re of Vera Cruz and in the
conquest of California.

When in 1861 civil war was begun in Charleston Harbor, our navy
consisted of ninety vessels, of which only forty were in commission, and
these were distributed in distant seas. The entire naval force available
at the beginning of that war for the defense of our Atlantic sea-board
was the _Brooklyn_, of twenty-five guns, and a store-ship carrying two
guns. The Confederates seized revenue-cutters in Southern ports. Ships
were got ready, and early in April, 1861, a squadron was sent to the
relief of Fort Sumter. But it could effect nothing. Very soon afterward
the Confederates seized the Navy-yard at Norfolk, and several ships of
war were destroyed there to prevent their falling into the hands of the
enemies of the republic. The Confederates fitted out privateers to prey
upon our commerce; but these were soon disposed of by government
vessels, which, forty-three in number, blockaded the Southern ports by
midsummer. Nevertheless, numerous British ships, in violation of
neutrality laws, slipped into Southern ports with supplies for the
Confederates.

Danger made the Navy Department very active. Vessels were bought and
built, and fully armed and manned. Two hundred and fifty-nine naval
officers of Southern birth left the government service and joined the
Confederates at the beginning of the war. Their places were soon filled
by patriotic men of equal ability, and there was always an ample supply.

In August, 1861, a land and naval force went from Hampton Roads to
capture forts erected by the Confederates at Hatteras Inlet. The vessels
were commanded by Commodore Stringham. The expedition was successful.
Soon afterward both the national government and the Confederates began
to build vessels covered with iron plates, and called "iron-clads." The
Federals built a flotilla of twelve gun-boats on the Mississippi early
in 1862, a part of them iron-clad, and placed them under the command of
Flag-officer Foote. They carried all together one hundred and twenty-six
guns. These performed admirable service soon afterward in assisting the
army in the capture of Forts Henry and Donelson, in Tennessee, and all
through the war they were active and efficient in Western rivers.

Late in October, 1861, a powerful land and naval force left Hampton
Roads to take possession of the coasts of South Carolina. The ships were
commanded by Commodore S. F. Dupont. The entrance to Port Royal Sound
wa