Merrimack USS (1856-1861)

[Mark Wadsworth]

USS Merrimack, a 4636-ton steam frigate, was built at the Boston Navy Yard. Commissioned in February 1856, she made her initial deployment to European waters, visiting ports in England, France and Portugal before returning to the U.S. in early 1857. Following repairs, in October 1857 Merrimack was sent around South America to become flagship of the Pacific Squadron, a role she played until November 1859. Completing this cruise at the Norfolk Navy Yard, Virginia, the frigate decommissioned in February 1860.
Merrimack was still there, receiving repairs to her troublesome machinery, when the state of Virginia seceeded from the Union in mid-April 1861. In an effort to make her unusable to the southern cause, Federal forces burned and sank Merrimack as they withdrew from the Norfolk Navy Yard on 20 April 1861. The Confederates subsequently salvaged the ship and converted her to an armored casemate ironclad. Commissioned as CSS Virginia in February 1862, the following month she made history in combat against Union warships in the Hampton Roads area.

From the DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER