February 12, 1862: The C.S.S. Virginia nearly complete

U.S.S. Roanoke

While Flag Officer Louis M. Goldborough and much of the Atlantic Blockading Squadron were in Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds with the Burnside Expedition, a strong detachment remained in Hampton Roads to keep watch on the Confederates. Rumors were leaking out of Norfolk that the conversion of the U.S.S. Merrimack into the C.S.S. Virginia was nearly complete. The flagship of the Union vessels in Hampton Roads at this time was the U.S.S. Roanoke, a near sister ship to the U.S.S. Merrimack. The Roanoke was slightly larger than the Merrimack as originally designed, carried a few more guns, and was faster than Merrimack. Nor was Roanoke alone; there were other large Union wooden warships in Hampton Roads. In theory, as a group they were a match for the Merrimack, which was only one ship, after all. But the Union officers assigned to watch the Hampton Roads remained uneasy: what had the Confederacy done with the Merrimack and when would the new sea monster emerge?

U.S.S. ROANOKE,
Hampton Roads, February 12, 1862.

SIR: I learn from a man (a Russian) sent on board of me this day by General Wool, and who was at work in the Norfolk navy yard as late as Monday, the 10th, that it is still the intention of the rebels to bring the Merrimack down into these waters. That vessel is to be taken out of dock next Monday, but when she will be ready my informant could not say, but probably soon, as everything--provisions, stores, etc.--were being put into her while she was in dock. This man says that the editorial in the Day Book was put in to deceive us, and that the Merrimack is not a failure.

I have deemed it my duty to give you this information, and, trusting that we shall be able to give the rebels a warm reception, I remain,

Very respectfully, your obedient servant.

JOHN MARSTON,
Captain and Senior Officer.

Hon. GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D.C.