Even understanding the status of France in that time was a bit more respected than now in the mind of the world powers, their assistance to the Confederate states in giving the ships safe harbor and supply opportunity was huge. Were there not ships being built in England that may not have been listed on the official paperwork in the shipyards as belonging to factors in the CS?

Some things never change. Heads of State may say one thing but the actions in that 'state/country/nation/burg' may go in the polar opposite direction.

Pam