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The Confederacy had no navy at the start of the war. President Davis initiated naval action by launching a privateer campaign against Northern shipping, hoping that privately-financed privateers would tie up the Union navy and prevent a successful blockade of the South. President Lincoln responded by declaring a blockade of the Confederacy. The Union Navy was greatly expanded (largely by the addition of hastily converted commercial vessels), and eventually established an effective blockade of all Confederate ports. Although the Union did conduct operations on the high seas against Confederate privateers and raiders, the blockade always took the highest priority - contrary to the Confederacy's hopes. The Union Navy conducted a number of campaigns in cooperation with the Army, conquering or isolating Confederate ports and opening the Mississippi River. Confederate naval forces were divided by geography, and had limited objectives: to defeat Union naval forces in their area, and to "break" the blockade (by destroying or driving off the blockading forces). Without an industrial base, the Confederacy was driven to naval innovation by desperation. They led the way in use of mine warfare and submarines, and were the first to build ironclad warships. The Union was forced to counter these developments, which it did through the use of over-powering force (made possible by their greater industrial base) and by the creation of its own fleet of technologically superior ironclads. Recommended ReadingERROR - invalid isdn (0-306-80367-4) ERROR - invalid isdn (0-7858-1210-5) |
