The Florida on a Frolic.
--We find the following in the Mobile Evening News, of Friday last:‘ The Confederate States steamer Florida came up to town about 7½ o'clock this morning, and now lies in the stream not a bit the worse for her brush yesterday morning, which is more than the enemy can say for himself. As far as we have been able to ascertain the particulars of the affair, they are as follows, and from a reliable source:
About 9 o'clock yesterday morning, (4th instant,) the Florida, Capt. Welles, C. S. N., came in sight of a large three-masted propeller, inside of Horn Island Pass, and put after her, first signaling to the Pamlico, which was in company, to turn back. The enemy showed some disposition to fight, but after exchanging a few shots, concluded to try her heels, in which she had a superiority. The Florida however, pursued her for about three miles outside the Pass, when she relinquished the chase, the sea being too rough for her to wore her guns with effect.
During this brush the enemy fired eight shots; the Florida, desirous of crippling him before he could get out of the way, fired some sixty shot and shell, several of which must have hit. The enemy did not show his colors till near the close of the action. The Florida fought at great disadvantage in one respect, owing to her steering apparatus being out of order, but showed a decided superiority in the effectiveness of her armament. That gun which scared the Massachusetts so badly, and had nearly proved fatal to her, is evidently a better piece, or much better handled, than any which the enemy have.
As the enemy are by this time pretty well acquainted with the Florida --having fired fully a hundred shot at her, but ineffectually — we suppose there is no indiscretion in saying that she is very much changed from her former gay, first class hotel appearance, having been relieved of her upper works and painted as black as the inside of her smoke stack. She carries a jib forward, and we suppose some steering sail art when requisite.
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