Adriatic Lost On Way to New York-- Part 2: One of 30 Union Ships Captured By the CSS Tallahassee

In late July 1864, the sailing ship Adriatic left London, England, enroute to New York, carrying 170 German immigrants and 100 American citizens.  The ship was built in New York in 1861 and, in addition, was transporting about 1000 tons of supplies.

The CSS Tallahassee was a former blockade runner (SS Atalanta) which had been acquired by the Confederate government and commissioned as a commerce raider and commissioned in 1864.  It left its homeport of Wilmington, N.C.,  and began a voyage in August 1864, where it captured 30 ships.  Out of the 30, the Adriatic was the biggest prize.

When the two ships encountered, a collision caused the Tallahassee to lose a mast.

--Old B-R'er