ðeɪ wɜːɹ ɪntˈɛndᵻd, təɡˌɛðɚ wɪð ˈʌðɚ wˈɔːɹʃɪps, tə bɹˈeɪk ðə fˈɛdɚɹəl blɑːkˈeɪd ʌv kənfˈɛdɚɹət kˈoʊstəl sˈɪɾiz ænd tə hˈoʊld sˌʌm nˈɔːɹðɚn sˈɪɾiz fɔːɹ ɹˈænsəm.
They were intended, together with other warships, to break the Federal blockade of Confederate coastal cities and to hold some Northern cities for ransom.