Ships of the Civil War

• The Old Line: Sloops of War

  

  The sloop-of-war, protected by wood and driven purely by wind power, was a common sight early in the 19th century.

  Library of Congress

• Little Helpers: Schooners

  Schooners were small sailing ships that were usually assigned to support duties within the fleet.

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• Technological Advancement: Screw Sloops

  

  Screw sloops were fast and lightly armed steamships that used propellers to move through the water.

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• CSS Alabama

  

  The screw-sloop CSS Alabama was the most famous Confederate raider of the war, capturing or sinking over 60 prize.

  Naval Historical Center

• Propulsion and Power: Steam Frigates

  

  Steam frigates were larger and more powerful than steam sloops, although they sacrificed speed in exchange.

  Naval Historical Center

• USS Kearsarge

  

  The steam frigate USS Kearsarge sank CSS Alabama off the coast of France after an intense duel on June 19, 1864.

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• River Menace: The Double Ender

  

  Double enders were steam-powered ships with steering capability on both ends, allowing them to move backward and forward without turning around.

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• Repurposed: Paddle Steamers

  

  Hundreds of riverboats and ferries were pressed into military service as gunboats, transports, and floating hospitals.

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• USS Lexington

  

  The USS Lexington was one of the war's most illustrious timberclad gunboats, one of the longest serving vessels on the western rivers. She, along with the USS Tyler and the USS Conestoga, participated in the "Timberclad Raid" of 1862, capturing or forcing the destruction of nine Confederate ships along the Tennessee River in four days.

  Naval Historical Center

• No Joke: Aircraft Carriers

  

  Specialized ships were built to transport and launch observation balloons.

  Library of Congress

• The Face of the New Navy: Ironclads

  

  The invention of ironclads set a new standard in naval combat.

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• A Fortress on the Water: Casemate Ironclads

  

  "Casemate" ironclads like the USS Essex protected their gun crews with sloped armor plating.

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• Iron Innovation: Monitors

  

  Monitor-class ironclads introduced heavy revolving turrets to the naval battlescape. The ship shown here, the USS Onandaga, sports an unusual additional turret.

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• USS Monitor

  

  The USS Monitor, designed by John Ericsson, was one of the first three ironclads approved for construction by the Federal Navy. She fought the CSS Virginia to a standstill in the world's first battle between ironclad warships at Hampton Roads in 1862.

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• The Future: Submarines

  

  The CSS Hunley, first launched in 1863, was the first military submarine in world history to sink an enemy ship in combat. Although the Hunley's success was extremely limited--and fatal to her crew--she forever changed the nature of naval warfare.

  Library of Congress