TRAINEE GUIDE - Recruit Training Command - The US Navy

TRAINEE GUIDE A-950-0001
OUTLINE SHEET 1-08-1 (continued)
(2) Significant events--In 1812, on the Atlantic Ocean east of
Boston, the frigate USS Constitution defeated the frigate
HMS Guerrière in a 35-minute battle.
(a) Some references say the USS Constitution was nicknamed
“Old Ironsides” because enemy cannonballs bounced
harmlessly off Constitution's hull.
(b) Other references discount the cannonball theory and
state the nickname "Old Ironsides" was earned because
the Constitution's hull received so little damage.
(c) The Constitution is still afloat today in Boston
harbor, Massachusetts.
(d) The Constitution is the oldest commissioned ship in
the U.S. Navy.
d. The Civil War (1861-1865)
(1) Overview
(a) The Civil War of the United States was a result of the
southern states seceding from the Union to form the
Confederate States of America.
(b) The Union Navy’s role was to:
1 Blockade the southern coastline to prevent the
export of cotton and the import of ammunition.
2 Conduct operations on the Mississippi River and
its tributaries.
3 Transport army personnel for amphibious assaults.
(c) The Confederate Navy's role was to:
1 Disrupt the Union blockade.
2 Mine harbors to protect them from Union forces.
(2) Significant events
(a) In 1862, the first battle of Ironclad (armored with
metal) ships took place between the USS Monitor and
the CSS Virginia.
1 The CSS Virginia attacked the Union blockade in
the area of Hampton Roads, Virginia and sunk
several warships.
2 The USS Monitor attacked the Virginia to halt the
destruction of the Union blockade.
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