See the link below, to my rather outdated (but still quite applicable) article, RESEARCH GUIDE: CIVIL WAR NAVIES. This also applies to the Confederate States Navy, and, although I had intended to do up an article on it, as well, other major diversions, through the years, have prevented me from doing so.
I am only an avid student of the subject, and certainly no expert, but there is so much of interest out there that it keeps me constantly on my toes, and I certainly love it!!!!