Naval Warfare

The American Civil War was the most divisive and traumatic conflict that the United States has ever experienced, and its effects continue to shape the country's social and political landscape.

Naval Warfare: Courage and Combat on the Water is a thorough and engaging account of the war as it was played out on the high seas and along the major rivers of the United States. In this volume, every important battle in which naval power played a part is discussed in detail, along with such innovations as the construction of ironclad warships, the development of combined operations involving both sea and land forces, and the deployment of a (barely) working submarine.

Besides being the most costly war, in terms of lives lost, in American history, the Civil War stands as a watershed in the history of military tactics, strategy, and technology. Nowhere is this more true than in the field of naval warfare. Practically overnight, the huge wooden men-of-war that had ruled the waves for centuries became obsolete, as they were helpless against the new ironclad vessels coming from both Union and Confederate shipyards.

The new technologies required Civil War naval commanders to quickly develop new strategies and tactics. Success on the water demanded quick wits, creativity, and courage. The fighting captains who made a name for themselves were adventurous and intelligent men, and their stories are among the most fascinating to come out of the Civil War.

The dramatic and action-packed naval actions covered in this volume include:

The Battle of Mobile Bay, where Admiral David Glasgow Farragut secured a major victory when he rallied the faltering Union fleet with the famous words, "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!"

The capture of Forts Henry and Donelson, where the effectiveness of combined land/water operations was proven for the first time.

The fight between the ironclads Monitor and Merrimack, the inconclusive battle that signaled a historic change in the nature of naval warfare.

The fight between the CSS Alabama and the USS Kearsage, where Rafael Semmes' career as the most feared and effective raider of Union commerce vessels came to an end.

The Red River Campaign, the ill-conceived mission in which David Porter nearly lost his entire fleet after failing to capture his primary target, the city of Shreveport, Louisiana.

Insightful and informative, and lavishly illustrated with paintings, artifacts, and period photographs, Naval Warfare captures all the excitement of the Civil War afloat, and is an indispensable addition to the library of anyone with an interest in this fascinating period of American history.