February 1861

9 USS Brooklyn, Captain Walker, arrived off Pensacola. Troops were not landed at Fort Pickens in compliance with the order of 29 January, based on an interim agreement with Florida officials in which the status quo would be maintained, (i.e., Forts Barrancas and McRee and Navy Yard remained in Confederate hands while the Union held Fort Pickens on Santa Rosa Island). Brooklyn, Sabine, Macedonia, and St Louis remained off the harbor, but reinforcements were not put ashore at Fort Pickens until April 17.

11 Commander Dahlgren urged Congress to approve the building of more gun sloops and an “iron-cased� ship.

14 Confederate Congress passed a resolution authorizing “the Committee on Naval Affairs to procure the attendance at Montgomery, of all such persons versed in naval affairs as they may deem it advisable to consult with.�

15 Raphael Semmes, later captain of CSS Sumter and Alabama, resigned his commission in the United States Navy.

18 In his inaugural address as President of the Provisional Government of the Confederate States, Jefferson Davis said: “I . . . suggest that for the protection of our harbors and commerce on the high seas a Navy adapted to these objects will be required . . .�

20 Navy Department formally established by act of Confederate Congress.

21 Jefferson Davis appointed Stephen R. Mallory of Florida Secretary of the Confederate States Navy.

27 U.S. Congress authorized construction of seven steam sloops to augment existing naval strength. Gideon Welles, soon to be Secretary of the navy, noted, “for steam, as well as heavy ordnance, has become an indispensable element of the most efficient naval power.