The Battle of Hampton Roads, often called the Battle of Monitor and Merrimack, was a naval battle of the American Civil War, famous for being the first fight between two steam powered iron-covered warships, or "ironclads", the USS Monitor, an entirely new design, and the CSS Virginia (which had been rebuilt from the burned-out hull of the USS Merrimack). The principal confrontations took place on March 8 and March 9, 1862, off Sewell's Point, a narrow place near the mouth of Hampton Roads, Virginia. Combatants United States of America (Union) Confederate States of America (Confederacy) Commanders Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee Strength 2,200,000 1,064,000 Casualties 110,000 killed in action, 360,000 total dead, 275,200 wounded 93,000 killed in action, 258,000 total... Battle between the Monitor and Merrimac--fought March 9th 1862 at Hampton Roads, near Norfolk, Va. ... is the 67th day of the year (68th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1862 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... March 9 is the 68th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (69th in leap years). ... 1862 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Hampton Roads, Virginia 1858 Sewells Point is a peninsula of land in the independent city of Norfolk, Virginia in the United States, located at the mouth of the salt-water port of Hampton Roads. ... This view from space in July 1996 shows portions of each of the Seven Cities of Hampton Roads which generally surround the harbor area of Hampton Roads, which framed by the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel visible to the east (right), the Virginia Peninsula subregion to the north (top), and the... This article contains a trivia section. ... Motto Deo Vindice (Latin: Under God, Our Vindicator) Anthem (none official) God Save the South (unofficial) The Bonnie Blue Flag (unofficial) Dixie (unofficial) Capital Montgomery, Alabama (until May 29, 1861) Richmond, Virginia (May 29, 1861–April 2, 1865) Danville, Virginia (from April 3, 1865) Language(s) English (de facto) Religion... John Lorimer Worden (12 March 1818 - 19 October 1897) was a U.S. Admiral who served in the American Civil War. ... Franklin Buchanan Franklin Buchanan (September 13, 1800—May 11, 1874) was an officer in the U.S. Navy who became an admiral in the Confederate Navy during the American Civil War. ... Catesby ap Roger Jones (April 15, 1821 - June 20, 1877) was an officer in the U.S. Navy who became a commander in the Confederate Navy during the American Civil War. ... McClellan and Johnston of the Peninsula Campaign The Peninsula Campaign (also known as the Peninsular Campaign) of the American Civil War was a major Union operation launched in southeastern Virginia from March through July 1862, the first large-scale offensive in the Eastern Theater. ... Combatants United States of America Confederate States of America Commanders George B. McClellan John B. Magruder Joseph E. Johnston Strength 146,000 11,000 Casualties 182 300 The Battle of Yorktown was fought from April 5 to May 4, 1862, as part of the Peninsula Campaign of the American Civil... The Battle of Williamsburg, also known as the Battle of Fort Magruder, took place on May 5, 1862 in York County and Williamsburg, Virginia as part of the Peninsula Campaign of the American Civil War. ... Battle of Elthams Landing Conflict American Civil War Date May 7, 1862 Place New Kent County, Virginia Result Inconclusive The Battle of Eltham’s Landing, also known as the Battle of Barhamsville, or West Point, took place on May 7, 1862 in New Kent County, Virginia as part... The Battle of Drewry’s Bluff, also known as the Battle of Fort Darling or Fort Drewry, took place on May 15, 1862 in Chesterfield County, Virginia as part of the Peninsula Campaign of the American Civil War. ... Combatants United States of America Confederate States of America Commanders Fitz John Porter Lawrence OBryan Branch Strength 12,000[1] 4,000[1] Casualties 355–397 930 The Battle of Hanover Court House, also known as the Battle of Slash Church, took place on May 27, 1862, in Hanover... Combatants United States of America Confederate States of America Commanders George B. McClellan Joseph E. Johnston G. W. Smith Strength 41,797 41,816 Casualties 5,031 (790 killed, 3,594 wounded, 647 captured/missing) 6,134 (980 killed, 4,749 wounded, 405 captured/missing) The Battle of Seven Pines... Combatants United States of America Confederate States of America Commanders George B. McClellan Robert E. Lee Strength Army of the Potomac; 105,445 Army of Northern Virginia; 90,500 Casualties 1,734 killed 8,062 wounded 6,053 missing/captured 3,286 killed 15,009 wounded 946 missing/captured Peninsula... Combatants United States of America Confederate States of America Commanders George B. McClellan Robert E. Lee Strength Corps Corps Casualties 516 541 The Battle of Oak Grove, also known as the Battle of French’s Field or King’s School House, took place on June 25, 1862 in Henrico County... Battle of Beaver Dam Creek Conflict American Civil War Date June 26, 1862 Place Hanover County, Virginia Result Union victory The Battle of Beaver Dam Creek, also known as the Battle of Mechanicsville or Ellerson’s Mill, took place on June 26, 1862 in Hanover County, Virginia as part... Battle of Gaines Mill Conflict American Civil War Date June 27, 1862 Place Hanover County, Virginia Result Confederate victory The Battle of Gaines Mill, also known as the First Battle of Cold Harbor or the Battle of Chickahominy River, took place on June 27, 1862, in Hanover County, Virginia, as... Battle of Garnetts & Goldings Farm Conflict American Civil War Date June 27-28, 1862 Place Henrico County, Virginia Result Inconclusive The Battle of Garnetts & Goldings Farms took place from June 27-28, 1862 in Henrico County, Virginia as part of the Peninsula Campaign of the American... Battle of Savages Station Conflict American Civil War Date June 29, 1862 Place Henrico County, Virginia Result Inconclusive The Battle of Savage’s Station took place on June 29, 1862 in Henrico County, Virginia as part of the Peninsula Campaign of the American Civil War. ... Battle of White Oak Swamp Conflict American Civil War Date June 30, 1862 Place Henrico County, Virginia Result Inconclusive The Battle of White Oak Swamp took place on June 30, 1862 in Henrico County, Virginia as part of the Peninsula Campaign of the American Civil War. ... Battle of Glendale Conflict American Civil War Date June 30, 1862 Place Henrico County, Virginia Result Inconclusive (Union withdrawal continued. ... Battle of Malvern Hill Conflict American Civil War Date July 1, 1862 Place Henrico County, Virginia Result Union victory The Battle of Malvern Hill, also known as the Battle of Poindexter’s Farm, took place on July 1, 1862 in Henrico County, Virginia as part of the Peninsula Campaign... The French battleship Orient burns, 1 August 1798, during the Battle of the Nile A naval battle is a battle fought using ships or other waterborne vessels. ... Combatants United States of America (Union) Confederate States of America (Confederacy) Commanders Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee Strength 2,200,000 1,064,000 Casualties 110,000 killed in action, 360,000 total dead, 275,200 wounded 93,000 killed in action, 258,000 total... Ironclad warships, frequently shortened to just ironclads, were ships sheathed with thick iron plates for protection. ... USS Monitor was the first ironclad warship commissioned by the United States Navy. ... CSS Virginia was an ironclad warship of the Confederate States Navy during the American Civil War (built using the remains of the scuttled USS Merrimack). ... USS Merrimack was a screw frigate of the United States Navy, best known as the hulk upon which CSS Virginia was built during the American Civil War and then took part in the Battle of Hampton Roads (often called the Battle of the Monitor and the Merrimack). Merrimack was launched... is the 67th day of the year (68th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... March 9 is the 68th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (69th in leap years). ... 1862 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Hampton Roads, Virginia 1858 Sewells Point is a peninsula of land in the independent city of Norfolk, Virginia in the United States, located at the mouth of the salt-water port of Hampton Roads. ... This view from space in July 1996 shows portions of each of the Seven Cities of Hampton Roads which generally surround the harbor area of Hampton Roads, which framed by the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel visible to the east (right), the Virginia Peninsula subregion to the north (top), and the... This article contains a trivia section. ...

