Virginia State Navy

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The Virginia Navy existed briefly from the time the state of Virginia seceded from the Union on April 17, 1861, until Virginia joined the Confederate States of America and turned over its military on June 8. One of the state's first actions was to appoint Robert E. Lee as head of its army and navy.

The first, and only, flag officer of the Virginia Navy was Commodore French Forrest, formerly of the United States Navy. The command center was the newly acquired naval base at Norfolk, abandoned by the Federals on April 20, 1861.

[edit] Noteworthy officers

Former members of the United States Navy who would play a significant role in the coming American Civil War:

• Samuel Barron
• John Mercer Brooke
• French Forrest
• Catesby ap Roger Jones
• Sydney Smith Lee
• William F. Lynch
• Thomas J. Page
• Robert B. Pegram
• Thomas R. Rootes
• James H. Rochelle
• John Randolph Tucker
• William C. Whittle

[edit] Ships in Service

At the time when it turned over its military to the Confederate States, the Virginia Navy had the following ships:

• USS United States, rechristened CSS Confederate States
• CSS George Page
• CSS Logan
• CSS Northampton
• CSS Teaser
• CSS Jamestown
• CSS Patrick Henry

[edit] References

• John M. Coski (1996). Capital Navy: The Men, Ships and Operations of the James River Squadron. Campbell, CA: Savas Woodbury Publishers. ISBN 1-882810-03-1.