SPECIAL REPORT.
CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA,
t Navy Department,
Richmond, July 18, 1861.
To his Excellency, the President:
Sir : I have the honor to report to you the operations of
this Department since the 26th of April last, the date of
my last report:
Four steamers have been purchased and equipped to aicl
in the defence of the coasts of South Carolina and Georgia;
and contracts are being made with builders in those States
for the immediate construction of gun-boats, to mount each
three heavy guns, and to act in connection with the steamers.
This force, supplied with a proper number of fast row-boats
and seamen for coast guard duty, and able to traverse the
entire inland navigation between Charleston and Savannah,
and on other parts of the coasts, will, it is believed, effectu¬
ally oppose all piratical attempts upon them; while a union
of the force would master any of the enemy's smaller ships,
and might .successfully assail his frigates. This command is
assigned to Flag Officer Tattnall.
Three steamers have been purchased, armed and equip¬
ped at New Orleans. One of these, the sloop " Sumpter, "
of 520 tons, armed with one eight inch pivot gun and four
thirty-two pounders, with a complement, all told, of 109,
under the command of commander Semmes, ran the blockade
of the Mississippi river, and got to sea as a cruising vessel
on the 30th ultimo.
The sloop MacRee, of 830 tons, armed with one nine inch
pivot, arid six thirty-two pounder guns with a complement
of 152, all told, under the command of Lieutenant Com¬
manding Huger, is ready and watching for an opportunity
to get to sea.
These are both good, substantial steam propeller sloops-of-
war, with uncommon speed for vessels of their class.
2
The third steamer, the Jackson, one of the Mississippi tugs,
has been strengthened, thoroughly fitted, armed and equip¬
ped, and having made a trip to Memphis for service under
Gen. Pillow, has returned to New Orleans.
In addition to this vessel, Capt. Rousseau, charged with
the duty of aiding, by naval means, in the defence of the
coasts of Louisiana and the Mississippi river, has authority
to construct five gun boats adapted to those waters, and to
purchase, arn^and equip four other steamers—and to em¬
ploy armed barges on the lake and sound service in connec¬
tion with them. These vessels, it is alleged, can be com¬
pleted in sixty days.
The cost of making the necessary alterations and outfits
of vessels in New Orleans have far exceeded the estimates
of the officers in charge, in consequence, as they allege, of
mistakes of experts as to the repairs of' hull and machinery,
vastly enhanced price of labor and materials, and by the
combinations, in a great degree, between workmen and ven¬
dors.
The Department has purchased from the State of North
Carolina five small steamers, whose draught of water enables
them to pass the shallow waters connected with Pamlico,
Albemarle and Currituck Sounds, and which are of a class of
vessels essential to their defence. These vessels will be
properly armed and equipped and actively employed.
The side wheel steamers, Patrick Henry and ,
formerly known as the Yorktown and Jamestown, have been
purchased from the State of Virginia.
The Patrick Henry has been partially plated with iron to
shield her boilers and some of the vulnerable portions of her
machinery. This vessel is of a burthen of 1,300 tons, and
is one of the fastest side wheel steamers afloat. She has been
greatly strengthened to support a battery which consists of
two ten inch pivot, and eight eight inch broadside guns, with
a complement, all told, of' 180. She is in the James river
commanded by Commander John II. Tucker, under orders
for sea, and will run the blockade at the earliest practicable
moment for a cruize off New York.
NORFOLK YARD.
This establishment has been placed under the control of
the Department since my last report. A large force is use¬
fully employed there, chiefly in the various operations con¬
nected with the military defences of the country.
3
Heavy guns from this yard have been sent to several of
the Confederate States. Two hundred and three have been
sent to North Carolina, fifty-two to Tennessee, twenty-one
to Louisiana, forty to South Carolina and to Georgia, and
two hundred and seventeen are in twenty-one batteries in
Virginia, commanded by naval officers.
The preparation of these guns, with their equipments for
service, the construction of gun carriages, and the prepara¬
tion of shot and shell have principally occupied the large
force at the yard.
The organization of a Naval Laboratory has been com¬
menced and it will soon be in a condition to manufacture the
fuses, caps,.bullets, shot, shell, shrapnel, fire works, &c., in
general use, and to cast iron and brass cannon.
