The Anaconda Plan.  The Anaconda Plan consisted of two main parts: the blockade of Southern seaports and the seizure of the Mississippi River.  Scott sought to choke Confederate commerce and split the rebellious nation in two.  Attempts to achieve and foil these objectives came to define much of the naval war. 

The Anaconda Plan.  The Anaconda Plan consisted of two main parts: the blockade of Southern seaports and the seizure of the Mississippi River.  Scott sought to choke Confederate commerce and split the rebellious nation in two.  Attempts to achieve and foil these objectives came to define much of the naval war. 

The Anaconda Plan.  The Anaconda Plan consisted of two main parts: the blockade of Southern seaports and the seizure of the Mississippi River.  Scott sought to choke Confederate commerce and split the rebellious nation in two.  Attempts to achieve and foil these objectives came to define much of the naval war. 

90; 600.  In fact, the United States had only about forty ships that could be called militarily effective at the beginning of the war.  Hundreds of civilian ships were pressed into service while the Northern shipyards churned out modern warships and gunboats.  The Southern navy was outmanned and outshipped throughout the war, compelling a strategic focus on blockade running, commerce raiding, and fort building. 

90; 600.  In fact, the United States had only about forty ships that could be called militarily effective at the beginning of the war.  Hundreds of civilian ships were pressed into service while the Northern shipyards churned out modern warships and gunboats.  The Southern navy was outmanned and outshipped throughout the war, compelling a strategic focus on blockade running, commerce raiding, and fort building. 

90; 600.  In fact, the United States had only about forty ships that could be called militarily effective at the beginning of the war.  Hundreds of civilian ships were pressed into service while the Northern shipyards churned out modern warships and gunboats.  The Southern navy was outmanned and outshipped throughout the war, compelling a strategic focus on blockade running, commerce raiding, and fort building. 

Star of the West.  The Star was a civilian steamer sent to resupply Fort Sumter in early 1861.  It came under fire from Citadel cadets as it came into Charleston Harbor on the evening of January 9.  The Star's captain deemed the mission too dangerous and fled the harbor.  Although the incident has been overlooked in favor of the more sustained battle at Fort Sumter in April, some contend that these were the first shots of the Civil War.

Star of the West.  The Star was a civilian steamer sent to resupply Fort Sumter in early 1861.  It came under fire from Citadel cadets as it came into Charleston Harbor on the evening of January 9.  The Star's captain deemed the mission too dangerous and fled the harbor.  Although the incident has been overlooked in favor of the more sustained battle at Fort Sumter in April, some contend that these were the first shots of the Civil War.

Star of the West.  The Star was a civilian steamer sent to resupply Fort Sumter in early 1861.  It came under fire from Citadel cadets as it came into Charleston Harbor on the evening of January 9.  The Star's captain deemed the mission too dangerous and fled the harbor.  Although the incident has been overlooked in favor of the more sustained battle at Fort Sumter in April, some contend that these were the first shots of the Civil War.

The USS Merrimack.  The Merrimack was a timberclad screw frigate built in 1854.  She was burned in the Norfolk Navy Yard to prevent her capture after Virginia's secession.  The Confederacy raised the Merrimack and refitted her with an iron hull and a new name: the CSS Virginia.  The duel between "the Monitor and the Merrimack," the first battle of ironclads in world history, was in fact the duel between the Monitor and the Virginia.

The USS Merrimack.  The Merrimack was a timberclad screw frigate built in 1854.  She was burned in the Norfolk Navy Yard to prevent her capture after Virginia's secession.  The Confederacy raised the Merrimack and refitted her with an iron hull and a new name: the CSS Virginia.  The duel between "the Monitor and the Merrimack," the first battle of ironclads in world history, was in fact the duel between the Monitor and the Virginia.

