Note 14 — Chapter XI · His Part in the Civil War: In Virginia

Maury had some connection with the reconstruction of this vessel. In a lecture on “Man’s Power-giving Knowledge”, delivered by him to Virginia Military Institute students on January 23, 1871, he said, “After the burning of the Norfolk Navy Yard in 1861, the Governor’s Council advised that the Merrimac should be raised and converted into an ironclad. Quick to perceive and prompt to act, as in the emergencies of the war he ever was, his Excellency caused it to be done”. This is corroborated by the following entry in the minutes of the Council for May 11, 1861, for a meeting at which Maury was present: “Governor submitted for approval a proposal of B. and I. Baker of Norfolk to raise the wreck of the steamer Merrimac and deliver her in the Dry Dock at Gosport Navy Yard for $5000.... Advised unanimously that the proposed be accepted”.