The machine shop at this establishment, for the want of
suitable means, has never been able to complete a heavy
steam engine for a Avar vessel—the shafting hawing to be ,
done in Baltimore or elsewhere. With the exception of
Tennessee, there is no establishment within the Confederate
States where such Avork can be done. 1 have purchased a
Nasmith hammer to supply this deficiency, and in a short
time the entire machinery of steamships may be constructed
there.
The frigate " Merrimac" has been raised and docked at
an expense of $ 6,000, and the necessary repairs to hull and
machinery to place her in her former condition, is estimated
by experts at $ 450,000. The vessel would then be in the
river and by the blockade of the enemyrs fleets and batte¬
ries, rendered comparatively useless.
It has, therefore, been determined to shield her completely
with three inch iron, placed at such angles as to render her
ball proof, to complete her at the earliest moment, to arm
her with the heaviest ordnance, and to send her at once
against the enemy's fleet.
It is believed that, thus prepared, she will be able to con¬
tend successfully against the heaviest of the enemy's ships,
and to drive them from Hampton Roads and the ports of
Virginia.
The cost of this work is estimated by the constructor and
engineer in charge at $ 172,523, and as time is of the first
consequence in this enterprize, I have not hesitated to com¬
mence the work, and to ask Congress for the necessary
appropriation.
The Plymouth and Germantown have also been raised.
4
The Columbus, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Dolphin are
still under water; and as the expense of raising them will
be about twenty-five thousand dollars, an appropriation for
this purpose is recommended.
The act of Congress, approved May 20th, 1861, (Pam.
Laws, 2d Sess., 1861, p. 39,) limits the appointment of
officers of the Navy to those resigning from the Navy of the
United States in consequence of secession of any or all of
the Confederate States, and who may be fit for active service.
Several officers, unfit for active service, have resigned
from the retired list of the United States Navy, and one
officer who wTas not retired, but who is unfit for active ser¬
vice, has also resigned. These gentlemen have been
actuated by a patriotism no less devoted than that which
has distinguished the great body of Southern Naval officers,
and as no provision has been made for them, the subject is
presented for your consideration.
The State of Virginia, before joining the Confederate
States, appointed to her Naval service several officers who
had resigned from the United States Navy, not in conse¬
quence of secession. They were employed generally as
artillery officers, in commanding, instructing or erecting
batteries.
They are generally officers of the highest professional
character and efficiency, and are rendering important ser¬
vice, and I submit for your consideration the expediency of
retaining them in the public service during the war or
otherwise.
Herewith I submit- a copy of the letter of Flag Officer
Forrest, communicating the death of Mr. David Williams,
at the Norfolk Yard, and a copy of the reply of the Depart¬
ment.
The circumstances under which he perished constitute the
claims of the widow and children upon the consideration of
Congress.
The report hereunto annexed shows the number and grades
of Naval officers who have resigned from the United States
Navy in consequence of secession, and of such of those as
have received appointments in the Navy of the Confederate
States.
Recruiting for the Marine Corps is progressing, and it is
stationed at the Pensacola forts, co-operating with the Army
under General Bragg.
The service already employs the 500 seamen, ordinary
&
seamen, landsmen and boys authorized by the Act of March
15th, 1861; and I recommend, as necessary for the public
interest, the employment of an additional 500 of the same
classes, who will be principally occupied on the coasts of
North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and
Louisiana.
ESTIMATES.
The two acts of Congress, Nos. 116 and 117, approved on
the 10th of May last, authorized the expenditure of three
millions of dollars for certain objects, including the purchase
of an iron-clad or armored war-ship; but no money was sup¬
plied in the general estimates to meet these expenditures,
and the operations of the Department, in the purchase, con¬
struction, equipment, &c., of vessels, have been circumscribed
to, and confined to, the sum of one million one hundred thou¬
sand dollars, appropriated by the-act of 15th March, 1861.
Of this sum, I placed $600,000 at once in England, and dis¬
patched agents abroad to purchase gun-boats; and the bal¬
ance, $500,000 only has been available to purchase and equip
vessels for coast defence. With this sum there have been
purchased the following steamers: Sumter, MacRee, Jack¬
son, Lady Davis, Savannah, Sampson, and Resolute,
and the balance on hand, from this appropriation, is
$140,000.
