What was the number of Union warships when the US Civil War ended?

Answer 1

When the US Civil War began the US had only a small fleet of warships. Washington DC decided that this number had to expand for two reasons. One was the need to attempt to blockade Confederate ports and the other need was to protect Union cargo ships from Confederate cruisers. Each goal was substantial. The Southern coastline stretching from the eastern Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico was about 3,000 miles long. Besides the well known major Southern ports, the vast amount of coastline was filled with areas where blockade running ships could load and unload cargo for the South. There was also a need for the Union to build warships to command the vast river network within the South's territory. Cargo ships carrying much needed military and civilian supplies had to be also protected from Confederate war cruisers.