But such innovations could not overcome the constant and painful pressure of large Federal fleets all along the Southern coast. So vital were the navies to the Northern war effort, James G. Randall wrote, “that Union victory without the naval contribution seems inconceivable.” SUGGESTED READINGS Ammen, Daniel, _The Navy in the Civil War: The Atlantic Coast_ (1883, 1960, 1962). Carse, Robert, _Blockade_ (1958). Dufour, Charles L., _The Night the War Was Lost_ (1960). Durkin, Joseph T., _Stephen R. Mallory: Confederate Navy Chief_ (1954). Gosnell, H. Allen, _Guns on the Western Waters_ (1949). Horn, Stanley F., _Gallant Rebel_ (1947). Jones, Virgil C., _The Civil War at Sea_ (3 vols., 1960-62). Lewis, Charles L., _David Glasgow Farragut, Our First Admiral_ (2 vols., 1941-43). Mahan, Alfred T., _The Navy in the Civil War: The Gulf and Inland Waters_ (1883, 1960, 1962). Merrill, James M., _The Rebel Shore_ (1957). Porter, David D., _The Naval History of the Civil War_ (1886). Robinson, William M., Jr., _The Confederate Privateers_ (1928). Scharf, J. Thomas, _History of the Confederate States Navy_ (1887). Semmes, Raphael, _Service Afloat_ (1903). ____, _The Confederate Raider Alabama_ (1962). Sinclair, Arthur, _Two Years on the Alabama_ (1895). Soley, James R., _The Navy in the Civil War: The Blockade and the Cruisers_ (1883, 1960, 1962). West, Richard S., Jr., _Gideon Welles: Lincoln’s Navy Department_ (1943). ____, _Mr. Lincoln’s Navy_ (1957). White, William and Ruth, _Tin Can on a Shingle_ (1957). [Illustration: Young boys known as “Powder Monkeys” served on almost every warship in the Civil War. This little sailor stands on the deck of the U.S.S. _New Hampshire_.] VI. DIPLOMACY What the nations of Europe did—or did not do—were matters of constant and vital concern to both North and South during the Civil War. President Davis and other Confederate officials hoped earnestly that England, and possibly France as well, would recognize the independence of the Southern nation and grant it much-needed aid. President Lincoln and the Federal authorities were just as desirous that European powers should not intervene in the American struggle. Thus, starting in 1861, both sides began a determined tug-of-war to woo the statesmen of Europe to their respective cause. [Illustration: James Mason and John Slidell were both former U. S. senators. Mason chewed tobacco arduously and could be crude in manner.] [Illustration: Slidell spoke French fluently and had married into Louisiana Creole aristocracy.]