Still on the destruction of the Blockade-Runner Kate Dale. Yesterday, I wrote about the USS Tahoma, one of the two Union warships that participated in the raid on Tampa, Florida, that resulted in the Kate Dale's destruction.
The Tahoma was a ship constructed specifically for the Union Navy. The USS Adela, on the other hand, was a captured blockade-runner. What better way to capture a blockade-runner than to use a former one?
The 211 foot long, 23 foot beam Adela mounted 4 cannons and was capable of speeds up to 12 knots. This fast, iron-hulled sidewheeler originally operated out of Belfast, Ireland, before running the blockade and being captured by the Union Navy.
CAPTURE
On July 7, 1862, she was spotted by the USS Quaker City and USS Huntsville off Great Abaco Island and given chase. Four warning shots were fired and when the Adela didn't stop, a 5th and 6th shell hit her, causing the captain, James Walker, to surrender the ship. He was a former Cunard Line commander and had captained the Great Eastern. The Adela was towed to Key West and turned over to the Admiralty Court.
The British government protested because the Adela was carrying two bags of Royal mail and this delayed proceedings, but in the end, the Adela was condemned and purchased by the Navy and fitted out for its new role at the New York Navy Yard.
More to Come. --Old Blockade-Runner
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
