JULY 27TH
CSS Florida, Cmdr. Maffitt, sailed from Bermuda after being coaled and refitted. Three weeks later, the ship entered Brest, France, for a six-month overhaul, essentially ending the career of one of the most successful commerce raiders (and little-known compared to the Alabama. During this time, Maffitt is in poor health and asks to be relieved.
During the Florida;s career, it captured 37 prizes and its prizes/raiders Tacony and Clarence added another 20.
At Charleston, Beauregard requests that navy commander there, Captain Tucker, place his two ironclads by Cummings Point to strengthen defense, especially for Morris Island.. Tucker replies that he has an acute shortage of coal and needs to conserve.
In August, a new supply of coal arrives and the ironclads are able to help evacuate Fort Wahner.
Critical coal shortages hurt the Confederate naval effort. And most of what they could get was"soft" bituninous coal which produced heavy smoke and was lessefficient than the "hard" anthracite.
Coal Me. --Old B-Runner
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