British customs seize the Laird rams at Birkenhead
October 9, 1863, Birkenhead, United Kingdom.
- Date
- October 9, 1863
- Where
- Birkenhead, United Kingdom
- What happened
- Captured
- Event
- 88 of 174
James Bulloch had contracted with Lairds in 1862 for two turret rams at 93,750 pounds each, meant to break the blockade. Bulloch moved their ownership to French bankers in June 1863 under a cover story of an Egyptian purchase, and the U.S. minister Charles F. Adams protested. The Surveyor of Customs seized both ships on October 9, 1863, and Britain bought them for the Royal Navy in 1864.
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