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Naval History and Heritage Command

National Museum of the U.S. Navy

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Powder Monkey

This PDF booklet focuses on the boys who were as young as 10 and worked onboard vessels in battle.   These boys were known as powder boys or powder monkeys.   Subjects:   Definition of a powder monkey; notable powder monkeys in battle; U.S. Navy blockade (Anaconda Plan); activites on writing a letter to the boys; and the differences between ironclad and frigate ships. 

Click on image to download. 

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Images:   LC-DIG-stereo-1s04498:  Crewmen on frigate:   LC-USZC4-7947:  Powder Monkey on USS New Hampshire.  Both images courtesy of the Library of Congress.