nap covil war navy union blockade map civil war

After consulting with his captains, Du Pont concluded that his fleet had little chance to succeed. One sailor in the fleet was killed and twenty-one were wounded, while five Confederate soldiers were killed and eight wounded.

The fleet retired with one in a sinking condition and most of the others damaged. Firing had occupied less than two hours, and the ships had been unable to penetrate even the first line of harbor defense. The slow monitors got into position rather late in the afternoon, and when the tide turned, Du Pont had to suspend the operation. After a long period of preparation, conditions of tide and visibility allowed the attack to proceed. Other naval operations were sidetracked as their resources were diverted to the attack on Charleston.

Navy Department officials in Washington hoped for a stunning success that would validate a new form of warfare, with armored warships mounting heavy guns reducing traditional forts.ĭu Pont had been given seven of the Passaic class monitors, the powerful New Ironsides, and the experimental ironclad Keokuk. The ships, under command of Rear Admiral Samuel Francis Du Pont, attacked the Confederate defenses near the entrance to Charleston Harbor. A Union Army contingent associated with the attack took no active part in the battle. The striking force was a fleet of nine ironclad warships of the Union Navy, including seven monitors that were improved versions of the original USS Monitor. The First Battle of Charleston Harbor was an engagement near Charleston, South Carolina that took place April 7, 1863, during the American Civil War.

Nap covil war navy union blockade map civil war