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Article: THE Steel Navy.(growth of U.S. Navy from 1865 to 1898)(includes related article on naval leaders)
- Article from:
- Cobblestone
- Article date:
- May 1, 1999
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1999 Carus Publishing Co. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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From 1865 to 1898, the U.S. Navy grew. A small navy of wooden sailing ships was replaced by a powerful fleet of steel battleships. This growing "steel navy" soon outmanned and outclassed other countries' navies. As a result, the U.S. Navy defeated the Spanish Navy in every battle in the Spanish-American War. The U.S. Navy became the second strongest navy (England had the strongest) in the world.
By the end of the Civil War in 1865, the Union navy had several hundred ships. Most were scattered in U.S. rivers and tributaries on both coasts. A few ships were located in spots around the world. Congress decided there was no need for a large navy. Secretary of the Navy ...