Civil War blockade runner found in Florida

TAMPA, Fla., Sept. 16 (UPI) -- A team of archaeologists says the sunken remains of a Civil War blockade runner have been found at the bottom of a Florida river.

John Morris of the Florida Aquarium announced that what was left of the steamship Scottish Chief was discovered at the bottom of the Hillsborough River in Tampa at a spot where a shipyard stood during the war.

The Scottish Chief was one of about a dozen ships that sailed past Union installations in the Keys to bring supplies from Cuba back into Tampa Bay.

The voyages came to an abrupt halt on 1863 when a party of Union sailors raided the shipyard and torched the cotton-laden Scottish Chief and the Kate Dale, The St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times said Wednesday.

Morris said the buried remains of the ship were picked up on sonar last month and confirmed Tuesday. An aquarium spokesman said they would try to raise enough money to excavate the remains.