During the American Civil War between 1861 and 1865, the maritime city of Liverpool, England, was a major port and staging ground for the Confederate States Navy.

Liverpool, England, became a major contributor to the Confederate cause due to private businesses and citizens who profited from the American conflict.

CSS Alabama, CSS Florida, and the CSS Shenandoah

Major Confederate ships such as the CSS Alabama, CSS Florida, and the CSS Shenandoah were built in Liverpool. After their completion, the ships were sold to the Confederate Navy.

These ships, among many others, were used to fight and destroy Union ships as well as to seize Union merchant ships in order to send much-needed supplies to the Confederate forces.

Profit of 700 per cent per trip

Companies began to outfit ships to run the Union blockade where an estimated profit of 700 per cent per trip could be made (George McHenry, Approaching Cotton Crisis, Otley & Co., 1863).

The amount of profit that could be made during the war was one of the biggest reasons why England took a major role in the Confederate Navy.

The port of Liverpool built numerous ships of many different variants to aid the Confederate cause.

Confederate Navy made in Liverpool

Liverpool became a major manufacturing port for the Confederate Navy and also acted as the Confederate base of operations when dealing with European nations.

The use of Liverpool as both a staging ground and an industrial shipbuilding factory demonstrated the lack of neutrality the British government claimed to be in during the Proclamation of Neutrality on May 13, 1861, given by Queen Victoria.

The blockade runners

The blockade runners provided by Great Britain to the Union not only brought goods to the South and to Europe, but effectively proved that the Union blockade was little more than a paper blockade.

In their eyes, it wasn’t illegal to sell and purchase goods. Overall, Great Britain’s role within the Confederate Navy was extensive and crucial for the Confederate cause.

Ironclads

Numerous ships, both blockade-runners and ironclads, were manufactured and sold to the Confederate States Navy by Great Britain.

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The use of blockade-runners allowed the Confederate Navy to receive supplies and shipments from Great Britain, which allowed the Confederacy to endure in its war against the Union.

A Fighting Chance

The ships provided by the British gave the Confederate Navy a fighting chance against the already established Union Navy, and the ability to seize numerous goods and ships on the Confederacy’s behalf.

Photo: C. S. Captain Raphael Semmes (foreground) aboard the British-built Commerce Raider CSS Alabama.

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