Warships (Civil War) - USA: books - history and ships (1/2)

Mississippi River Gunboats of the American Civil War (Osprey)

At the start of the American Civil War, neither side had warships on the Mississippi River and in the first few months both sides scrambled to gather a flotilla, converting existing riverboats for naval use. These ships were transformed into powerful naval weapons despite a lack of resources, trained manpower and suitable vessels. The creation of a river fleet was a miracle of ingenuity, improvisation and logistics, particularly for the South.

This title describes their design, development and operation throughout the American Civil War.

Contents: Introduction - The Mississippi Theater - The Union River Fleet - The Confederate River Fleet - The Role of Gunboats - Ship List - Union - Ship List - Confederate - Further Reading - Color Plate Commentary - Index.

The USS Cairo - History and Artifacts of a Civil War Gunboat

On December 12, 1862, while patrolling Mississippi's Yazoo River, the ironclad USS Cairo struck a Confederate torpedo. Twelve minutes later, the gunboat slipped beneath the surface approximately eight miles north of Vicksburg, where it remained for exactly 102 years.
When researchers raised it in 1964, they were amazed to find many of its compartments and artifacts perfectly intact, almost as if the sailors had intended that their ship serve as a time capsule. Today, the Cairo is a snapshot of life aboard a Union gunboat, and affords a well-preserved glimpse into the past.

This is the first book dedicated entirely to the Cairo artifact collection. In over 160 photographs, it displays many of the warship's most interesting historical pieces, with descriptions, measurements and other pertinent information for each piece. Artifacts are organized according to use, with categories ranging from tobacco and smoking devices, personal effects and toiletries, and medical equipment to small arms and cannon.
The work also offers background information on the Cairo and the everyday life of a sailor and a short description of the Cairo's sinking and raising.

Union River Ironclad 1861-65 (Osprey)

At the start of the American Civil War, neither side had warships on the Mississippi River, which was a vital strategic artery. In what would prove the vital naval campaign of the war, both sides fought for control of the river.
While the Confederates relied on field fortifications and small gunboats, the Union built a series of revolutionary river ironclads. First commissioned in January 1862, these ironclads spent the next two years battling for control of the Mississippi, fighting in a string of decisive engagements that altered the entire course of the war.

This book explains how these vessels worked, how they were constructed, how they were manned and how they were fought.

Contents: Introduction - Design - Operations - A Catalog of Union River Ironclads - Other River Ironclads - Bibliography - Color Plate Commentary - Index.

Union Monitor 1861-65 (Osprey)

The first seagoing ironclad was the USS Monitor, and its profile has made it one of the most easily recognised warships of all time. Following her inconclusive battle with the Confederate ironclad Virginia on March 9, 1862, the production of Union monitors was accelerated.
By the end of the year a powerful squadron of monitor vessels protected the blockading squadrons off the Southern coastline, and were able to challenge Confederate control of her ports and estuaries. Further technological advancements were included in subsequent monitor designs, and by the end of the war the US Navy possessed a modern coastal fleet carrying the most powerful artillery afloat.

This book covers the design, development and operational history of the Union's Monitor fleet.

Contents: Introduction - Monitor design - Monitor construction methods - Monitors in operation - catalog of ocean-going monitors - Bibliography - Color plate commentary - Index.