The naval battle lasted two days. The first day was the debut of Virginia and was fought without Monitor. Havoc was wreaked upon the wooden Union ships, and the day ended with the Confederate side at a decided advantage. However, on the second day Monitor arrived and initiated the famous action known as the duel of the ironclads. Although the battle was inconclusive, it is significant in naval history. Prior to then, nearly all warships were made primarily of wood. After the battle, design of ships and naval warfare changed dramatically, as nations around the world raced to convert their fleets to iron since they had shown themselves to be clearly superior to wooden ships in their ability to withstand enemy fire. Trunks A tree trunk as found at the Veluwe, The Netherlands Wood is a solid material derived from woody plants, notably trees but also shrubs. ... Naval warfare is combat in and on seas and oceans. ...

Lincoln attempts blockade at Hampton Roads

From the outset of the Civil War, United States President Abraham Lincoln implemented a plan to bring the Confederate states back into the Union. He would use the larger and more powerful Union Navy to cut the Confederacy off from the rest of the world by blockading the Confederacy's coastline on the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, and controlling the Mississippi River Valley with gunboats. Lincoln ordered the blockade as hostilities escalated. The presidential seal is a well-known symbol of the presidency. ... For other uses, see Abraham Lincoln (disambiguation). ... Motto Deo Vindice (Latin: Under God, Our Vindicator) Anthem (none official) God Save the South (unofficial) The Bonnie Blue Flag (unofficial) Dixie (unofficial) Capital Montgomery, Alabama (until May 29, 1861) Richmond, Virginia (May 29, 1861–April 2, 1865) Danville, Virginia (from April 3, 1865) Language(s) English (de facto) Religion... In this map:  Union states prohibiting slavery  Union territories  Border states on the Union side which allowed slavery  Kansas, which entered and fought with the Union as a free state after the Bleeding Kansas crisis  The Confederacy  Confederate claimed and sometimes held territories During the American Civil War, the Union... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... 1861 Cartoon map of the blockade // The Union Blockade refers to the naval actions between 1861 and 1865, during the American Civil War, in which the Union Navy maintained a massive effort on the Atlantic and Gulf Coast of the Confederate States of America designed to prevent the passage of... Gulf of Mexico in 3D perspective. ... For the river in Canada, see Mississippi River (Ontario). ...

