"The Banks Expedition- a Confederate Schooner running into the United States transport <em>Che-Kiang</em>, off the Florida reefs, on the night of December 11th, 1862, with the intention of sinking her. On the night of December 11th, 1862, as the United States transport <em>Che-Kiang</em>, laden with troops, was off the Florida Reefs, a schooner supposed to be a Confederate one, ran at full sail against the <em>Che-Kiang</em>. As the latter vessel was painted white and had no lights burning, there can be little doubt it was a daring and desperate attempt to wreck the transport, more especially as the schooner's crew, immediately after the collision, put off into a boat and rowed away with all expedition. After disengaging herself from the sinking schooner the <em>Che-Kiang</em> pursued her way, and reached Ship Island in such a leaky condition that the troops had to be landed."&mdash; Frank Leslie, 1896

Che-Kiang

"The Banks Expedition- a Confederate Schooner running into the United States transport Che-Kiang,…