Tuesday, October 7, 2014

150 Years Ago Today: The USS Wachusett Seizes the CSS Florida-- Part 2: "For the Public Good"

Commander Napoleon Collins' actions, though cheered in the North, especially among maritime merchants and shipowners, because of all the "depredations" the ship committed against Northern commerce.  However, it was definitely a violation of international law and the Union knew it.  Secretary of State Seward promptly disavowed the seizure.

The Florida was taken to Hampton Roads, arriving there on 12 November.  She was ordered returned to the Brazilian government, but before she could be readied for the trip, she "mysteriously" sank.

Commander Collins was courtmartialed and ordered dismissed from the naval service.  At the trial the dauntless commander admitted his actions had violated international law, offering in his defense only the following statement: "I respectfully request that it may be entered on the records of the court as my defense that the capture of the Florida was for the public good."

Secretary Welles concurred, especially in view of the damage the Florida had done, and restored Collins to his command.  The furor over the capture, however, did not die down.  At length, to further satisfy Brazil, a 21-gun salute as an "amende honorable" was fired by the USS Nipsic in Bahia Harbor, 23 July 1866.

One Way to Get Rid of a Thorn.  --Old B-R'er

No comments:

Post a Comment