October 31, 1863: Establishment of the Confederate States Naval Academy-- Part 1

OCTOBER 31ST, 1863:  During October instruction began for 52 midshipmen at the Confederate States Naval Academy.  Lieutenant W.H. Parker, CSN, was Superintendent of the "floating academy" housed on board the CSS Patrick Henry at Drewry's Bluff on the James River.

The initial move to establish a naval academy was taken in December 1861 when the Confederate Congress passed a bill calling for "some form of education" for midshipmen.  Further legislation in the spring of 1862 provided for the appointment of 106 acting midshipmen to the Naval Academy.

In May 1862, the Patrick Henry was designated as the academy ship, and alterations were undertaken to ready her for this new role.

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