Steaming down the Potomac. At 2:30 p.m. rounded to off Fortress Monroe. At 5:15 the Third Massachusetts Regiment, Colonel Wardrop, marched out of Fortress Monroe and embarked on this ship to the number of about 349, rank and file. Observed a number of vessels sunk in the narrow part of channel off Sewell’s Point, for the purpose of obstructing navigation. At 6:45 steaming up toward Norfolk. Passed the obstructions in the channel without difficulty. Kept men at quarters, guns loaded. At 8 p. m. ran alongside the navy-yard wharf, to the northward of first ship house. Hailed by the U. S. ship Pennsylvania, who greeted our arrival with three cheers. The flagship Cumberland did likewise. At 8:10 Lieutenant Commanding Donaldson, of the receiving ship Pennsylvania, came aboard and informed us that all the vessels at the yard had been scuttled and the machinery of the Merrimack completely disabled this afternoon, to prevent their falling into the hands of the insurgents, who had for some time past been making demonstrations against the public property at the navy yard. Flag Officers McCauley and Pendergrast came on board. Sent parties to various parts of the yard to secure, remove, or destroy public property liable to fall into the hands of the insurgents. A large party went ashore to knock trunnions off guns; succeeded in breaking a few off. Received from the Pennsylvania four boxes of arms; also a detachment of thirty-four, rank and file, of marines, with bags and accouterments. Sent the Massachusetts volunteers ashore in the navy yard. Sent marines brought from marine barracks at Washington to relieve marines belonging to the yard; the latter transferred to the Cumberland. Placed guard at the main entrance to yard, and others patrolled the yard.
Pawnee Log, April 20, 1861
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