The USS Merrimack.  The Merrimack was a timberclad screw frigate built in 1854.  She was burned in the Norfolk Navy Yard to prevent her capture after Virginia's secession.  The Confederacy raised the Merrimack and refitted her with an iron hull and a new name: the CSS Virginia.  The duel between "the Monitor and the Merrimack," the first battle of ironclads in world history, was in fact the duel between the Monitor and the Virginia.

The Stone Fleet.  Most of the Stone Fleet was sunk at the mouth of Charleston Harbor during the winter of 1861-2 in order to buy time for a more effective blockading force to be assembled.  Its strategic effect was and is debatable.  Herman Melville, author of Moby Dick, wrote a poem lamenting the operation. 

The Stone Fleet.  Most of the Stone Fleet was sunk at the mouth of Charleston Harbor during the winter of 1861-2 in order to buy time for a more effective blockading force to be assembled.  Its strategic effect was and is debatable.  Herman Melville, author of Moby Dick, wrote a poem lamenting the operation. 

The Stone Fleet.  Most of the Stone Fleet was sunk at the mouth of Charleston Harbor during the winter of 1861-2 in order to buy time for a more effective blockading force to be assembled.  Its strategic effect was and is debatable.  Herman Melville, author of Moby Dick, wrote a poem lamenting the operation. 

Fortress Rosecrans.  Joint operations between gunboats and infantry proved to be all but unstoppable during the Civil War.  Fortress Rosecrans, however, was built inland, near Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and was never attacked. 

Fortress Rosecrans.  Joint operations between gunboats and infantry proved to be all but unstoppable during the Civil War.  Fortress Rosecrans, however, was built inland, near Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and was never attacked. 

Fortress Rosecrans.  Joint operations between gunboats and infantry proved to be all but unstoppable during the Civil War.  Fortress Rosecrans, however, was built inland, near Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and was never attacked. 

0.  The innovation of iron armor came shortly before high-explosive, high-penetration ammunition became prevalent on the high seas.  The two ironclads were thus able to only achieve a stalemate after hours of battling at extremely close range.  Although no crew members were killed, many suffered from the concussive effects of so many impacts vibrating through the metal hulls. 

0.  The innovation of iron armor came shortly before high-explosive, high-penetration ammunition became prevalent on the high seas.  The two ironclads were thus able to only achieve a stalemate after hours of battling at extremely close range.  Although no crew members were killed, many suffered from the concussive effects of so many impacts vibrating through the metal hulls. 

0.  The innovation of iron armor came shortly before high-explosive, high-penetration ammunition became prevalent on the high seas.  The two ironclads were thus able to only achieve a stalemate after hours of battling at extremely close range.  Although no crew members were killed, many suffered from the concussive effects of so many impacts vibrating through the metal hulls. 

The Battle of Mobile Bay.  The battle that secured the Union blockade in the Gulf of Mexico was marked by Farragut's decision to make a run through a minefield, then called "torpedoes," in order to bring his guns to a more effective position.  Many contemporary historians agree with members of Farragut's crew who insisted that he never quite uttered the famous phrase. 

The Battle of Mobile Bay.  The battle that secured the Union blockade in the Gulf of Mexico was marked by Farragut's decision to make a run through a minefield, then called "torpedoes," in order to bring his guns to a more effective position.  Many contemporary historians agree with members of Farragut's crew who insisted that he never quite uttered the famous phrase. 

The Battle of Mobile Bay.  The battle that secured the Union blockade in the Gulf of Mexico was marked by Farragut's decision to make a run through a minefield, then called "torpedoes," in order to bring his guns to a more effective position.  Many contemporary historians agree with members of Farragut's crew who insisted that he never quite uttered the famous phrase. 

The USS Housatonic.  The Hunley was the invention of Horace L. Hunley.  Its 1864 attack on the Housatonic employed a barbed torpedo on the end of a long pole--torpedo propulsion technology did not exist during the Civil War.  The exact circumstances surrounding the fate of the Hunley that night continue to be debated, but it is known that she herself sank shortly after sinking the Housatonic.  The Hunley was raised from Charleston Harbor in 2000. 

