CHAPTER XXVII.

Naval Affairs.--Organization of the Navy Department.--Two Classes of Vessels.--Experiments for Floating Batteries and Rams.--The Norfolk Navy-Yard.--Abandonment by the Enemy.--The Merrimac Frigate made an Ironclad.--Officers.--Trial-Trip.--Fleet of the Enemy.--Captain Buchanan.--Resolves to attack the Enemy.--Sinks the Cumberland.--Burns the Congress.--Wounded.--Executive Officer Jones takes Command.--Retires for the Night.--Appearance of the Monitor.--The Virginia attacks her.--She retires to Shoal Water.-- Refuses to come out.--Cheers of English Man-of-war.--Importance of the Navy-Yard.--Order of General Johnston to evacuate.--Stores saved.--The Virginia burned.--Harbor Defenses at Wilmington.-- Harbor Defenses at Charleston.--Fights in the Harbor.--Defenses of Savannah.--Mobile Harbor and Capture of its Defenses.--The System of Torpedoes adopted.--Statement of the Enemy.--Sub-terra Shells placed in James River.--How made.--Used in Charleston Harbor; in Roanoke River; in Mobile Harbor.--The Tecumseh, how destroyed.