The Virginius, now in complete disrepair and…

The Virginius, now in complete disrepair and taking on water, is towed out to open sea with the U. S. flag flying to be turned over to the U. S. Navy on December 16.

U. S. Captain W.D. Whiting, on board the USS Despatch, agrees with Spanish Commander Manuel de la Cámara to receive the Virginius the following day.

On December 17, at exactly 9:00 AM, the Virginius is formally turned over to the U. S. Navy without incident.

The same day, after an investigation, U.S. Attorney George H. Williams rules that the U.S. ownership of Virginius was fraudulent and she had had no right to fly the U. S. flag; however, Spain had had no right to capture the Virginius and her crew on the open sea.