The Virginius Incident
Featuring restored and colorized images by J.A. Sierra
Sidebars
- Captain Joseph Fry
- Report from Captain Castillo
- Report of Midshipman Don Angel Ortiz Monasterio
- Report from Commander Burriel on the Executions
- Report to U.S. Congress
1873...
The Cuban rebels are in the fourth year of their Ten-Year War for independence from the Spanish Empire. Against all odds they’ve managed to purchase and operate the ship Virginius to supply their forces, but the Spanish consider this a “pirate” ship.
After an 8-hour sea chase the Virginius is captured on October 31, 1873. The officers and crew are executed...
...including captain Joseph Fry and many others...
Soon, a diplomatic conflict emerges between the United States, the British Empire and the Spanish Empire. The conflict could lead to war…
The captured Virginius is eventually turned over to the American government. The ship is in such bad shape, that it is allowed to sink…
Twenty-five years later, a separate incident with a completely different ship has a very different outcome.