His Excellency William H. Seward, &c.,
&c., &c.
Statement of John M. Cavarly, master of the
ship Anglo Saxon, of New York, captured and burned by the
privateer Florida.
On this 25th day of August, in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred
and sixty-three, before me, J. M. Kenos, vice-consul of the United
States of America for Brest, personally appeared John M. Cavarly,
late master of the American ship called the Anglo Saxon, of New
York, and declared as follows:
We sailed from Liverpool on Monday morning, August 17, 1863, bound to
New York. We had strong gales from the west to NW. till Wednesday
morning, when we took the mid at N. NW.
Passed Tuskan light-house on Wednesday night. Thursday, light winds
from the NW. all day: ship standing to the W. SW.
Friday morning, August 21, at 5, the second officer came to my room
and said there was a steamer near us coming towards the ship. I went
on deck at once. The ship lay becalmed; her courses were hauled up.
The steamer came under our stern, hailed the ship, and asked where
from and where bound. He then sent a boat on board the ship; told me
to take my papers and go on board the steamer.
I went on board the steamer; the captain took my papers and looked at
them; he then said: Your ship is a prize to the confederate steamer
Florida, Captain Maffitt. He told me to take my clothing—my ship’s
company the same—and come on board the Florida at once. I then asked
him to bond the ship. His reply was, my cargo was a contraband of
war; he should burn the ship.
They took all the provisions, sails, cordage, canvas, &c., they
wanted from the ship, besides my two chronometers, barometer, all my
charts, sextant octant, in fact, all the nautical instruments
belonging to the ship, besides some spars, and many other things.
They did not allow any of my crew or officers to take their trunks
or chests.
When my ship’s company were on board, all but myself and my officers
and cook were put in irons. I had a channel pilot on board when the
ship was captured. We both judged the ship to be twenty-five miles
from Queenstown. At noon on Friday, August 21, after they had taken
all they wished from the Anglo Saxon, they set my ship on fire, and
fired two broadsides of shot and shell at her. The Florida then
steered to the SW.; spoke two vessels the same afternoon; both were
British, and refused to take their prisoners. On Sunday morning saw
the land, which was Ushant. In the afternoon anchored in the harbor;
were quarantined till Monday afternoon, when we were landed in
Brest. The American consul took charge of myself, officers, and
crew.
And together with the said master also came Arthur Snow, chief
officer; W. Parmer, second mate; B. Balls, third mate; John Brown,
carpenter; George Brown, seaman, of and belonging to the said ship,
all of whom, being by me duly sworn, did severally, voluntarily;
freely, and solemnly declare that the above statement is according
to the truth.
In testimony whereof, they have hereunto subscribed their names; and
I, the said vice-consul, have granted to the said master this public
instrument under my hand and the seal of this vice-consulate to
serve and avail him and all others whom it doth or may concern as
need and occasion may require.
[l.
s.]
KENOS, United States
Vice-Consul.
JOHN M. CAVARLY, Master.
ARTHUR L. SNOW.
B. BALLS.
JOHN BROWN.
GEORGE BROWN.
[Page 766]
I, the undersigned vice-consul of the United States, do hereby
certify that the foregoing copy is true and faithful.
{Seal of the consulate at Brest. }
KENOS.
Brest, August 29,
1863.
