On 7 October 1864, while in command of the screw sloop Wachusett, Collins took his ship into a neutral harbor and captured the Confederate cruiser CSS Florida, sparking a minor diplomatic crisis between the United States and the Empire of Brazil.

However, since his seizure of Florida was both militarily effective and popularly acclaimed in the Northern states, the sentence was not carried out.

Napoleon Collins remained active in the post-war Navy, reaching the ranks of captain in July 1866 and rear admiral in August 1874.

On 9 August 1875, while in command of the South Pacific Squadron, he died at Lima, Peru.

This article incorporates public domain material from Rear Admiral Napoleon Collins, USN, (1814-1875).