"Blockade effectiveness over time???" Topic

I, like most everyone else have read alot, listened alot and watched alot. We all know that the blockade became more effective over the course of the war. I assume this was because of a combination of capturing key ports AND increased ships on station to blockade remaining ports. I am curious and my question revolves around how effective it was during the first 18 months and why.
My understanding is that 1861 was mainly spent securing islands, ports, etc all around the cost line so that warships could be resupplied, stay on station longer extra. It is also my impression that during this early period that the Union didn't have enough ships to effectively blockade all the major ports and that THIS is the mechanic, along with capturing ports that built up the effectiveness of the blockade over time. Is this a correct understanding?? Am I off base?? This also explains while, buy say 1864 through a combination of port captures and having many more ocean going war ships the blockade really began to strangle the CSA's ability to function in earnest?? I am asking because I haven't found alot of info on the first year or so of the blockading process other than what I have shared. Thanks!!! Happy gaming!!

In 1861 the blockade was not all that effective. The Confederacy was actually able to get numerous privateers to sea with mixed success. Trade with Europe was also doable. There was always a risk of being captured but still worth the risk.

link

Interesting piece looking at the Economy and Blockade – from the Naval Institute – Looks like the initial strategy was not well thought out.

"Following the declaration of the blockade by President Abraham Lincoln, U.S. Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles quickly established two blockade zones. The first basically extended from Virginia to the Florida Atlantic Coast, while the second covered the Gulf Coast of Florida to Texas…. it was clear early on that the Navy needed to establish a more deliberate strategy for the blockade. At the direction of Assistant Secretary of the Navy Gustavus Fox, the Navy created a Blockade Board under Flag Officer Samuel Du Pont in the summer of 1861 to formulate a more coherent and effective blockade policy."

Can't document it, but I think you, gamer1, have it right.

You are correct that in the first year or so of the war the blockade was not terribly effective although the capture of New Orleans in late April 1862 was a major accomplishment. As time went by and more ports were captured and the North built or converted more ships, the blockade became tighter and tighter. And the South shot itself in the foot early on by imposing an embargo on sales of Southern cotton to Europe to try and force them to recognize the Confederacy. They denied an important source of income to themselves at a time when ships full of cotton could have gone out in relative safety