Burning of the frigate Merrimack and the Norfolk navy-yard

In the spring of 1861, land-based Confederate forces were able to seize Norfolk, Virginia, and the surrounding area on the south side of Hampton Roads. Bluffed into a bloodless retreat by southern efforts headed by railroad president William Mahone, the Union Navy burned and evacuated the Gosport Shipyard, located in Portsmouth, across the Elizabeth River from Norfolk, destroying nine ships in the process, including the Boston-built frigate USS Merrimack. However, in the haste and confusion, Merrimack was only burned to the waterline. Burning of the frigate Merrimac and the Norfolk navy-yard. ... Burning of the frigate Merrimac and the Norfolk navy-yard. ... Motto: Crescas (Latin for, Thou shalt grow. ... William Mahone (December 1, 1826 – October 8, 1895), of Southampton County, Virginia, was a civil engineer, teacher, soldier, railroad executive, and a member of the Virginia General Assembly and U.S. Congress. ... Aerial View of the Norfolk Naval Shipyard The Norfolk Naval Shipyard, often called the Norfolk Navy Yard, is a U.S. Navy facility in Portsmouth, Virginia, for building, remodeling, and repairing the Navys ships. ... Map Political Statistics Founded 1752 County Independent city Mayor Dr. James W. Holley III Geographic Statistics Area  - Total  - Land  - Water 120. ... The Elizabeth River is a short tidal estuary forming an arm of Hampton Roads at the southern end of Chesapeake Bay in southeast Virginia in the United States. ... Nickname: Location in Massachusetts, USA Coordinates: , Country United States State Massachusetts County Suffolk County Settled 1630 Incorporated (city) 1822 Government  - Governor Deval Patrick (D) Area  - City  89. ... For the bird, see Frigatebird. ... USS Merrimack was a screw frigate of the United States Navy, best known as the hulk upon which CSS Virginia was built during the American Civil War and then took part in the Battle of Hampton Roads (often called the Battle of the Monitor and the Merrimack). Merrimack was launched...

The evacuation left only Fort Monroe at Old Point Comfort on the Virginia Peninsula on the north side of Hampton Roads (across from Sewell's Point at the mouth) under Union control in Tidewater, Virginia. The channel ran close to the northern side, however, and Fort Monroe on the mainland was supplemented by an armed installation immediately south of the channel on a man-made island (later called Fort Wool). Satellite Photo of Fort Monroe Fort Monroe, Virginia (also known as Fortress Monroe) is a military installation located at Old Point Comfort on the tip of the Virginia Peninsula at the mouth of Hampton Roads on the Chesapeake Bay in eastern Virginia in the United States. ... Old Point Comfort is a point of land located in the independent city of Hampton at the extreme tip of the Virginia Peninsula at the mouth of Hampton Roads in the United States. ... The Virginia Peninsula is a peninsula in southeast Virginia, bounded by the York River, James River, Hampton Roads and Chesapeake Bay. ... Hampton Roads, Virginia 1858 Sewells Point is a peninsula of land in the independent city of Norfolk, Virginia in the United States, located at the mouth of the salt-water port of Hampton Roads. ... The Tidewater region of Virginia is the southeastern portion of the Commonwealth of Virginia, centered on Hampton Roads. ... Fort Wool (originally named Fort Calhoun) was the companion to Fort Monroe in protecting Hampton Roads. ...

Occupation of Norfolk gave the Confederacy its only major shipyard and thousands of heavy guns. CS Brigadier General Walter Gwynn, who commanded the Confederate defenses around Norfolk, erected batteries at Sewell's Point, both to protect Norfolk and to control Hampton Roads. Walter Gwynn (1802-1882) was an American civil engineer and soldier. ...

The Union dispatched a fleet of wooden warships to Hampton Roads to enforce the blockade. Fort Wool and Fort Monroe combined to secure access from Hampton Roads to both the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. However, the waters inland on the James and Elizabeth Rivers were controlled by the Confederate States Navy, which was also using wooden warships. Despite some skirmishes, neither navy was able to overcome the other. The impasse continued through the remainder of 1861, and into early 1862. The James River at Cartersville The James River in the U.S. state of Virginia is 547. ... The Elizabeth River is a short tidal estuary forming an arm of Hampton Roads at the southern end of Chesapeake Bay in southeast Virginia in the United States. ... Navy Department Seal The Confederate States Navy (CSN) was the naval branch of the Confederate States armed forces established by an act of the Confederate Congress on February 21, 1861 responsible for Confederate naval operations during the American Civil War. ...

Ironclad warships: a new technology

Ironclads were warships sheathed with thick iron plates for protection. The first recorded uses of iron for protection had occurred in the Far East in the 16th century. (Korea's Admiral Yi Sun-sin built one in 1592). The world's first ocean-going iron-hulled armoured battleship, the French La Gloire, had been recently constructed. However, the use of iron to provide armor on traditional wooden sailing ships was still a developing technology in North America at the outset of the Civil War. For pre-modern armoured ships, see Pre-industrial armoured ships. ... General Name, Symbol, Number iron, Fe, 26 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 8, 4, d Appearance lustrous metallic with a grayish tinge Standard atomic weight 55. ... The far east as a cultural block includes East Asia, Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia and South Asia. ... Korea (Korean: 한국 in South Korea or ì¡°ì„  in North Korea, see below) is a geographic area, civilization, and former state situated on the Korean Peninsula in East Asia. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The French Navys La Gloire (Glory) was the first ocean-going ironclad warship in history. ...

In early 1862, the Union and Confederate governments were each aware that some type of ironclad fighting vessel was under development by the other. Spies had reported some of the details. Each side was anxious to take advantage of the new technology and fearful of what the other might accomplish.

The first Union and Confederate ironclads were very odd-looking in comparison with contemporary warships and also very different from each other. Neither had been completed to the full satisfaction of their respective designers when they sailed into history at Hampton Roads.

CSS Virginia

CSS Virginia (also misnamed as the CSS "Merrimac")

USS Monitor

During the Union Navy's hurried evacuation of the Gosport Shipyard at Portsmouth, Virginia in June of 1861, by burning USS Merrimack only to the waterline, they inadvertently provided the basis for the new Confederate ironclad. The shipyard, under Confederate control, rebuilt it with ironclad plating and a reduced superstructure from her old burned out hull. She was commissioned as CSS Virginia on February 17, 1862. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Halftone reproduction of art of the USS Monitor at sea. ... Halftone reproduction of art of the USS Monitor at sea. ... Aerial View of the Norfolk Naval Shipyard The Norfolk Naval Shipyard, often called the Norfolk Navy Yard, is a U.S. Navy facility in Portsmouth, Virginia, for building, remodeling, and repairing the Navys ships. ... February 17 is the 48th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1862 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ...