Funds are wanted to meet the estimated value of the five
steamers from North Carolina, the two from Virginia, the
steamer Florida, of Mobile, for which negotiations are pend¬
ing, two small steamers and barges for Lake Pontchatrain ;
five steam gun-boats to be built in Mobile and New Orleans
for Lake and Sound service; five gun-boats to be built in
South Carolina and Georgia, for those coasts, and the recon¬
struction and iron-plating of the Merrimac.
No additional appropriations are required under acts No.
116 and 117, before referred to, as the appropriations were
embraced in the acts; but I recommend that funds be pro¬
vided, as early as practicable, to meet those appropriations,
and enable the Department fully to carry out the terms of
the acts.
Estimates of the additional amounts required to meet the
wants of the Department for the year ending February 18th,
1862, are herewith submitted.
With much respect, I am, sir, your obedient servant,
S. R. MALLORY,
Secretary of the Navy.
6
[Copy.]
Commandant's Office, >
Navy-Yard, Gosport, June 20, 1861. 5
Sir : I regret to inform you that a very valuable operative,
engaged in stopping the leak of the " Plymouth," in subma¬
rine armor, lost his life just as he was about to finish the
work. He was a volunteer to perform this duty, and was
sanguine of success ; and I had made up my mind to recom¬
mend a handsome reward to him, if he succeeded. He leaves
a wife and three young children. He was a very valuable
man. I beg leave to recommend that some compensation be
made to his family for their loss, and that a pension be al¬
lowed to his wife during her widowhood.
I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
F. FORREST,
Commandant.
Hon. S. R. Mallory, Secretary of the Navy.
P. S. His name is David Williams, and a resident of
Portsmouth, Ya.
[Copy.]
Confederate States of America, }
Navy Department, Richmond, June 24, 1861. j,
Sir : Your letter of the 20th instant, communicating the
intelligence of the death of Mr. David Williams, has been
received.
The zeal and devotion to the public service which actuated
the conduct of Mr. David Williams, and which resulted in
his loss of life, demand not only public recognition, but de¬
volve upon a good Government the duty of providing for the
widow and children thus deprived of support.
I will bring the facts to the attention of Congress as early
as practicable, and doubt not its action will, to some extent,
relieve them from the sad consequences of his death.
If Mr. Williams has left a son sufficiently advanced in
years to be usefully employed, you will report the fact to the
Department.
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. R. MALLORY,
Secretary of the Navy,
Flag Officer, French Forrest,
Commandant Navy- Yard, Norfolk, Va.
Statement showing the number and grades of Naval Officers who
have resigned from the U. S. Navy, in consequence of seces¬
sion, and of such of those who have received appointments in
the C. S. Navy.
Rank.
Resigned and
Appointed.
Resigned and not appointed.
Captains ....
Commanders
Lieutenants..
Masters
Midshipmen... .
Acting do
Surgeons
Assistant do... .
Paj-masters
Chief Engineers.
1st Ass. do
2d Ass. do
3d Ass. do
Boatswains......
Gunners
Carpenters
Sailmalcers
20
64
4
1G
59
19
10
7
3
3
4
o
4
3
4
3
2 have not applied.
3 on reserved list.
2 have not applied.
3 on reserved list.
1 has not applied.
3 on reserved list.
not applied.
8
RECAPITULATION OF ESTIMATES OF NAVY-
DEPARTMENT.
Navy Department, )
July 18, 1861. 3
number i.
Estimate of the probable amount required for
the purchase and building of steamers and gun
boats for coast defences of Confederate States.
(See note.) $ 765,001)
number ii.
Estimate of the amount required to repair and fit
the steam frigate " Merrimac" as an iron-clad
ship, 172,523
number iii.
Estimate of the amount required to raise the ships
of the line Columbus, Delaware, Pennsylvania,
and brig Dolphin, 25,000
number iv.
Estimate of the amount required for the-pay, sub¬
sistence, etc., of five hundred additional sea¬
men, ordinary seamen, landsmen, and boys,
and firemen and coal - heavers, for seven
months, 90,000
number v.
