Drowne, Byron P., (1848-1933) Vessels captured within the limits of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01008.01 Author/Creator: Drowne, Byron P., (1848-1933) Place Written: s.l. Type: Manuscript document Date: 1863-1865 Pagination: 1 v. : 35 p. ; 31.5 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
Ledger book lists 42 ships captured from South Carolina to Florida with inclusive dates of October 3, 1863 to May 5, 1865. Six columns listed as: Prize (name of the vessel), Class, Whom captured, Where captured, Where sent, and Remarks. Occasionally, entries detail cargo found aboard the ship. Several are also marked "paid," probably referring to the prize money that was paid out for the captured ship. It is noted that on page 28, the vessel named Amazon had been captured from the Confederate forces. Found aboard were 11 enslaved people (unnamed in the ledger) and 84 bales of cotton.
Book was kept by Drowne, a midshipman who worked under the paymaster of the squadron. Note by Drowne's descendent Lorna Drowne Moscrip in file says that Drowne joined the U.S. Navy in 1863 at the age of 15 with parental consent. He claimed he would run away from home if he was not given permission to join. He was a record-keeper and paymaster. In later life he settled in El Paso, Texas and transported gold shipments for Wells Fargo. He died at the age of 85 in Oakland, California.
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