and rising very rapidly. Captain Baker had been working the main hand pumps, which were the only ones that could be got to work with any effect. The men and officers were then getting their personal effects into the boats, and our men assisted until they were all in the boats alongside, when the pumps were again manned and bailing parties placed at the hatches aft to lend all assistance possible, but with all that it did not appear to have any effect, for the water rose very rapidly. The pumping and bailing was continued vigorously until the water came over the berth deck, when it was deemed useless to continue it longer, as there was no possible hope of keeping her afloat for any length of time, and, not knowing how soon she might go down, all the boats were ordered to drop off from the vessel and await orders. Captain Baker and myself remained on board until the water was within 3 feet of the spar deck, and, supposing she would soon go down, all the boats were ordered to go alongside the Atlanta and put everything on board there which had been taken from the Florida. It was then about 5 a.m. I soon after went on shore and telegraphed you that the Florida was sinking, and as I started off I saw the tug Columbus coming up from Fort Monroe. I pulled alongside and asked the captain if he would take the Florida in tow and try to get her into shoal water, provided the chains could be slipped in time. He said he would do so. I then boarded the Florida again with Captain Baker, and the tug came up alongside to give out the towrope, but found it was too late, as the water was then flowing over her spar deck and the ship had commenced sinking, at the same time listing to port. I ordered the tug to drop off and I also pulled away clear of her, and had but just time to get away when she went down stern foremost, and now lies with a list to port with tops just even with the water. As soon as she went down I went on shore and sent another telegram to you, informing you of the fact. She went down at 7 a.m. The officers and men which belonged to her are now on board this vessel, with the exception of Captain Baker, who went down to the fort to report to you in person. I could not ascertain the cause of the leak, but the supposition was that one of the pipes leading outboard had burst.
Captain Baker will probably give you a more detailed account of the sad occurrence, but I deemed it my duty to also submit a report of what came under my observation concerning the affair. Considerable rigging and all the spars above the tops can be saved, but I have not taken anything off as yet, as I thought it proper to await orders from you before doing so.
I will keep a light at night on the spars above water as a guide to passing steamers to avoid her.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
THOS. J. WOODWARD,
Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, Commanding.
Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER,
Commanding North Atlantic Squadron.
-----