Perhaps more than all the campaigns of the Union armies, the Union naval blockade--covering all major Southern ports along 3,500 miles of coastline for the duration of the war--brought down the Confederacy. The daring exploits of Confederate blockade runners are well known--but many of them were British citizens operating out of neutral ports such as Nassau, Havana and Bermuda.

Focusing on British involvement in the war, this history names the overseas bankers and manufacturers who, in critical need of cotton and other Confederate exports, financed and equipped the fast little ships that ran the blockade. The author attempts to disentangle the names and aliases of the captains--many of whom were Royal Navy officers on temporary leave--and tells their stories in their own words.

About the Author
Joseph McKenna is a retired local studies librarian, with over 30 years experience working in the Central Library in Birmingham, England. He formerly sat on the City Council`s Conservation Advisory Areas Committee.

Reviews
"A unique and exceptionally informative contribution to the growing library of American Civil War histories...an informational and nicely illustrated study that is unreservedly recommended"-Midwest Book Review
"an in-depth look at the British maritime industrial firms, businesses, investors, and individuals who participated in and profited from the immensely lucrative illicit trade with the Confederacy."-Civil War Books and Authors
"detailed.... This is a very good account of an important aspect of the War between the States."-The Northern Mariner / Le marin du nord.



Book Information
ISBN 9781476676791
Author Joseph McKenna
Format Paperback
Page Count 217
Imprint McFarland & Co Inc
Publisher McFarland & Co Inc
Weight(grams) 390g
Dimensions(mm) 254mm * 178mm * 11mm