THE Civil War was a great practical demonstration of naval vessels propelled by steam. The whole system of naval tactics had undergone a great change. The guns had become vastly more powerful; war ships were now protected by a light armor, and the torpedo had found its way into successful employment. The normal strength of the Navy at the beginning of the war was ninety vessels; fifty of these were sailing ships, worthy vessels in years gone by, but now left behind by progress. There were forty vessels propelled by steam and many of these were scattered on the high seas. As the war progressed, the Navy was increased and at its close had nearly six hundred ships, including every variety of merchantman and river steamboat roughly adapted in navy-yards for war services. There were built or projected during the war nearly sixty ironclads. At the beginning of the war the total number of officers of all grades in the Navy was 1,457, and during its progress the number was increased to 7,500, chiefly from the merchant marine. The normal strength of seamen, which was 7,600, rose during the war to 51,500. The South entered upon the war without any naval preparation and with very limited resources, but by purchases and seizures equipped a considerable fleet. Toward the close of the conflict the war photographers secured a large number of negatives during naval demonstrations. Among those here presented is Admiral David D. Porter and staff on his flagship, "Malvern," on the Fort Fisher Expedition. The gallant admiral may be seen standing in the center of the group. A picture is on the following page of Major-General A. H. Terry and staff, in command of the land demonstrations around Fort Fisher, and on whom special honors were conferred by Congress for his courageous leadership in the attack. These photographs witness the last great naval demonstration of the war. [Illustration: PANORAMIC VIEW OF FORT FISHER, NORTH CAROLINA, IN 1865] [Illustration: MAJOR-GENERAL ALFRED H. TERRY AND STAFF AT FORT FISHER] [Illustration: ENGLISH ARMSTRONG GUN IN FORT FISHER] [Illustration: RUINS OF COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA, FROM THE CAPITOL--SHELLED BY SHERMAN, FEBRUARY 16, 1865--PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN BY BRADY WHILE RUINS WERE SMOKING] [Illustration: RUINS OF DEPOT WHERE TWO HUNDRED PERSONS WERE BLOWN UP ON EVACUATION OF CHARLESTON] [Illustration: RUINS OF SECESSION HALL AT CHARLESTON AFTER SURRENDER, FEBRUARY 18, 1865]