"This reference lists the ships of the U.S. Navy and the Confederate Navy during the war between the North and South and the years immediately following - a significant period in the evolution of warships, the use of steam propulsion, and the development of ordnance. Civil War Navies provides a wealth and variety of material not found in other books on the subject and saves readers from the need to track down information in multiple sources.".

Naval ordinance, 1855-1883 - - United States Navy warships. Armored vessesl. Unarmored steam vessels. Acquired combatant vessels. Service vessels. Sailing ships. Mississippi River fleet. United States Revenue Cutter Service. United States coast survey - - Confederate States Navy. Introduction. Armored vessels. Unarmored steam vessels. Area defense forces. Privateers. Blockade runners. Tenders - - Appendix: List of shipbuilders.