Confederate Navy (1863) Single prototype, following Pioneer and American Diver 1861-63 So many books and documentaries, even featured films were made about this particular Confederate vessel. HL Hunley was indeed an early precursor, and although human-propelled, born from desperation, she was the first to sink a warship in operation. “the Hunley” was also a vicious … Read more
Kōtetsu (1864) Japanese Ironclad 1862-1888. The twisted origins of the first Japanese Ironclad The “ship with five lives” Kotetsu was quite unique as being an ironclad changing at least five or six times names and flags during her 20-years long career. She was planned for the Confederate navy under cover, first laid down as the … Read more
USS Spuyten Duyvil (1864) Union Navy The first USN Torpedo Boat After suffering against Confederate use of the torpedo, the Union decided to create a ship using the same weapon. This resulted in the creation of a very original vessel, at first called the USS Stromboli, and soon renamed Spuyten Duyvil. It became in essence … Read more
USS Monitor (1862) Union Navy First of the name & defining a type: The Monitor The USS Monitor is not only an icon of the American civil war, a symbol of the industrial north, but it also defined a genre, a type that found use until recent times. The USN still deployed monitors to combat … Read more
Union Navy USS New Ironsides after reconstruction in 1864 The American sea-going ironclad (1862-66) The USS New ironsides was the sole true sea going ironclad of the entire Secession war, and the first of the united states. As soon as the Union admiralty had clues about a new confederate ironclad, future CSS Virginia, requirements for … Read more
Confederate Navy CSS David The confederacy, always trying to wage a potent naval warfare with its limited resources, tried several spar torpedo vessels and rams, notably to deal with blockading ships. These anchored targets were perfect ones, beeing unable to built steam fast enough to sail out of harm… If only the attacking ship was … Read more
Confederate Navy CSS Savannah CSS Savannah was part of the larger Richmond-class, one of the two classes or casemate ironclad built by the confederate navy during the war. The Richmond class was conceived a genuine design for ships to be built locally with limited resources, but in sufficient numbers, not to turn the tide of … Read more
Confederate Navy CSS Fredericksburg Born in Richmond The CSS Fredericksburg was born in Richmond, between 1862 and 1863, and was the second Ironclad laid up in this town for the Confederate states navy. It was launched in mid-1963, and declared completed and ready for service in November, 30, 1863. However, it was unarmed at that … Read more
Union Navy USS Unadilla, lead ship of the ’90 days’ schooners The “90 days schooners”. Soon, during civil war, the best Union naval policy chosen was to blockade the entire condeferate coastline by all means necessary, notably to halt confederate trading, make an efficient embargo on weapons and ships, and prevent any intervention by European … Read more
Union Navy A turtleback Union Turret Ironclad Ram The Union warship known as Keokuk was born USS Moodna, built on purpose as an experimental ironclad, with several innovative features. She was designed by engineer Charles W. Whitney for New York City’s J.S. Underhill Shipyards, 11th Street. She was named after the eponym city in Iowa … Read more
