American Civil War
1861–1865
The first battle between ironclads, at Hampton Roads, made every wooden navy in the world obsolete overnight. The Union used its fleets to blockade the South and force its way past the forts guarding New Orleans and Mobile Bay, while Confederate raiders such as Alabama hunted Union merchant ships across the oceans.
How the fleets moved
Click a route to see which ships made it, or a battle for its summary. Routes are approximate.
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American movement
Confederate movement
Battle (size: ships engaged)
Routes are approximate.
Major battles
The 4 biggest of the 5 battles covered here, by ships engaged.
8–9 March 1862
Battle of Hampton RoadsHampton Roads, Virginia
Inconclusive; Confederate tactical success, blockade maintained
13 (2 lost)
vs
5
18–28 April 1862
Battle of Forts Jackson and St. PhilipMississippi River below New Orleans
Union victory; New Orleans falls
38 (2 lost)
vs
4 (3 lost)
5 August 1864
Battle of Mobile BayEntrance to Mobile Bay, Alabama
Union victory
18 (1 lost)
vs
4 (3 lost)
Fleets
Each navy's ships in the war, from its biggest down.