The USS Housatonic.  The Hunley was the invention of Horace L. Hunley.  Its 1864 attack on the Housatonic employed a barbed torpedo on the end of a long pole--torpedo propulsion technology did not exist during the Civil War.  The exact circumstances surrounding the fate of the Hunley that night continue to be debated, but it is known that she herself sank shortly after sinking the Housatonic.  The Hunley was raised from Charleston Harbor in 2000. 

The USS Housatonic.  The Hunley was the invention of Horace L. Hunley.  Its 1864 attack on the Housatonic employed a barbed torpedo on the end of a long pole--torpedo propulsion technology did not exist during the Civil War.  The exact circumstances surrounding the fate of the Hunley that night continue to be debated, but it is known that she herself sank shortly after sinking the Housatonic.  The Hunley was raised from Charleston Harbor in 2000. 

The Trent Affair.  Captain George Wilkes (pictured) seized a party of Confederate envoys from a British ship in the winter of 1861.  The British bristled at this offense and threatened retribution.  Many in the United States, angry at Britain's continued dalliance with the Confederacy, welcomed the challenge.  The adroit diplomacy of Abraham Lincoln and Secretary of State William Seward ultimately defused the situation. 

The Trent Affair.  Captain George Wilkes (pictured) seized a party of Confederate envoys from a British ship in the winter of 1861.  The British bristled at this offense and threatened retribution.  Many in the United States, angry at Britain's continued dalliance with the Confederacy, welcomed the challenge.  The adroit diplomacy of Abraham Lincoln and Secretary of State William Seward ultimately defused the situation. 

The Trent Affair.  Captain George Wilkes (pictured) seized a party of Confederate envoys from a British ship in the winter of 1861.  The British bristled at this offense and threatened retribution.  Many in the United States, angry at Britain's continued dalliance with the Confederacy, welcomed the challenge.  The adroit diplomacy of Abraham Lincoln and Secretary of State William Seward ultimately defused the situation. 

Chain armor.  Although the Kearsarge was not outfitted as an ironclad, her captain took the precaution of swaddling her hull in chain before the battle with the Alabama.  Although many of the crewmen of the Alabama later accused this modification of being somewhat ungentlemanly, the armor significantly reduced the damage suffered by the Kearsarge during the engagement.  The sinking of the Alabama ended a 22-month reign of terror that had resulted in the loss of nearly seventy Northern commercial vessels. 

Chain armor.  Although the Kearsarge was not outfitted as an ironclad, her captain took the precaution of swaddling her hull in chain before the battle with the Alabama.  Although many of the crewmen of the Alabama later accused this modification of being somewhat ungentlemanly, the armor significantly reduced the damage suffered by the Kearsarge during the engagement.  The sinking of the Alabama ended a 22-month reign of terror that had resulted in the loss of nearly seventy Northern commercial vessels. 

Chain armor.  Although the Kearsarge was not outfitted as an ironclad, her captain took the precaution of swaddling her hull in chain before the battle with the Alabama.  Although many of the crewmen of the Alabama later accused this modification of being somewhat ungentlemanly, the armor significantly reduced the damage suffered by the Kearsarge during the engagement.  The sinking of the Alabama ended a 22-month reign of terror that had resulted in the loss of nearly seventy Northern commercial vessels. 

The Battle of Shiloh.  The gunboats Lexington and Tyler formed part of the Union defenses at Pittsburg Landing.  Although they fired massive shells, their accuracy left much to be desired--many Northern soldiers fell victim to friendly fire during the night of April 6-7. 

The Battle of Shiloh.  The gunboats Lexington and Tyler formed part of the Union defenses at Pittsburg Landing.  Although they fired massive shells, their accuracy left much to be desired--many Northern soldiers fell victim to friendly fire during the night of April 6-7. 