Feeling that iron armor would make cannon fire ineffective against ships, the designer of Virginia had her equipped with a ram, a weapon normally associated with ancient galleys and not then used in contemporary warships. USS General Price, a Union ram and gunboat, near Baton Rouge, LA, 18 January 1864 A ram was a naval ship class in the 1860s. ... A French galley and Dutch men-of-war off a port by Abraham Willaerts, painted 17th century. ...

Despite an all-out effort to complete her, Virginia still had workmen on board when she sailed and was rushed into service without the customary sea trials or under-way training. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

For more details on this topic, see CSS Virginia.

CSS Virginia was an ironclad warship of the Confederate States Navy during the American Civil War (built using the remains of the scuttled USS Merrimack). ...

USS Monitor

The USS Monitor was of a totally new design and a favored project of President Lincoln. The unique design engineered by John Ericsson featured an innovative rotating gun turret that housed two 11 inch (280 mm) Dahlgren smooth bore cannon. It also had a low profile in the water, and only a small part of the deck and the gun turret were visible to the enemy. Monitor's hull was constructed at the Continental Iron Works in the Greenpoint section of Brooklyn, New York, and the ship was launched there on January 30, 1862. Her armor had to be reduced from the original design to improve freeboard, but even with the reduced armor her total freeboard was only 14 inches (35 cm). John Ericsson (1803-1889) This article is about John Ericsson, the Swedish and American inventor. ... The Dahlgren gun was a type of smoothbore cannon used by the US Navy prior to and during the Civil War. ... Landmark 19th-century rowhouses on tree-lined street in the Greenpoint Historic District Greenpoint is the northernmost neighborhood in the New York City borough of Brooklyn. ... For other meanings, see Brooklyn (disambiguation). ... January 30 is the 30th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1862 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Freebord model X-80, bottom side Freebords are a recent modification of the skateboard. ...

Monitor was one of the most innovative naval vessels of all time. Parts were forged in nine foundries and brought together to build the ship. The entire process took less than 120 days.

Despite the rapid construction, Lincoln was greatly frustrated that Monitor's delivery from the builder was late. It was rushed to Hampton Roads, arriving later on the very day that its Confederate counterpart had made a stunning debut at the expense of the Union Navy.

For more details on this topic, see USS Monitor.

USS Monitor was the first ironclad warship commissioned by the United States Navy. ...

First clash between ironclads

Map of events of the Battle of Hampton Roads.

Download high resolution version (939x934, 396 KB)Map of Hampton Roads and Vicinity. ... Download high resolution version (939x934, 396 KB)Map of Hampton Roads and Vicinity. ...

Virginia wreaks havoc on wooden Union warships

The battle began when the large and somewhat unwieldy CSS Virginia of the Confederate States Navy steamed into Hampton Roads on the morning of March 8, 1862, and set to work attempting to break the Union blockade. is the 67th day of the year (68th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1862 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ...

Virginia, commanded by Captain Franklin Buchanan, was supported by Raleigh and Beaufort, and accompanied by Patrick Henry, Jamestown, and Teaser. Franklin Buchanan Franklin Buchanan (September 13, 1800—May 11, 1874) was an officer in the U.S. Navy who became an admiral in the Confederate Navy during the American Civil War. ... For other ships named Raleigh, see CSS Raleigh CSS Raleigh was originally a small, iron-hulled, propeller-driven towing steamer operating on the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal. ... CSS Beaufort, an armed tugboat, was built at Wilmington, Delaware in 1854 as Caledonia. ... CSS Patrick Henry was built in New York City in 1853 by the renowned William H. Webb for the Old Dominion Steam Ship Line as the civilian steamer Yorktown, a brigantine-rigged side-wheel steamer. ... CSS Jamestown, originally a passenger steamer, was built at New York City in 1853, and seized at Richmond, Virginia in 1861 for the Commonwealth of Virginia Navy. ... For other ships named Teaser, see USS Teaser CSS Teaser had been the aging Georgetown, D.C. tugboat York River until the beginning of the U.S. Civil War, when she was taken into the Confederate States Navy. ...

The sinking of Cumberland by the iron-clad Virginia.

Virginia headed directly for the Union squadron. She opened the engagement when less than a mile distant from USS Cumberland and the firing became general from blockaders and shore batteries. Virginia rammed Cumberland below the waterline and she sank rapidly, "gallantly fighting her guns," Buchanan reported in tribute to a brave foe, "as long as they were above water". TITLE: The sinking of the Cumberland by the iron clad Merrimac, off Newport News Va. ... TITLE: The sinking of the Cumberland by the iron clad Merrimac, off Newport News Va. ... The first USS Cumberland was a 50-gun sailing frigate of the United States Navy. ...

