These two fine boats were well known to me. The former was named after
Mrs. J.G. Wright, of Wilmington, the beautiful daughter of Capt. John
N. Maffitt, who commanded my ship the _Lilian_, a sister boat.
The _Florie_ was owned by the State of Georgia and by some of its
prominent citizens, Gov. Joseph Brown, Col. C.A.L. Lamar, and others.
She made several successful runs to Wilmington, but her end is clouded
in mystery. There is no record of her fate except a report by some
"intelligent contrabands" to the Federal fleet that she was sunk inside
the bar in Cape Fear River; whether by accident or by shell fire I am
unable to ascertain. It was said that the _Badger_, sister ship to the
_Lynx_, came to her end the same way after making several runs through
the fleet.
* * * * *
The following order of the Confederate Secretary of the Navy to Capt.
John N. Maffitt, who was then in command of the _Owl_, will explain why
so many valuable ships were run ashore rather than surrendered into the
hands of the Federals:
Order of the Secretary of the Navy to Commander Maffitt, C.S. Navy,
repeating telegram of instructions regarding the command of the
blockade runner _Owl_.
"Confederate States of America,
"Navy Department, Richmond,
"_September 19, 1864_.
"Sir: The following telegram was this day sent to you:
"It is of the first importance that our steamers should not fall into
the enemy's hands. Apart from the specific loss sustained by the
country in the capture of blockade runners, these vessels, lightly
armed, now constitute the fleetest and most efficient part of his
blockading force off Wilmington.
"As commanding officer of the _Owl_ you will please devise and adopt
thorough and efficient means for saving all hands and destroying the
vessel and cargo whenever these measures may become necessary to
prevent capture. Upon your firmness and ability the Department relies
for the execution of this important trust. In view of this order, no
passenger will, as a general rule, be carried. Such exceptions to this
rule as the public interests may render necessary, embracing those who
may be sent by the Government, will receive special permits from this
Department.
"Assistant Paymaster Tredwell has been instructed to pay over to you,
taking your receipt for the same, 5,000 pounds in sterling bills. You
will please keep an accurate account with vouchers in duplicate of all
your expenditures, one set of which you will submit to Mr. W.H. Peters,
our special agent at Wilmington, upon each round trip you may make.
"I am respectfully your obedient servant,
"S.R. Mallory,
"_Secretary of the Navy_.
"Commander John N. Maffitt, _C.S. Navy_,
"Care W.H. Peters, Esq.,
"Wilmington, N.C."