Additionally, each of the officers on "Oneida" testified that Preble had done no wrong. According to their accounts, "Florida" appeared at around 5:00 PM on September 4, 1862 bearing the ensign of a ship of the English Navy. Preble was in command of "Oneida" and . Because the other ships were in for repairs, the usual complement of six ships had been reduced to two. "Winona" had been dispatched to chase another blockade runner and was returning from that chase when "Florida" began her run. One of "Oneida"s iron boilers had been shut down for repairs leaving only one in operation. (One of the officers stated that the Navy's choice to use cheaper iron rather than steel was the actual cause of the problem.)