Buchanan next turned the Virginia on USS Congress. Seeing what had happened to Cumberland, the captain of Congress ordered his ship grounded in shallow water. By this time, the James River Squadron, commanded by John Randolph Tucker, had arrived and joined the Virginia in its attack on the Congress. This lasted for an hour, after which the badly-damaged Congress surrendered. While the surviving crewmen of Congress were being ferried off the ship, a Union battery on the north shore opened fire on Virginia. In retaliation, the captain of the Virginia ordered Congress fired upon with red-hot shot and incendiary shell. Congress later exploded when fires caused by the rebel ironclad caused her magazine to explode. The Virginia was also damaged. Shots from Cumberland, Congress, and Union troops had riddled her smokestack, reducing her already low speed. Two of her guns were disabled and several armor plates had been loosened. The fourth USS Congress of the United States Navy was a sailing frigate like her predecessor, surviving into the American Civil War, where she was destroyed by the ironclad CSS Virginia. ... The James River Squadron was formed shortly after the secession of the State of Virginia as part of the Virginia State Navy. ... There were several famous men named John Randolph Tucker: John Randolph Tucker (1813-1883) was a commander in the United States Navy, a captain in the Confederate States Navy, and a rear admiral in the Peruvian Navy. ...

Meanwhile, the James River Squadron had turned its attention to USS Minnesota which had left Fort Monroe to join in the battle and had run aground. After Virginia had dealt with the surrender of Congress, it joined the James River Squadron despite its damage. Because of her deep draft, Virginia was unable to get close enough to do significant damage, and as the fight wore on, darkness prevented the rest of the squadron from aiming their guns to any effect. Virginia left with the expectation of returning the next day and completing the destruction of the Union fleet. She retreated into the safety of Confederate-controlled waters for the night. The James River Squadron was formed shortly after the secession of the State of Virginia as part of the Virginia State Navy. ... USS Minnesota, a sailing/steam frigate, was launched in 1855 at the Washington Navy Yard and commissioned eighteen months later. ... Satellite Photo of Fort Monroe Fort Monroe, Virginia (also known as Fortress Monroe) is a military installation located at Old Point Comfort on the tip of the Virginia Peninsula at the mouth of Hampton Roads on the Chesapeake Bay in eastern Virginia in the United States. ...

The day was Virginia's, but it was not without loss. Part of her ram had wrenched off and was left embedded in the side of the stricken Cumberland. While Virginia was firing on the shore battery, Captain Buchanan's thigh bone was broken by a musket ball. This necessitated turning over command to Lieutenant Catesby R. Jones. Buchanan's leg was subsequently amputated. Catesby ap Roger Jones (April 15, 1821 - June 20, 1877) was an officer in the U.S. Navy who became a commander in the Confederate Navy during the American Civil War. ...

Confederate Secretary of the Navy Stephen Mallory wrote to Confederate President Davis of the action: Stephen Russell Mallory (c. ... Jefferson Finis Davis (June 3, 1808 – December 6, 1889) was an American politician who served as President of the Confederate States of America for its entire history from 1861 to 1865 during the American Civil War. ...

"The conduct of the Officers and men of the squadron … reflects unfading honor upon themselves and upon the Navy. The report will be read with deep interest, and its details will not fail to rouse the ardor and nerve the arms of our gallant seamen. It will be remembered that the Virginia was a novelty in naval architecture, wholly unlike any ship that ever floated; that her heaviest guns were equal novelties in ordnance; that her motive power and obedience to her helm were untried, and her officers and crew strangers, comparatively, to the ship and to each other; and yet, under all these disadvantages, the dashing courage and consummate professional ability of Flag Officer Buchanan and his associates achieved the most remarkable victory which naval annals record."

It had been a frightening and demoralizing day for the Union Navy. Late that night, USS Monitor, commanded by Lieutenant John L. Worden, arrived in Hampton Roads. The Union ironclad had been rushed to Hampton Roads in hopes of protecting the Union fleet and preventing Virginia from threatening Union cities. USS Monitor was the first ironclad warship commissioned by the United States Navy. ... John Lorimer Worden (12 March 1818 - 19 October 1897) was a U.S. Admiral who served in the American Civil War. ...

"Upon the untried endurances of the new USS Monitor and her timely arrival," observed Union Captain John A. Dahlgren, "did depend the tide of events." Rear Admiral John Adolph Dahlgren, USN, (1809-1870), son of the Swedish Consul in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, made his career in the United States Navy. ...

Monitor engages Virginia

The next morning, on March 9, 1862, after undergoing repairs, Virginia returned to finish off the grounded Minnesota. The way was blocked by the newly arrived Monitor, which the commander of the rebel ship later described as "little more than a cheesebox on a raft". March 9 is the 68th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (69th in leap years). ... 1862 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... USS Monitor was the first ironclad warship commissioned by the United States Navy. ...

After fighting for hours, mostly at close range, neither could overcome the other. The smaller and nimbler Monitor had a revolving turret, and was able to outmaneuver the Virginia, but neither ship proved able to do significant damage to the other. Finally, Virginia retreated, leaving Monitor and the rest of the Union fleet in possession of the "battlefield". Both sides claimed victory. Strategically, Virginia was unable to dislodge the Union blockade, and so while the tactical battle was inconclusive, the strategic balance remained in the Union's favor.

Although the two ships both left the encounter fully functional, Monitor's guns were considerably more powerful than Virginia's and managed to crack Virginia's armor plate in several places whereas the Virginia only managed to dent the Monitor's armor. Significantly, Monitor's crew used primarily solid shot and aimed at Virginia's upper works. When he heard about this, designer Ericsson was furious, exclaiming that if the crew had used explosive shells and aimed for the waterline, they would have sunk Virginia with ease (quoted by Ken Burns in his documentary The Civil War, episode 2: A Very Bloody Affair: 1862).

