The book covers the story of the entire Confederate ironclad fleet. Melton starts with the James River squadron and the historic battle between the Virginia and Monitor in Hampton Roads. Then in succession, he describes the loss of the New Orleans, the Louisiana, and the Mississippi; the actions of the Arkansas on Western rivers ; the Charleston and Mobile squadrons ; the operation in North Carolina waters ; the destruction of the Albemarle ; and the European ironclads.

The James River squadron -- The loss of New Orleans -- On and off the Mississippi -- The Charleston squadron -- The Savannah squadron and the Muskogee -- North Carolina waters -- The Mobile squadron -- The James River again -- The European ironclads.