The Strange Case of the CSS Tuscaloosa

MARCH 4TH, 1864: British authorities instructed the Governor of the Cape of Good Hope to restore the CSS Tuscaloosa to the Confederacy. The Tuscaloosa had formerly been the Conrad and had been captured by the CSS Alabama on June 20, 1863, and sent on a cruise under Lt. John Low, CSN. On 26 December, the Tuscaloosa had put into Simon's Bay, Capeof Good Hope after searching for Union merchant ships off Brazil.

The next day, the governor had had the ship seized for violating the laws of neutrality since it had never been adjucated in prize court.

Low promptly protested saying the Tuscaloosa had previously entered the harbor in August and taken on supplies and repairs. The governor had done nothing at that time.

The Tuscaloosa, however, was never reclaimed by the South and was eventually turned over to the Union.

Old B-Runner