From the 290 Foundation "USS Colorado / Judah.
The William H. Judah was a 250-foot, two-masted schooner built c. 1859. In early September 1861, Confederacy contacted with the Judah & LeBaron Co. for use over an indefinite period of time to carry essential cargo. The company evidently was sympathetic to the cause and and didn't require guarantees as to its use.
Under command of Confederate officers, the Judah sailed from St. John, New Brunswick inn Canada, to Pensacola, Florida. with a mixed load of mercury, tin and lead ingots valued at some $40,000. It ran the Union blockade and entered Pensacola Harbor with no problems.
Union spies reported the Judah's arrival and learned that the Confederates were intending to turn the ship into an armed privateer and urged the Union Navy to do something about it before that happened.
The 40-gun USS Colorado steam frigate got the call to do the job.
--Old B-Runner
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