placent Gosport Yard would fall into the hands of the South, but if they acted they would most certainly force Virginia's hand at secession. Lincoln ordered the "Merrimack" readied and brought to Philadelphia, but this never occurred. On April 19, 1861 word reached the shipyard that Virginia had seceded and Confederate troops were on the way to overtake the shipyard. Commodore McCauley, in charge of the yard, ordered the destruction of everything. The Merrimack and the rest of the ships were set ablaze and left to sink.
             The South was very lucky to attain Gosport Yard, as many cannons, guns, and ammunitions had been left behind in the hasty departure. Seven ships
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