Committed to paper over a hundred years ago, The Navy in Civil War stands out because it was written by someone who was there – not an admiral sitting in Washington, but by a lieutenant who was part of the action, seeing the fighting first hand and earning promotions up to the rank of Captain. The U.S. Navy in the mid-1800s was at one of its most vulnerable points in history. The motley collection of vessels that participated in the various engagements underscores the rush in which the government acquired vessels of any type to supply the needs of the blockade. Admiral Ammen’s participation in the war enabled him to provide details about the successes and shortcomings of the newest class of vessel, the monitors, and “torpedo boats,” the early forerunners of the submarines.