List of naval battles of the American Civil War

These revolutionary new warships were protected by the thick armor plating that gives them the name ironclad, which prevented any lasting damage to either ship.

Because of this failure, the Union would blockade Charleston for two more years, while the Confederacy was able to set up several more forts along the coast of South Carolina.

The Confederate ship took many hits and casualties, and the rising water shut off its engines, leaving the surviving crew with no other choice but to surrender and be rescued by Kearsarge.

The Confederates retained a sufficient amount of resources to withstand the blockade for an extended period of time, causing the war to last longer than expected.

[4] Naval ships on both sides also served as much-needed floating hospitals, housing and treating soldiers who had been injured in battle.