Federal naval forces make gains in December by capturing various blockade runners and seizing forts along the coast.

Exploring the most important 55 months in American history
Federal naval forces make gains in December by capturing various blockade runners and seizing forts along the coast.
Federal forces seize an important base to be used as a staging area for future operations in the Gulf of Mexico.
The C.S.S. Sumter completes her first raid on U.S. shipping, Federals strengthen their blockade, and a Federal crew takes on Confederate privateers.
President Abraham Lincoln issues an order imposing a naval blockade on ports in the Confederate states.
February 17, 1864 – One of the first submarine attacks in history occurred when a “submersible” Confederate vessel confronted a Federal warship on blockade duty
January 13, 1864 – Rear Admiral John A.B. Dahlgren, commanding the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, recommended that Federal forces use torpedo boats, like the Confederacy’s