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Lesson 8: The Civil War at Sea

Confederate Naval Strategy Part of overall strategy of “Attrition Warfare”.Part of overall strategy of “Attrition Warfare”. –Army will defend territory and threaten Washington. Coastal defense:Coastal defense: –Army forts and new naval weapons systems. Blockade-running:Blockade-running: – Attempt to continue commercial trade with Europe. – Operations hurt by Southerners’ desires for luxury goods. Union blockade’s increasing effectiveness increases profits. Commerce raiding:Commerce raiding: –Successful cruises divert Union ships from blockade duty. – Privateers (1861): Declaration of Paris Unable to secure prize courts (sovereignty problems).

Union Naval Strategy Part of overall strategy of Anaconda planPart of overall strategy of Anaconda plan –Army will defend Washington and capture Richmond –Navy will maintain strict blockade –Joint ops to split Confederacy in half

Am Rev v. Civil War Was the war at sea (ocean) where each war was going to be won or lost?Was the war at sea (ocean) where each war was going to be won or lost? How did the war on inland waters compare to the war at sea?How did the war on inland waters compare to the war at sea? How did diplomacy work in each of these wars?How did diplomacy work in each of these wars?

Early Naval Operations Norfolk Navy YardNorfolk Navy Yard –Largest naval base and arsenal in the United States. –Captured by Confederate forces on 21 April. –USS Merrimack scuttled by retreating Union forces. –Large number of guns captured by Confederates. Union blockade of the Confederacy:Union blockade of the Confederacy: –“Paper Blockade” needs to become real as soon as possible. –Forward bases required for an effective blockade. –Amphibious operations launched to seize bases in the South.

Battle of Port Royal Attempt to establish first Union base on Confederate territory at Port Royal Sound -- 7 November 1861.Attempt to establish first Union base on Confederate territory at Port Royal Sound -- 7 November Commodore Stephen F. DuPontCommodore Stephen F. DuPont Superior naval gunfire:Superior naval gunfire: –Directed against Confederate forts defending the Sound. –Confederates abandon forts. Union soldiers and Marines land unopposed.Union soldiers and Marines land unopposed. Other Union amphibious operations will resemble Port Royal operation.Other Union amphibious operations will resemble Port Royal operation.

Three Theaters Great Inland RiversGreat Inland Rivers –Mississippi River Basin –Vicksburg –Red River Atlantic and Gulf CoastsAtlantic and Gulf Coasts –Fort Fisher –Port Royale –Mobile Bay Blue WaterBlue Water –CSS Alabama & CSS Florida

Battle of Mobile Bay Union fleet commanded by David Glasgow Farragut.Union fleet commanded by David Glasgow Farragut. Confederate fleet commanded by Franklin Buchanan.Confederate fleet commanded by Franklin Buchanan. Entrance to Mobile Bay heavily defended.Entrance to Mobile Bay heavily defended. –Torpedo buoys placed in entrance to the Bay. –Guns of Fort Morgan defend only open channel. Union fleet outnumbers and outguns the Confederate fleet waiting in Mobile Bay.Union fleet outnumbers and outguns the Confederate fleet waiting in Mobile Bay. Farragut positions “monitors” between the rest of his fleet and Fort Morgan.Farragut positions “monitors” between the rest of his fleet and Fort Morgan. Brooklyn’s captain stops and blocks the channel.Brooklyn’s captain stops and blocks the channel. “Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!”“Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!”

Battle of Mobile Bay

Commerce Raiding What where the famous Confederate ships?What where the famous Confederate ships? What effect did this have on Northern shipping?What effect did this have on Northern shipping? Effect on outcome of the war?Effect on outcome of the war?

Technological Innovations ArmorArmor TorpedoesTorpedoes RamsRams

Interservice cooperation How well was it coordinated on the southern side?How well was it coordinated on the southern side? How well was intergovernmental agency cooperation?How well was intergovernmental agency cooperation?

Tactical Trends Introduction of “ironclads”:Introduction of “ironclads”: – Strengths: Heavily armored – Weaknesses: Low mobility on the open ocean. Question of a fleet's ability to suppress coastal fortifications unanswered.Question of a fleet's ability to suppress coastal fortifications unanswered. Appreciation for combined (Army-Navy) operations.Appreciation for combined (Army-Navy) operations. –Proper planning and coordination essential for success.

Costal Defense Effectiveness of Forts?Effectiveness of Forts? –Types –Are Monitors effective defensive weapons or offensive? Torpedoes?Torpedoes?

Technological Innovation North — Monitor ClassNorth — Monitor Class – Combination of steam, screw, armor, and a gun turret – Large numbers built – “Dahlgren Guns” effective at close range – Gives Union Navy the advantage on coastal and inland waterways SouthSouth – CSS Virginia -- Steam power and iron armor – The “Davids” – CSS Hunley - submarine – “Torpedoes” – “Laird” rams

CSS Hunley