What Are Some Significant Changes In Naval Technology During The 19th Century

During the 19th century, the US Navy transformed its technology to provide significant changes in naval technology. When the Navy first began, its technology consisted of smaller ships and frigates leaving room for new transformations. Due to these changes naval warfare was altered. Bringing changes in materials and design, impacting politics, trade, and commerce. One of the most substantial advancements in naval technology during the 19th century was the creation of the steam engine. The steam engine changed naval warfare by allowing ships to be more pliable, making it easier to battle wind, build speed, and maneuverability. Steam engines led to the development of paddlewheel steamers, which were widely used for transport and commerce. By

Torpedoes were built based on torpedo fish, made to be air-powered for use through submarine destroyers. However, these technological advancements also posed several challenges. For example, the transition from sail to steam propulsion required significant changes in ship design and infrastructure. Steam engines required coal-fired boilers, which took up a lot of space and required specialized maintenance. Additionally, the transition to iron and steel construction required new techniques for welding and riveting, which were not widely available. Another problem was the costs of implementing new technologies as they were excessive. Iron warships, for example, were much more expensive than their old counterparts, which limited their adoption by some naval powers. Finally, the introduction of new technologies often required significant changes in naval tactics and strategy, which had to be developed and refined over time. The 19th century saw significant changes in naval technology, including the introduction of steam propulsion, ironclad warships, rifled guns, torpedoes, and the use of iron and steel in ship

The Navy’s main roles were to make blockades, have sea warfare, create naval arrangements, and utilize its technology. When the Union Navy began this war, they started with ninety warships, however, forty-two warships were in commission. The Navy also used its steam power, propellers, and other technologies to aid its military strategy. However, the Confederates had no start-up in creating their Navy. As their main source of the economy was from slave labor and cotton, their economy was not as industrialized as the Union’s economy. This allowed the Union to prevent the Confederacy from importing goods and materials, thereby limiting their ability to wage war effectively. The Union Navy was also involved in several amphibious operations, such as the capture of New Orleans, Mobile Bay, and other key Confederate ports. These operations helped to cut off the Confederacy's supply lines and weaken their ability to continue fighting. The Navy also played a key role in supporting Union armies transporting troops and supplies along major rivers such as the Mississippi and Potomac. Not only did the Navy have a role in battles on the sea, but they also helped with battles on the