A Glimpse at History

It has been recently reported in various Historical magazines that a Blockade Runner named the Kate Dale has been located in the alligator infested waters of the Hillsborough River. This ship was known to carry Confederate Cotton to Cuba and Beyond, Returning to Tampa with rum, medicine and food until Unionists burned the ship owned by Tampa’s James McKay on October 17, 1863.

McKay had started an import-export business in Tampa around 1855 and when the war came he turned several of his ships into blockade runners. McKay was imprisoned by Federals in October 1861, and later released after he was believed to pledge support to the Union. Locals suspected his ships were often allowed to pass through the blockade in exchange for secret service to the North.

Sounds like this could be a site of interest in the years to come to Civil War emthusiasts of both loyalties.

Have a historical Day!!!!!!!!!

Savannah

Filed under: Civil War Blogs by Savannah Meade