The New International Encyclopædia/Florida (vessel)

FLORIDA. The first of the Confederate privateering vessels, built at Liverpool by Laird, a member of Parliament. She sailed from Liverpool in March, 1862, under the name of the Oreto; was equipped at Nassau, Bahamas, with an armament of two seven-inch and six six-inch guns, and in September ran the blockade into Mobile Harbor. On January 6, 1863, she ran out as the Florida. In the Brazilian port of Bahia she was captured by the Wachusett, under Capt. Napoleon Collins (October 7, 1864). Her seizure was a violation of the neutrality laws, and gave rise to much excitement. The Florida was taken to Hampton Roads, where she was sunk not long after.