Posted inMaritime & Naval History US Civil War

February 17, 1863 – News of the Florida

By the arrival of the Creole we have the following intelligence from-Havana:

The Confederate gunboat Florida was coaling at Havana on the 20th ult. She departed the next day, the Bio Bio hence for New York, via Havana, leaving at the same time, but did not molest the latter, owing, it is said, to a pledge given the Captain General to that effect. The San Jacinto pursued the Florida immediately upon her leaving port, but she eluded her pursuer. A number of other U. S. war vessels subsequently went in search of the Florida, and succeeded in compelling her to take refuge in Kingston, Jamaica, where she was lying at last accounts. Among the vessels destroyed by the Florida was a bark from New Orleans (name unknown) with a cargo of sugar and molasses for a northern port. The purser of the Creole favors us with the following:

Posted inMaritime & Naval History Ship Histories

Havana Services In Memory Victims Battleship Maine

Havana, Cuba. Feb. 15.—(AP)—Honors were paid !ate today to the 266 officers and men of the United States battleship Maine who perished when the warship was blown up in Havana Harbor 28 years ago today.

In the presence of the president of Cuba and the American ambassador, a tablet containing the names of the men who met death in the disaster was unveiled on the Maine monument. President Machado in an address said the object of the gathering was to render loving tribute to the dead.

Posted inDaily News Local Histories Maritime & Naval History Ship Histories Shipwrecks & Nautical Disasters

Three Drowned in Schooner’s Wreck

18 Others Saved as Vessel Grounds Off Mass. Coast

OWN FAULT OF VICTIMS

Those Who Lost Lives Returned To Ship To Get Belongings—Another Daring Sea Rescue Reported

Gloucester, Mass., Feb. 10 (AP)—Three members of the fishing schooner Ralph Brown‘s crew lost their lives today when the vessel was driven ashore in the blizzard off Briar Neck. Eighteen others, including the captain, reached shore safely. Although all suffered from exposure and cold.

Had Returned To Boat

The three men who lost their lives were drowned after they, with other members of the crew, had gone back to the schooner to get their clothes and other belongings after she had been washed to tho shore. The others managed to get off before a huge wave struck the 100 foot craft and drove her farther out to sea, but the victims found themselves helpless as the ship was battered by the roaring breakers. The vessel was pounded to pieces.

Posted inDaily News

Chinese Women Soldiers Killed in Battle

Die Bravely in Defense of Town

Entire Unit Is Annihilated By Vicious Japanese Onslaught

By EDNA LEE BOOKER

SHANGHAI, Feb. 10 (I.N.S.). —A fighting unit of 24 Chinese women soldiers was destroyed in a brave defense of the village of Woosung when it was invaded by Japanese forces two days ago, it was revealed today.

The modem Amazons, armed with old-fashioned rifles and long bayonets, had been guarding the road on the outskirts of the village, according to Carl Lemcke and Harvey Duncan, American business men who encountered them Monday.