Ironclads engaged in terrific combat by Currier and Ives

TITLE: Terrific combat between the Monitor 2 guns & Merrimac 11 guns: in Hampton Roads March 9th. ... TITLE: Terrific combat between the Monitor 2 guns & Merrimac 11 guns: in Hampton Roads March 9th. ... Charles R. Parsons: Central-Park, Winter: The Skating Pond Published by Currier & Ives, 1862 Museum of the City of New York, Harry T. Peters Collection Currier and Ives was a firm headed by Nathaniel Currier (1813-1888) and James Merritt Ives (1824-1895). ...

Spring 1862 — A Standoff at Hampton Roads

During the next two months, Virginia made several sorties to Hampton Roads hoping to draw Monitor into battle. Most days Virginia would slowly steam down the Elizabeth River to the Confederate forts on Craney Island or Sewell's Point. Across Hampton Roads, Monitor and a vast number of Union ships waited for the Confederate ship to venture down towards Fort Monroe.

The Union plan was to engage Virginia in waters of their own choosing. Monitor was under presidential orders not to enter a fight unless it was absolutely unavoidable. The Union Navy Department had leased several large steamers for the express purpose of running Virginia down. The plan was to wait for the Confederate ship to venture into deep water and the large steamers would attempt to run up on Virginia's submerged deck ends and hopefully sink the ship.

Virginia did venture into Hampton Roads on two occasions and attempted to entice Monitor out to fight, but owing to the presidential order, the challenge went unanswered.

What was probably the most anticipated naval battle of its day never materialized. USS Monitor and CSS Virginia never fought each other again.

Impact upon naval warfare

The broad impact of the battle on naval thinking was summarized by Captain Levin M. Powell of USS Potomac writing later from Vera Cruz: "The news of the fight between the Monitor and the Merrimack has created the most profound sensation amongst the professional men in the allied fleet here. They recognize the fact, as much by silence as words, that the face of naval warfare looks the other way now and the superb frigates and ships of the line … supposed capable a month ago, to destroy anything afloat in half an hour … are very much diminished in their proportions, and the confidence once reposed in them fully shaken in the presence of these astounding facts." And as Captain Dahlgren phrased it: "Now comes the reign of iron and cased sloops are to take the place of wooden ships." The first USS Potomac was a frigate in the United States Navy. ...

Fate and heritage of the two famous ironclads

Stereograph of Monitor after the battle, July 1862

After the Battle of Hampton Roads, neither ship played much of a subsequent part in the war, and neither survived 1862. The Original Monitor after her Fight with the Merrimac. ... The Original Monitor after her Fight with the Merrimac. ... Stereo card image modified for crossed eye viewing. ...

Events on land surrounding Hampton Roads forced the Confederates to abandon the Norfolk area. As the evacuation of Norfolk and Portsmouth got under way on May 10, 1862, the officers and crew of Virginia were left with few options. Commander Josiah Tattnall realized that his ship had too much draft to make it up the James River to Richmond, and there was little chance of successfully escaping out of Hampton Roads past the waiting fleet of Union warships off Fort Monroe that were surely anticipating just such a move. is the 130th day of the year (131st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1862 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Josiah Tattnall Commodore Josiah Tattnall, Jr. ...

To keep her from being captured, early on the morning of May 11, 1862, Tattnall ordered Virginia run aground at Craney Island and set afire. After burning fiercely for about an hour, the flames reached her magazine, and the ship was destroyed by a great explosion. is the 131st day of the year (132nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1862 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Craney Island is a point of land in the independent city of Portsmouth in the South Hampton Roads region of eastern Virginia in the United States. ...

More than 10 years after the end of hostilities, on May 30, 1876, the wreck of the Virginia was raised and transported back to the ship yard at Portsmouth where it was broken up. is the 150th day of the year (151st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1876 (MDCCCLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ...

Portions of the Virginia, including her armor, anchor, and guns, have been displayed for many years at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth and the Mariners' Museum in Newport News. The anchor of the Virginia sits on the lawn in front of the Museum of the Confederacy, established in Richmond in 1890. Aerial View of the Norfolk Naval Shipyard The Norfolk Naval Shipyard, often called the Norfolk Navy Yard, is a U.S. Navy facility in Portsmouth, Virginia, for building, remodeling, and repairing the Navys ships. ... Map Political Statistics Founded 1752 County Independent city Mayor Dr. James W. Holley III Geographic Statistics Area  - Total  - Land  - Water 120. ... The Mariners Museum is located in Newport News, Virginia. ... Location in the State of Virginia Coordinates: Country United States State Virginia County Independent city Incorporated 1896 Government  - Mayor Joe Frank Area  - City  119. ... White House of the Confederacy in Richmond, Virginia, built in 1818, photo circa 1939. ... Nickname: Motto: Sic Itur Ad Astra (Thus do we reach the stars) Location in the Commonwealth of Virginia Coordinates: , Country United States State Virginia County Independent City Government  - Mayor L. Douglas Wilder (I) Area  - City 62. ...

