The Confederate States Navy (CSN) was the navy of the Confederate States of America, established on 21 February 1861 and disestablished on 6 November 1865 following the end of the American Civil War. The CSN was founded with a strength of 30 vessels, only 14 of which were seaworthy, and the CSN was tasked with protecting the Confederacy’s harbor and coastlines from outside invasion, attacking Union shipping worldwide, and drawing off US Navy blockade ships who were pursuing Confederate commerce raiders and warships. However, the CSN was unable to serve as an effective fighting force throughout the war, as the Union retained its naval superiority throughout the war. The surrender of the CSS Shenandoah in Liverpool, England in November 1865 marked the final Confederate surrender of the war and the end of the CSN.