TRAINEE GUIDE - Recruit Training Command - The US Navy

TRAINEE GUIDE A-950-0001
OUTLINE SHEET 1-08-1 (continued)
3 The four-hour battle ended in a draw with only
minor damage to each ship, demonstrating the
superiority of iron hulls.
4 The actions of the Monitor preserved the Union
Blockade; but the presence of the CSS Virginia
prevented the Union army from performing an
amphibious assault on the area.
5 The USS Monitor was the first ship with a
revolving gun turret (horizontal, rotating
structure containing mounted guns). The
revolving turret eliminated the need for ships to
battle broadside to broadside; e.g., Bonhomme
Richard and Serapis.
(b) In February 1864, the Confederate submarine CSS H.L.
Hunley was the first submarine to sink a warship.
1 The Union ship USS Housatonic was participating
in a blockade of Charleston, SC.
2 The Housatonic was sunk in four minutes by an
explosive charge of gunpowder driven into its
side by the Hunley.
3 The Hunley also went down following the mine's
explosion.
4 In 1995, the wreck of the Hunley was located in
Charleston Harbor. It was later raised and
conservation work is in progress.
(c) In August 1864, at the Battle of Mobile Bay, a fleet
under the command of Admiral David G. Farragut defeated
Confederate forces to gain control of Mobile, AL.
1 In the middle of a mine (then called torpedo)
field, Farragut ordered, “Damn the torpedoes,
full speed ahead.”
2 The battle resulted in the Union gaining control
of the Confederacy's last major Seaport on the
Gulf coast.
e. The Spanish-American War (1898)
(1) Overview
(a) The United States declared war with Spain because:
1 Of disputes between the U.S. and Spain about
Cuban independence.
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