Naval forces off Fort Pickens ( 54 mounted cannon just east of present-day Pensacola Beach) in February of 1861~ left to right: ship-rigged, propeller-driven steam sloop of war BROOKLYN ( 22 mounted Dahlgren smooth bore & two rifled pivot guns ), sail-rigged frigate SABINE (56 guns), sail-rigged sloop ST. LOUIS, sail-rigged SUPPLY, steamer WYANDOTTE, chartered steamer ATLANTIC.
"...war came at Fort Sumter only because the Confederates were neither subtle enough nor strong enough to begin it at Fort Pickens" ~ Grady McWhiney