A Look at the Union Navy in the Civil War

Taken from a series of post by Steve Hesson on the Civil War Navy and Marine Yahoo e-mail group.


POWDER MONKEYS

Some 16-17 year-olds enlisted as powder monkeys, but the practice was dying off. Young boys enlisted mostly to be servants to officers. Running powder for the guns was their battle station. Contraband slaves enlisted as the war progressed and they were made powder monkeys because it was thought they were not bright enough to do anything else.


BOAT CREWS
Boat crews were made up of a Coxswain, Bow Hook and Oarsmen. The coxswain was in charge and usually held the rank of petty officer. The rest of the boat crews were from the deck department.

The Bow Hook sailor was the second most important person on the boat. He had to be able to handle the bow hook which was a long pole with a hook on it used to push away.

For a Better Understanding of the Navy in the War. --Blockade-R