USS De Soto-- Part 6: East Gulf Blockading Squadron

The De Soto was now a part of the East Gulf Blockading squadron under Rear Admiral Theodorus Bailey.  March and April 1863 were largely spent looking for the CSS Alabama in the Gulf of Mexico

Capturing Four Blockade Runners in Two days.

The Civil War Naval Chronology says the De Soto captured all four on the same day, April 24.  On April 24, the De Soto captured two sloops, the Jane Adele and Bright, 16 hours out of Mobile, each loaded with cotton.  The next day, it captured the schooners General Prim and Rapid, also with cotton.  All four were sent to Key West for adjudication in prize court.

Then, April 27, the De Soto seized the British schooner Clarita en route from Havana to Matamoras.

Five Captures in four days, not a bad week's work.

Lots of Prize Money to Split Also.  --Old B-Runner