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Photo # NH 58884: Recapture of the schooner Enchantress, a prize of the Confederate privateer Jefferson Davis

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- SHIPS of the CONFEDERATE STATES --

Jefferson Davis (Confederate Privateer Brig, 1861).
Also known as Jeff Davis

Jefferson Davis, a 187-ton brig, was built in Baltimore, Maryland, in about 1845 as the merchant vessel Putnam. As the slaver Echo, she was captured off Cuba on 21 August 1858 by USS Dolphin. Sold by the U.S. Government in January 1859 to a Charleston, South Carolina, owner, she regained the name Putnam.

In May 1861, after the outbreak of the Civil War, Putnam was renamed Jefferson Davis (or Jeff Davis) and was commissioned as a Confederate privateer in mid-June. She left Charleston later in that month to begin an effective commerce-raiding cruise off the U.S. east coast, capturing nine merchant sailing vessels. Three of these were recaptured, three were released, one was burned and two, able to reach port in the Confederacy, were auctioned for the benefit of the privateer's owners and crew. While attempting to enter harbor at Saint Augustine, Florida, in mid-August 1861, Jefferson Davis went aground and was lost.

This page features the only views we have related to the Confederate privateer brig Jefferson Davis.


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: NH 58884

"Recapture of the Schooner 'Enchantress' by the Gun-boat 'Albatross'."


Line engraving, based on a sketch by Mr. Donovan, published in "Harper's Weekly", 1861.
The civilian schooner Enchantress was captured by the Confederate privateer Jefferson Davis on 6 July 1861. She was retaken by USS Albatross off Hatteras Inlet, North Carolina, on 20 July 1861.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 178KB; 740 x 615 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 58895

"Schooner 'S.J. Waring', Recaptured from the Pirates by the Negro Wm. Tillman."


Line engraving published in "Harper's Weekly", 3 August 1861.
The civilian schooner S.J. Waring was captured by the Confederate privateer Jefferson Davis in the Atlantic off Sandy Hook, New Jersey, on 6 July 1861. On 16 July, William Tilghman, the cook in her original crew, overwhelmed and killed her Confederate prize crew with an ax, recapturing the vessel. He brought her into New York on 22 July 1861.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 130KB; 580 x 675 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 59404

"The Attack on the Second Mate."


Line engraving published in "Harper's Weekly", 1861, depicting the recapture of the schooner S.J. Waring on 16 July 1861.
S.J. Waring had been captured by the Confederate privateer Jefferson Davis in the Atlantic on 6 July 1861. Ten days later, her African-American cook, William Tilghman, overwhelmed and killed her Confederate prize crew with an ax. He brought her into New York on 22 July 1861.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 166KB; 740 x 585 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 58885

"The United States Sloop of War 'Jamestown' driving the 'Alvarado' Ashore, near Fernandina, Florida."


Line engraving published in "Harper's Weekly", 28 September 1861.
The civilian bark Alvarado was captured by the Confederate privateer Jefferson Davis in the Atlantic on 21 July 1861. She driven ashore by USS Jamestown and burned near Fernandina, Florida, on 5 August 1861.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 156KB; 740 x 605 pixels

 


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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Page made 12 January 2002