The Charleston harbor blockade by Union Navy started in 1861 and was ended 1865.

There were multiple blockade runners attempting to move goods through the harbor over the length of the US Civil War. In addition both sides introduced iron clad war ships, the Confederate Navy also had the first submarines that sank ships in battle.

The Charleston military cemetery at the old Umbra Plantation became the grave yard for the Confederate States Navy, a section included to bury any unknown sailors.