APRIL 18TH, 1861: USS Merrimack was reported ready for sea at Norfolk by Chief Engineer Isherwood.
** Secretary of Navy Welles wrote Captain Hiram Paulding: "You are directed to proceed forthwith to Norfolk and take command of all naval forces there afloat...On no account should the arms and munitions be permitted to fall into the hands of the insurrectionists, or those who would wrest them from the custody of the government; and should it finally become necessary, you will in order to prevent that result, destroy the property."
** U.S. schooner Buchanan (lighthouse tender), Master Thomas Cullen, was seized and taken to Richmond, Virginia.
--Old B-Runner
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