April 19, 1861.   Lincoln orders a blockade of Confederate ports.   It is not much of a blockade initially, since the navy has 42 usable ships, 555 guns, and 7,600 sailors scattered around the world to block 3,500 miles of Atlantic and Gulf coastline.   However, it will be increased to 264 ships, 2,557 guns, and 22, 000 sailors by the end of 1861 and increase steadily thereafter until at the end of the war it will have 626 ships and 51,500 sailors. ^{Long 719}

April 21, 1861.   The USS Saratoga captures the Nightingale with 961 illegal slaves.   The slaves are returned to Monrovia, Liberia, except for 160 who die in passage.   its commander, Captain Francis Bowen, the "Prince of Slaves", escapes to become commander of the steamer gun runner, Virginius.   The ship will be used to supply the naval vessels in the Gulf Coast Blockading Squadron until 1864. ^{Houghton n.p.}

April 27, 1861.   The Federal blockade is extended along the coast from Virginia to North Carolina by presidential proclamation. ^{Long 66}

May 2, 1861.   The U. S. Navy blocks the entrances to the James River and Hampton Roads, VA.   It also seizes 2 Confederate vessels, adding them to the several already taken. ^{Long 69}

May 14, 1861.   Hampton Roads, VA:   Union ships seize 4 blockade runners. ^{Long 74}

May 14, 1861.   Lousiana coast:   The Confederate privateer, Calhoun, captures the bark, Ocean Eagle, from Rockland, ME. ^{Long 75}

May 26, 1861.

Mobile, AL:   The USS Powhatan, Lieutenant David Dixon Porter, begins the blockade of this important southern port. ^{Long 79}

New Orleans, LA:   The USS Brooklyn, Captain Israel Vogdes, begins the blockade of this most important port in the Confederacy. ^{Long 79}

May 28, 1861.   Savannah, GA:   The USS Union begins the blockade of this southern port. ^{Long 79}

June 7, 1861.   Apalachicola, FL:   A Federal ship begins the blockade of this important southern port. ^{Long 83}

June 27, 1861.

Washington:   Representatives of the Army, Navy, and U. S. Coast Survey meet to consider strategy on the Southern coasts.   From time to time, this board will make a number of reports, many implemented, stating how and where bases for land operation and blockades could be made successfully on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.   It was one of the most successful strategic planning boards of the war. ^{Long 88}

Gulf of Mexico:   The USS Massachusetts captures 4 Confederate vessels. ^{Long 87}

June 28, 1861.

Chesapeake Bay:   Confederates led by George N. Hollins seize the side-wheeler St. Nicholas, a commercial vessel, and take 3 small commerial ships on June 29 while searching in vain for the USS Pawnee. ^{Long 88}

June 30, 1861.   New Orleans:   The CSS Sumter, Raphael Semmes commanding, runs the Union blockade to begin its highly successful career as a destroyer of Union commercial shipping. ^{Long 89}

July 3, 1861.   Galveston, TX:   The U. S. Navy blockades this important Southern port. ^{Long 90}

July 6, 1861.   Cuba:   The CSS Sumter delivers 7 prizes taken in its first major raiding expedition of Union commerce.   They will be released later by Cuba. ^{Long 92}