Confederate Surface Raider CSS Shenandoah

Early in the American Civil War, the Confederacy knew that in order to be successful they would have to cripple the North financially.  With the help of the British private citizens, they purchased a series of technologically advanced ships to be used as commerce raiders and bring the war to the North on the high seas. This successful campaign resulted in not only long-term damage to the Northern shipping industry but also advancement in public international law.