This collection of writings by Confederate naval participants aptly tells the story of the hardships and trials faced by the men of the South on the seas and waterways. The narratives include fond memories of skirmishes in beloved ships, recollections of bitter defeats, dispatches of officers claiming victory, gritty excerpts from journals, accounts of cunning blockade dodges and carefully worded reports reporting the loss of a ship. Each entry lends valuable information and colour as a modern reader tries to understand just what these men faced.

Confederate Navy Ironclad Program is the account of the design, construction, and engagements of the Confederate Navy's ironclad warships. It is a perplexing story. On the one hand, it is the description of vision, ingenuity, and courage, coupled with grim perseverance and determination. On the other hand, it is a sad tale of frustration, innumerable delays, and proof of the ancient adage of "too little too late." Plagued by lack of materials and experienced shipbuilders, the South nevertheless managed to build and name 34 iron-armored warships of which the navy commissioned 25 and put into service. Except for the Albemarle, no Confederate ironclad was sunk or destroyed by enemy action. Overtaken by events on the ground, most were destroyed by their own crews to prevent them from falling into the hands of Union forces. Born amidst war and invasion, hampered by lack of materials and shipbuilding facilities, the Southern Navy in its four years-plus existence compiled a record of unsurpassed resourcefulness, courage, and ingenuity. A fundamental example of this courage and ingenuity was the design, construction, and performance in battle of their ironclad warships. These armored vessels best illustrate the hardships under which the naval construction program operated, as well as just what the Southern navy could accomplish once they were completed and were brought to bear against the enemy.

No body of water was more vital to the Confederacy's efforts in the Civil War than the Mississippi River and its tributaries. Though the Confederate Congress declared the Mississippi free and open to all states north and south, the Union launched plans for an effective blockade of the 1700 miles of Southern coastline, coupled with a strong naval and army thrust down the Mississippi Valley from Cairo, Illinois, to the Gulf of Mexico. To defend the river and to prevent Union forces from advancing, the South would require a strong naval force. There was only one problem with the strategy: The Confederacy had no navy. On February 25, 1861, Confederate president Jefferson Davis nominated Stephen R. Mallory to be secretary of the newly formed Confederate States Navy. Mallory faced significant obstacles-no shipyards, few skilled craftsmen and machinists, and a lack of production facilities to process raw materials. Mallory was able to overcome the many shortcomings to build a formidable navy, but the efforts in the Mississippi theatre were hamstrung by a disjointed command structure and inter-service bickering. Despite these problems, the Confederate Navy contested the Union forces at every turn. The history of Confederate naval forces on the western waters is a story of desperation, intrigue, ineptitude, and humiliating defeats, interspersed with moments of courage, innovation, resourcefulness, and a few hard-earned victories.

The struggle for control of the eastern waters of North Carolina duringthe War Between the States was a bitter, painful, and sometimeshumiliating one for the Confederate navy. No better example exists ofthe classic adage, Too little, too late. Burdened by the lack ofadequate warships, construction facilities and even ammunition, nevertheless the South's naval arm fought bravely and recklessly tostem the tide of the Federal invasion of North Carolina from the sea.Storm Over North Carolina is the account of the Southern navy'sstruggle in North Carolina waters. It is a saga of crushing defeatsinterspersed with moments of brilliant victories. It is also the story ofdogged determination and incredible perseverance in the face ofoverwhelming odds