This second volume of America Sails to War covers events from 1825 through 1861 when sail gave way to steam power at the beginning of the War Between the States. Along the way it was all out war against the pirates in the West Indies; and in the Mediterranean it was showing the flag lest the Barbary powers again pose a threat to American shipping. In the Pacific it was insuring the stability of the new republics in South America while protecting our commercial interests caught up in the revolutions. In the East Indies and the China Sea it was supporting the merchant fleets in their competition with other nations for commercial trade. The Navy also played a pivotal role in refining international navigational charts and aides, and in treaty negotiations and scientific explorations; and the main challenge of the period was the combined operations on both coasts during the War with Mexico. Establishing a naval academy and setting higher officer standards ran parallel with reorganization of the Navy Department.