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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
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.
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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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Page made 12 January 2002