USS Despatch (1873) - The Virginius Affair, 1873

The Virginius Affair, 1873

Purchased for dispatch duty because of her speed, Despatch was assigned to the North Atlantic Station and joined the fleet in December 1873 at Key West, Florida, in anticipation of war with Spain over the seizure of the American filibustering steamer Virginius by the Spanish cruiser Tornado. The Spanish had taken Virginius into port at Santiago de Cuba in Cuba and summarily condemned her, with 53 of her passengers and crew executed (see Virginius Affair). After lengthy diplomatic negotiations, 102 survivors were delivered on board Juniata, and Virginius was ordered to be turned over to Captain W. D. Whiting, Chief of Staff of the North Atlantic Fleet. Despatch carried Capt. Whiting to Bahia Honda to take charge of Virginius, and took Virginius in tow for Key West.

Despatch remained with the fleet, serving as dispatch vessel and participating in squadron drills until arriving at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C., which became her new base on 24 April 1874.