 In 1846, the U.S. Navy was under orders to take over all California ports in the event of war.There were about 400 to 500 U.S. Marines and U.S. Navy bluejacket sailors available for possible land action on the Pacific Squadron's ships.Hearing word of the Bear Flag Revolt in Sonoma, California, and the arrival of the large British 2,600-ton, 600-man man-of-war flagship under Sir George S. Seymour, outside Monterey Harbor, Commodore Sloat was finally stirred to action.