Salvador Pirates facts for kids

The Salvador Pirates was a name given to a group of sailors from the Confederate States Navy during the American Civil War. These sailors tried to take control of a passenger ship called the Salvador while it was sailing on the open ocean. Their plan was to turn this ship into a warship. They wanted to use it to attack other ships, especially those belonging to the Pacific Mail Steamship Company and American ships that hunted whales in the Pacific Ocean.

The Secret Plan

In the spring of 1864, the Confederate Navy gave a secret order to Captain Thomas Egenton Hogg and his team. They were told to board a coastal steamer in Panama City. Once the ship was far out at sea, they were supposed to take it over. After seizing the ship, they planned to add weapons to it. Their goal was to then attack the Pacific Mail Steamship Company steamers and the whale-hunting ships in the Pacific Ocean.

How the Plan Was Discovered

The American consul, Thomas Savage, who was a government official in Havana, found out about this secret plan. He quickly told Rear Admiral George F. Pearson in Panama City. Admiral Pearson then had people watch the passengers boarding ships in Panama City.

Captain Hogg's group was found on board the Panama Railroad steamer named Salvador. A team from the USS Lancaster quickly arrested them. The arrested sailors were then taken to San Francisco.

What Happened Next

The group, who became known as the Salvador Pirates, faced serious accusations for their actions. They were found responsible and were supposed to receive a very harsh punishment. However, General Irvin McDowell changed their punishment to something less severe.

To stop anyone else from trying to take over ships on the Pacific coast, General McDowell made new rules. He ordered that all passengers boarding American merchant ships had to give up any weapons they had. Also, every passenger and their bags were searched. To keep the ships safe, all the officers on board were given weapons.