Destruction of the rebel monster Merrimac off Craney Island, 11 May 1862 by Currier and Ives

USS Monitor became the prototype for the monitor warship type. Many more were built, including river monitors, and they played key roles in Civil War battles on the Mississippi and James rivers. However, while the design proved exceptionally well-suited for river combat, the low-profile and heavy turret caused poor seaworthiness in rough waters. In December of 1862 the Monitor was ordered to Beaufort NC to assist in the Union blockade of the Carolinas. While in tow by the USS Rhode Island the ships encountered a heavy gale. The Monitor took on water and sank on New Year's Eve, December, 1862, in the Atlantic Ocean off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina in an area known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic. In 1973, the wreck was located. Image File history File links Destruction_of_Merrimac,_May_11,_1862. ... Image File history File links Destruction_of_Merrimac,_May_11,_1862. ... is the 131st day of the year (132nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1862 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Charles R. Parsons: Central-Park, Winter: The Skating Pond Published by Currier & Ives, 1862 Museum of the City of New York, Harry T. Peters Collection Currier and Ives was a firm headed by Nathaniel Currier (1813-1888) and James Merritt Ives (1824-1895). ... USS Monitor became the prototype of a form of ship built by several navies for coastal defence in the 1860s and 1870s and known as a monitor. ... River monitor was the strongest class of riverine warships. ... For the river in Canada, see Mississippi River (Ontario). ... Three ships of the United States Navy have been named USS Rhode Island in honor of the 13th state. ... An aerial view of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse prior to its 1999 relocation. ... Official language(s) English Capital Raleigh Largest city Charlotte Area  Ranked 28th  - Total 53,865 sq mi (139,509 km²)  - Width 150 miles (240 km)  - Length 560[1] miles (901 km)  - % water 9. ... Listen to this article (info) play in browser This audio file was created from an article revision dated 2005-12-10, and may not reflect subsequent edits to the article. ...

Commemorating the battle

Historical names

The name of the warship which served the Confederacy in the famous Battle of Hampton Roads has been a continuing source of confusion. Called the USS Merrimack ^[2] she was a frigate of the United States Navy which also records the Confederate ironclad's name as Virginia.^[3] The CSS/USS Merrimac^[4] was a paddle wheel steamer around the same time, the name being an abbreviation of the same river Merrimack was named after. Both spellings are still in use around the Hampton Roads area. USS Merrimack was a screw frigate of the United States Navy, best known as the hulk upon which CSS Virginia was built during the American Civil War and then took part in the Battle of Hampton Roads (often called the Battle of the Monitor and the Merrimack). Merrimack was launched... {{ USN redirects here. ... CSS Virginia was an ironclad warship of the Confederate States Navy during the American Civil War (built using the remains of the scuttled USS Merrimack). ... USS Merrimac was a sidewheel steamer in the United States Navy during the American Civil War. ... Merrimack River watershed The Merrimack River (or Merrimac River, an earlier spelling that is sometimes still used) is a -long river in the Northeastern United States. ... USS Merrimack was a screw frigate of the United States Navy, best known as the hulk upon which CSS Virginia was built during the American Civil War and then took part in the Battle of Hampton Roads (often called the Battle of the Monitor and the Merrimack). Merrimack was launched...

Confederate ironclad

The small community in Montgomery County near the location where the iron for the Confederate ironclad was forged is now known as Merrimac, Virginia. Some of the iron mined there and used in the plating on the Confederate ironclad is displayed at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth. Other pieces are on display at the Mariners' Museum in Newport News and the Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond, where the anchor has resided for many years. Montgomery County is a county located in the U.S. state — officially, Commonwealth — of Virginia. ... Merrimac is a census-designated place located in Montgomery County, Virginia. ... Aerial View of the Norfolk Naval Shipyard The Norfolk Naval Shipyard, often called the Norfolk Navy Yard, is a U.S. Navy facility in Portsmouth, Virginia, for building, remodeling, and repairing the Navys ships. ... The Mariners Museum is located in Newport News, Virginia. ... White House of the Confederacy in Richmond, Virginia, built in 1818, photo circa 1939. ...

Jamestown Exposition of 1907

The Jamestown Exposition was one of the many World's Fairs and expositions that were popular in the United States early in the 20th century. It was held from April 26 to December 1, 1907, at Sewell's Point on Hampton Roads, near Norfolk, and it commemorated the tricentennial (300th) anniversary of the founding of the Jamestown Settlement. The Jamestown Exposition was one of the many worlds fairs and expositions that were popular in the United States early part of the 20th century. ... Worlds Fair is any of various large expositions held since the mid-19th century. ... is the 116th day of the year (117th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 335th day of the year (336th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1907 (MCMVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Sketch of Jamestown c. ...

One of the more popular attractions was a re-creation of the Battle of Hampton Roads, which had taken place 45 years earlier within sight of the exposition location. The exterior of the Merrimack-Monitor Building looked somewhat like a battleship while the interior contained a large circular description of the battle.

Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel

In 1992, Virginia's Department of Transportation completed the 4.6-mile (7.4 km) Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel. This important traffic link carrying Interstate 664 crosses Hampton Roads very close to the site of the famous clash of the ironclads. It cost $400 million to build and includes a four-lane tunnel that is 4,800 feet (1,460 m) long, two man-made portal islands, and 3.2 miles (5.1 km) of twin trestle. Northbound traffic is provided an exceptional view of the location of the historic battle. Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel (MMMBT) is the 4. ... Interstate 664 (abbreviated I-664) is an interstate highway located in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia in the eastern United States. ... A disused railway tunnel now converted to pedestrian and bicycle use, near Houyet, Belgium A tunnel is an underground passage. ...

USS Monitor rediscovery and display

After resting undetected on the ocean floor for 111 years, the wreck of Monitor was located by a team of scientists in 1973. The remains of the ship were found 16 miles (26 km) off Cape Hatteras, on a relatively flat, sandy bottom at a depth of about 240 feet (73.2 m). Monitor's hull lies upside down, with her deck resting on her displaced gun turret. In 1987, the site was declared a National Historic Landmark, the first shipwreck to receive this distinction. An aerial view of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse prior to its 1999 relocation. ... This article or section needs additional references or sources to improve its verifiability. ...