The Battle of Shiloh.  The gunboats Lexington and Tyler formed part of the Union defenses at Pittsburg Landing.  Although they fired massive shells, their accuracy left much to be desired--many Northern soldiers fell victim to friendly fire during the night of April 6-7. 

Nassau.  Nassau, Bermuda was one of the closest neutral ports available to Southern traders.  British cotton merchants would often sail a cargo ship to Nassau and then hire out a blockade runner to make the voyage to a Confederate seaport and back, thus limiting the financial risk of losing the cargo ship to the Union guardians.  The evolution of the art of blockade running mitigated the commercial impact of the Anaconda Plan and made the cotton trade incredibly lucrative. 

Nassau.  Nassau, Bermuda was one of the closest neutral ports available to Southern traders.  British cotton merchants would often sail a cargo ship to Nassau and then hire out a blockade runner to make the voyage to a Confederate seaport and back, thus limiting the financial risk of losing the cargo ship to the Union guardians.  The evolution of the art of blockade running mitigated the commercial impact of the Anaconda Plan and made the cotton trade incredibly lucrative. 

Nassau.  Nassau, Bermuda was one of the closest neutral ports available to Southern traders.  British cotton merchants would often sail a cargo ship to Nassau and then hire out a blockade runner to make the voyage to a Confederate seaport and back, thus limiting the financial risk of losing the cargo ship to the Union guardians.  The evolution of the art of blockade running mitigated the commercial impact of the Anaconda Plan and made the cotton trade incredibly lucrative. 

The Albemarle.  Without the industrial capabilities of the North, Southern shipbuilding assumed an ad hoc character.  The Albemarle was designed by a nineteen year old lieutenant and built in a North Carolina cornfield--much of her armor was repurposed from kitchenware and farming equipment collected from nearby citizens.  The "cornfield ironclad" seized control of the Roanoke River during the summer of 1864 before being sunk in a daring raid by Union Lieutenant William B. Cushing. 

The Albemarle.  Without the industrial capabilities of the North, Southern shipbuilding assumed an ad hoc character.  The Albemarle was designed by a nineteen year old lieutenant and built in a North Carolina cornfield--much of her armor was repurposed from kitchenware and farming equipment collected from nearby citizens.  The "cornfield ironclad" seized control of the Roanoke River during the summer of 1864 before being sunk in a daring raid by Union Lieutenant William B. Cushing. 

The Albemarle.  Without the industrial capabilities of the North, Southern shipbuilding assumed an ad hoc character.  The Albemarle was designed by a nineteen year old lieutenant and built in a North Carolina cornfield--much of her armor was repurposed from kitchenware and farming equipment collected from nearby citizens.  The "cornfield ironclad" seized control of the Roanoke River during the summer of 1864 before being sunk in a daring raid by Union Lieutenant William B. Cushing. 

The Shenandoah.  The Shenandoah, commissioned in October of 1864, had a brief career as a commerce raider before the Civil War came to an end in May.  Word travelled slowly on the high seas, however, and the crew of the Shenandoah did not hear of the close of hostilities until August.  Fearing summary execution as pirates if they landed in the United States, the crew sailed back to Liverpool, England, and formally surrendered to the British nation on November 6, 1865. 

The Shenandoah.  The Shenandoah, commissioned in October of 1864, had a brief career as a commerce raider before the Civil War came to an end in May.  Word travelled slowly on the high seas, however, and the crew of the Shenandoah did not hear of the close of hostilities until August.  Fearing summary execution as pirates if they landed in the United States, the crew sailed back to Liverpool, England, and formally surrendered to the British nation on November 6, 1865. 

The Shenandoah.  The Shenandoah, commissioned in October of 1864, had a brief career as a commerce raider before the Civil War came to an end in May.  Word travelled slowly on the high seas, however, and the crew of the Shenandoah did not hear of the close of hostilities until August.  Fearing summary execution as pirates if they landed in the United States, the crew sailed back to Liverpool, England, and formally surrendered to the British nation on November 6, 1865.