3-011-587 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Burning of the United States' mail-steamer Roanoke, off St. George's, Bermuda, on the 9th of October, 1864. Engraving from a sketch by one of the passengers. 'The captain and crew were surprised by a party of ten men...under the command of Lieutenant Braine, who went through the ship dressed in a naval uniform, exclaiming, "In the name of the Confederate States of America, I demand the surrender of this vessel as a lawful prize," and calling upon Captain Drew, the commander of the Roanoke, to surrender as a prisoner of war. The announcement was immediately followed by the discharge of several pistols, with which the attacking party were armed...Some of the officers of the Roanoke were put in irons for a few hours during the night, but the passengers were treated with the utmost civility and friendship. When the vessel arrived off Bermuda, it was Lieutenant Braine's purpose to bring her into the port of St. George's, lay in a stock of provisions and coals, then parole and land the passengers, officers, and crew, and take the vessel to Wilmington; but, it having been found impossible to take the vessel into the British port, the only thing he could do was to burn the Roanoke'. From "Illustrated London News", 1864.