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
Showing posts with label Collins Napoleon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Collins Napoleon. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
150 Years Ago: USS Wachusett Seizes the CSS Florida-- Part 1
SEPTEMBER 7TH, 1864: The USS Wachusett, Commander Napoleon Collins, captured the CSS Florida, Lt. Morris, in Bahia Harbor, Brazil, and towed her out to sea. Collins, who had been scouring te sea lanes for the Florida for many months, saw her enter Bahia on 4 October and anchored close in the next morning. Collins offered to meet Morris outside the harbor in a ship duel, but the Confederate commander wisely declined.
The Brazilian authorities, recognizing the explosiveness of the situation, exacted promises from both Morris and the U.S. consul, Thomas Wilson, that no attacks would be made in Brazilian waters.
Collins, however, was not about to let the Florida escape him again and made plans to attack her shortly after midnight on the 7th. At 3 a.m. he slipped his cable, steamed past the Brazilian gunboat anchored between his ship and the Florida, and rammed the famous Confederate raider in her starboard quarter.
After a brief exchange of cannon fire, Lt. Porter, commanding the Florida in Morris' absence, surrendered the ship. By this time, the harbor was alive, and as the Wachusett towed her long sought-after prize to sea, the Brazilian fort opened fire on her.
Another raider Done Gone. --Old B-Runner
The Brazilian authorities, recognizing the explosiveness of the situation, exacted promises from both Morris and the U.S. consul, Thomas Wilson, that no attacks would be made in Brazilian waters.
Collins, however, was not about to let the Florida escape him again and made plans to attack her shortly after midnight on the 7th. At 3 a.m. he slipped his cable, steamed past the Brazilian gunboat anchored between his ship and the Florida, and rammed the famous Confederate raider in her starboard quarter.
After a brief exchange of cannon fire, Lt. Porter, commanding the Florida in Morris' absence, surrendered the ship. By this time, the harbor was alive, and as the Wachusett towed her long sought-after prize to sea, the Brazilian fort opened fire on her.
Another raider Done Gone. --Old B-Runner
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