Blockade-Runners Took Advantage of Florida's Coast-- Part 2

THE EGMONT KEY LIGHTHOUSE

There was a lighthouse on Egmont Key, but the lens and equipment of it had been taken away by Confederates and hidden in Tampa.  Some equipment turned up during a brief Union occupation in May 1864.  The rest was returned and the light repaired and activated at the close of the war.


CONFEDERATE BLOCKADE-RUNNERS

Captains James McKay, Edward A. Clarke and Christoher L. Friebele were some of the best-known Tampa blockade-runners.  They would take cotton past the blockaders to Havana or Nassau and return with medicines, clothing, cigars, coffee, muskets and other munitions of war.

By far, the best-known was James McKay, a prominent person in the early history of Tampa.  His first ship, the Salvor, was captured and confiscated.  After his release, he acquired two more vessels, the steamer Scottish Chief and sloop Kate Dale, and continued his business.

In October 1863, the Union blockade learned that both vessels were at Hillsborough River in Tampa Bay and determined to end their careers.  The USS Tahoma and Adela sailed into Hillsborough Bay and landed 85 men at Gadsden Point.  At daybreak, they surprised the crews of the two runners who surrendered.

More to Come.  --Old B-R'er