Estimate of the amount required for medical sup¬
plies and Surgeon's necessaries, in addition to
former appropriations, 4,000
number vi.
Estimate of the amount required to pay persons
(civilians) employed at Navy Yard, Norfolk,
Va., from 1st July, 1861, to February 18th,
1862, 6,700
Total, $1,063,223
One million and sixty-three thousand two hundred and twen¬
ty-three dollars.
Note.—If funds are provided to meet the appropriations
made by Acts No. 116 and 117, approved May 10th, 1861,
the sum of $50,000 only will be required under Estimate
No. 1. S. R. MALLORY,
Secretary of the Navy.
9
Navy Department, )
July 18, 1861. 5
number I.
Estimates of the probable amounts required for the pur¬
chase and building of steamers and gun boats for coast de¬
fences of Confederate States :
To pay for five small steamers purchased from the
State of North Carolina, $ 75,000
To pay for the steamers York town and James¬
town, purchased from the State of Virginia,. . 280,000
To pay for steamer Florida, noAV negotiating for
at Mobile, 75,000
To pay for steamer Pamlico, now negotiating for
at New Orleans, 40,000
To pay for two small steamers, now negotiating
for at New Orleans, 40,090
To pay for four gun boats, to be built at New Or¬
leans and Mobile, (about $20,000 each) 80,000
To pay for steam gun boat, under agreement with
Hughes & Co., at New Orleans, 75,000
To pay for five gun boats, to be built at Savan¬
nah and Charleston, (about $20,000 each).... 100,000
Total, $ 765,000
Seven hundred and sixty-five thousand dollars.
Note.—If funds are provided to meet the appropriations
made by Acts No. 116 and 117, approved May 10th, 1861,
the sum of $50,000 only will be required under this esti¬
mate. S. R. MALLORY,
Secretary of the Navy.
Navy Department, >
July 18, 1861. $
number ii.
Estimate of the amount required to repair and fit the
steam frigate " Merrimac" as an iron-clad ship :
To repair and fit the "Merrimac" as an iron-clad
ship, $ 172,523
One hundred and seventy-two thousand five hundred and
twentv-three dollars.
S. R. MALLORY,
Secretary of the Navy.
10
Navy Department; )
July 18, 1861. >
number III.
Estimate of the amount required to raise the ships of the-
line, Columbus, Delaware, Pennsylvania and brig Dolphin..
To raise the ships of the line Columbus, Dela¬
ware and Pennsylvania, and brig Dolphin... .$ 25,000
Twentv-five thousand dollars.
S. R. MALLORY,
Secretary of the Navy.
Navy Department, )
July 18, 1861. I
number iv.
Estimate of the amount required for the pay, subsistence,
etc., of five hundred additional seamen, ordinary seamen,
landsmen and boys, and firemen and coal-heavers, for seven
months, to 18th February, 1862.
For pay, subsistence, etc., of five hundred addi¬
tional seamen, ordinary seamen, landsmen and
boys, and firemen and coal-heavers $ 90,000
Ninety thousand dollars.
S. R. MALLORY,
Secretary of the Navy.
Navy Department, )
July 18, 1861. 5
/ number v.
Estimate of the amount required for medical supplies and
Surgeons' necessaries for the Navy, including Marine and
Engineer Corps, in addition to former appropriation, for
year ending February 18th, 1862.
For medical supplies and Surgeons' necessaries. 4,0011
Four thousand dollars.
S. R. MALLORY,
Secretary of the Navy...
11
Navy Department, >
July 18, 1861. >
NUMBER VI.
Estimate of the amount required to pay persons (civil¬
ians) employed at Navy Yard, Norfolk, Virginia, from
July 1st, 1861, to Eebruary 18th, 1862.
One Storekeeper $ 1,11)0
One Naval Constructor 1,700
One Clerk of the Yard 800
One Clerk to the Commandant 800
One do (2d) to do 640
One do to Storekeeper 800
One do to Naval Constructor 560
One Porter 800
$ 6,700
Six thousand seven hundred dollars.
S. R. MALLORY,
Secretary of the Navy..