Because of Monitor's advanced state of deterioration, timely recovery of remaining significant artifacts and ship components became critical. Since then, using new technologies, hundreds of fragile artifacts, including the innovative turret and its two Dahlgren guns, an anchor, steam engine, and propeller, have been recovered and were carefully transported back to Hampton Roads to the Mariners' Museum in Newport News, Virginia. For several years, they were conserved in special tanks to stabilize the metal. Corbelled corner turrets at Newark Castle, Port Glasgow. ... This view from space in July 1996 shows portions of each of the Seven Cities of Hampton Roads which generally surround the harbor area of Hampton Roads, which framed by the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel visible to the east (right), the Virginia Peninsula subregion to the north (top), and the... The Mariners Museum is located in Newport News, Virginia. ... Location in the State of Virginia Coordinates: Country United States State Virginia County Independent city Incorporated 1896 Government  - Mayor Joe Frank Area  - City  119. ...

The new U.S.S. Monitor Center at the Mariners' Museum officially opened on March 9, 2007, and a full-scale replica of the Monitor, the original recovered turret, and many artifacts and related items are now on display. Some artifacts from the C.S.S. Virginia are also on display.

Popular culture

• A 1991 TV movie, Ironclads (1991 film) depicts the battle.
• Les Bleus de la marine, an album of the Belgian bande dessinée series Les Tuniques Bleues, features a story set against the backdrop of the battle of Hampton Roads. [1]

This is a list of television-related events in 1991. ... Tintin, one of the most famous Belgian comics Franco-Belgian comics are comics or comic books written in Belgium and France. ... Les Tuniques Bleues, literally blue uniforms, refers to the Northern army during the Civil War in the U.S. This series of Bandes Dessinees (comic books in the Franco-Belgian tradition) follows two cavalrymen through a series of battles and adventures. ...

See also

Military of the United States Portal

United States Navy Portal

• The Battle of Hampton Roads, a poem featured in Vanity Fair on March 29, 1862.
• USS Monitor
• CSS Virginia
• USS Merrimack (1855)
• Peninsula Campaign
• Mariners' Museum

Image File history File links Naval_Jack_of_the_United_States. ... Image File history File links United_States_Department_of_the_Navy_Seal. ... Vanity Fair has been the title of four notable magazines: an 1859-1863 American publication, an English publication, and an unrelated American publication edited by Condé Nast, with a later revived publication. ... USS Monitor was the first ironclad warship commissioned by the United States Navy. ... CSS Virginia was an ironclad warship of the Confederate States Navy during the American Civil War (built using the remains of the scuttled USS Merrimack). ... USS Merrimack was a screw frigate of the United States Navy, best known as the hulk upon which CSS Virginia was built during the American Civil War and then took part in the Battle of Hampton Roads (often called the Battle of the Monitor and the Merrimack). Merrimack was launched... McClellan and Johnston of the Peninsula Campaign The Peninsula Campaign (also known as the Peninsular Campaign) of the American Civil War was a major Union operation launched in southeastern Virginia from March through July 1862, the first large-scale offensive in the Eastern Theater. ... The Mariners Museum is located in Newport News, Virginia. ...

References

• Burns, Ken. The Civil War.
• Hogg, I. Weapons of the Civil War.
• Milton, Keith. “Duel At Hampton Roads.” Military Heritage. December 2001. Volume 3, No. 3: 38-45, 97 (Ironclads C.S.A. Virginia (also known as Merrimack) versus the Union Monitor of the Civil War).
• This article includes text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
• This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.

This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... The Civil War was a highly popular and acclaimed PBS documentary about the American Civil War created by Sam Sim, and released on PBS in September 1990. ... Military Heritage is a glossy, bi-monthly history magazine published by Sovereign Media. ... The public domain comprises the body of all creative works and other knowledge—writing, artwork, music, science, inventions, and others—in which no person or organization has any proprietary interest. ... The Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS for short) is the primary reference work for the basic facts about every ship ever used by the United States Navy. ... Encyclopædia Britannica, the eleventh edition The Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition (1910–1911) is perhaps the most famous edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica. ... The public domain comprises the body of all creative works and other knowledge—writing, artwork, music, science, inventions, and others—in which no person or organization has any proprietary interest. ...

Notes

The Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS for short) is the primary reference work for the basic facts about every ship ever used by the United States Navy. ... The Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS for short) is the primary reference work for the basic facts about every ship ever used by the United States Navy. ... The Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS for short) is the primary reference work for the basic facts about every ship ever used by the United States Navy. ...

External links

• Library of Virginia official website
• A record of events in Norfolk County, Virginia, online text with an entire chapter on the battle.
• Virginia Historical Society official website
• Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond, VA official website
• Hampton Roads Visitor Guide
• USS Monitor Center, Newport News, Virginia
• Mariner's Museum, Newport News, Virginia
• Hampton Roads Naval Museum
• Civil War Naval History
• Fort Wool History
• Roads to the Future – I-664 Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
• USS Monitor National Historical Site
• Monitor in the news – Its 'revolutionary' gun turret has been raised from the ocean floor.
• On-line exhibition of the Monitor
• website devoted to CSS Virginia
• U.S. Navy, Craney Island Fuel Terminal, History
• Library of Congress website has a larger, more detailed, color map of the events of the battle.
• Batlle of Hampton Road website
• First Edition Report on the Battle of the Monitor and Merrimac
• Ironclads at the Internet Movie Database

The Internet Movie Database (IMDb) is an online database of information about movies, actors, television shows, production crew personnel, and video games. ...