The United States Navy in the 19th Century

The United States Navy in the 19th Century was a period of development and growth. Its apotheosis was during the Civil War, but it declined after that. In contrast, Great Britain became the world leader in promoting modern naval technology. Then, in the late 1880s, the U.S. Navy saw a period of revival when new battleships were introduced into the Navy's fleet. The new vessels employed Mahan's command of the sea, demonstrating the industrial maturation of the United States.

The early Navy had no organized means of recreation, but by the 1830s, there were libraries on board ships. The libraries were usually under the charge of a clerk or chaplain and served as a source of education for sailors and officers alike. Men could also engage in extracurricular activities such as music. Instruments were purchased through subscriptions. Newspapers were also published on board, and theatrical performances were popular.

After the American Revolution, the U.S. Navy had increased to 54 ships. As a result of this increase, the Navy was able to capture 94 French ships in three years. As a result, the Navy established a naval academy in Annapolis, Maryland. The Navy also took over California during the Mexican-American War (1846-48) and landed troops at Veracruz.

In addition to the fleet, the American Navy also built naval squadrons. These squadrons offered support to American ships and official facilitated formalities with foreign powers. A naval squadron was composed of one or more ships that remained in a specific port for extended periods. They were also ready to respond to the needs of a damaged American ship. These ships helped shape the course of American naval history.

Although the Navy did not develop submarines until the mid-1870s, it was still committed to completing a fleet of Second Rate wooden warships. These vessels were launched between August 1835 and July 1848. When completed, the class had an effective storage battery.

All commissioned officers slept in staterooms and cabins. On flagships, the captain shared a cabin with the flag officer. A bulkhead separated these officers. The other officers slept in cabins and apartments, sometimes staterooms or mess rooms.

The United States Navy was not as large as its European counterparts. This limited the U.S. navy, but it did participate in the race to explore the world and benefit from trade. The U.S. Navy used cartography to aid its scientific journeys by training its officers to be navigators and cartographers. Its presence on the oceans paved the way for trade with China and other countries of the time.

In the Spanish-American War, the U.S. Navy won two decisive battles. At the Battle of Manila Bay, Adm. George Dewey and the U.S. Atlantic fleet led to the destruction of the Spanish naval presence in the Caribbean. During the next two decades, the Navy grew in power and efficiency, and the U.S. Navy became a significant force in the Pacific and Atlantic regions. With the help of President Theodore Roosevelt, the Navy gained national popularity.