blockade running during the American Civil War

Blockade running during the American Civil War involved ships that attempted to evade the Union Navy's blockade of Southern ports. The Union aimed to cut off supplies, goods, and trade to weaken the Confederate economy. Blockade runners were often fast, nimble vessels, capable of slipping in and out of ports like Charleston and Wilmington to deliver crucial supplies, including arms, food, and luxury goods. They played a vital role in sustaining the Confederate war effort despite the risks of being captured or sunk by Union forces patrolling the coast.