The history of our Navy from its origin to the present day, 1775-1897, vol. 4 (of 4)

"The History of Our Navy from Its Origin to the Present Day, 1775-1897" by John Randolph Spears is a historical exploration of the United States Navy, tracing its journey from its beginnings to the late 19th century, with considerable attention to the Civil War period. The book highlights groundbreaking naval advancements, pivotal figures, and crucial battles, granting readers understanding into naval combat and strategic maritime operations during American history. Setting the scene, the book opens by looking into the situation of the U.S. Navy in 1859, spotlighting major shifts in naval technology and ship construction from the American Revolutionary War to just before the Civil War. Spears examines the change of warships from wooden sailboats to steam-powered ships armed with bigger, better weapons. What's more, he presents famous naval trailblazers such as Robert Fulton and John Ericsson, and acknowledges the difficulties experienced by veteran officers as civic unrest spread, causing a profound separation in loyalty within the naval forces. The level of insight offers a look at a navy poised for major change, in terms of both technology and the political environment it would face.