Product Description

The lifeblood of the Confederacy, the blockade runners of the Civil War usually began life as regular fast steam-powered merchant ships. They were adapted for the high-speed dashes through the Union blockade which closed off all the major Southern ports, and for much of the war they brought much-needed food, clothing and weaponry to the Confederacy. This book traces their operational history, including the development of purpose-built blockade running ships, and examines their engines, crews and tactics. It describes their wartime exploits, demonstrating their operational and mechanical performance, whilst examining what life was like on these vessels through accounts of conditions on board when they sailed into action.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #693751 in Books
• Published on: 2004-01-22
• Released on: 2004-01-22
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 48 pages

From the Publisher
The unrivalled illustrated reference on fighting vehicles, transport and artillery through the ages. Each volume is illustrated throughout, making these books uniquely accessible to history enthusiasts of all ages.

About the Author
Angus Konstam hails from the Orkney Islands of Scotland, and is the author of over 40 books, many of which are published by Osprey. His work for the New Vanguard series to date includes volumes 41: ‘Confederate Ironclad 1861-65’, 45: ‘Union Monitor 1861-65’, 64: ‘Confederate Raider 1861-65’ and 92: ‘Confederate Blockade Runner 1861-65’. Formerly the Curator of Weapons in the Royal Armouries at the Tower of London, he also served as the Chief Curator of the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum in Key West, Florida. He is currently based in Edinburgh, where he pursues a full-time career as a historian.

Customer Reviews

Terrific Book
This is a must-have if you are interested in Civil War maritime history, the Blockade, or the Confederacy in general. Blockade runners rapidly evolved into a very specialized type of ship, capable of running their cargos at high-speed while adopting what would become known as stealth characteristics. This book, like most in the Osprey series, has a lot of information crammed into a small space, including information on early runners adopted from packet steamer designs, the evolution of naval technology at the time and even a little on the tactics employed by the small boats. The illustrations are what really makes the book though... beautifully done and technically accurate they make this book a unique resource.

Book Provides and Excellent Introduction to this Little Written About Subject
The book starts by providing an short but very good introduction showing the importance of blockage running to the South's war effort and economy and hence the importance of the blockade runners. Considering this importance, it is definitely not covered well enough in existing literature.

After this, the book discusses the history of blockade running from the start of the war to end. One sees how the ships and tactics, very well, evolved during this period. At first, just about anything was used as a blockade runner. As the war went on the ships became more and more specialized and developed certain characteristics (i.e., 1 to 8 width by hull length, metal hulls, low bridges, funnels and masts that had the ability to fold down, etc.).

In addition there is a discussion as to the types of cargoes carried, crews, routes used, where the ships were acquired, how built and, possibly most important of all, the impact of the ships on ship design and development after the war. The latter, especially, has rarely been written about.

Book / Confederate Blockade Runner 1861-65
Excellent historical content and outstanding images and art work. Great addition to Civil War library.