Union Raiders Burn Tampa Blockade Runners
On October 18, 1863, a union task force of 85 soldiers found the “Scottish Chief” and “Kate Dale”, celebrated blockade runners, hidden in a remote anchorage in the Hillsborough River, near this site and set the ships afire. Owner-Skipper James McKay, I, had slipped through the Federal blockade six times.
The alarm reached Tampa Town and the mounted rebels caught up with the raiders at Ballast Point. Three Unionists and six confederates were killed. This is the only Civil War skirmish fought at Tampa Bay.
Marker can be reached from North Boulevard south of West Clinton Street, on the left when traveling north.
Courtesy hmdb.org
