Salt Works Raid at Cedar Key

Drawing of USS Ellen , a converted New York ferryboat; USS Somerset would likely have looked similar. Note that ship is firing on a target o...

CSS Virginia LEGO Ship Instructions Available for Download

Click on the above image to download the instructions (.pdf) The wait is finally over!  As part of the new "Brick by Brick: LEGO Shipbu...

US Navy Patrols on the St. Johns River, Florida

The take-over of the Confederate battery on St. Johns Bluff opened the St. Johns River to US Navy forces to conduct patrols up the river. ...

St. Johns Bluff Part III - Taking the Battery

Sketch of the configuration of the Confederate Battery on St. Johns Bluff following capture. From the "Official Records of the Union an...

The U.S. Navy's Newest Weapon-USS New Ironsides

In late August 1862, the Philadelphia Inquirer ran the above headline and sketch of the U.S. Navy's newest ironclad that just left the ...

CSS Florida's Mad Dash into Mobile

To say Confederate Lieutenant John Newland Maffitt had a tough decision to make would be an understatement.  After the  Florida's  relea...

Naval Engagement at St. Johns Bluff - Part II

USS Paul Jones (From Naval History and Heritage Command archives) Reports of the firing on the gunboats USS Uncas and Patroon on 11 Septemb...