March 9, 1862---The MONITOR and the MERRIMACK

MARCH 9, 1862: 

The Battle of Hampton Roads. The famed sea “Battle Between the MONITOR and the MERRIMACK” or, more properly, the U.S.S. MONITOR and the C.S.S. VIRGINIA, was the first contest between two ironclad vessels.

It was not, as some histories have it, the first appearance of ironclads, nor even the first appearance of ironclads in the Civil War; “Pook’s Turtles” had been operating for months along the Mississippi River. However, it was the first duel between ironclads and the first appearance of the revolutionary MONITOR. 

The C.S.S. VIRGINIA, rebuilt from the remains of the U.S.S. NERRIMACK resembled a large “Pook’s Turtle.” It was slow-moving and sluggish to maneuver. However, on March 8, in the course of trying to break the Union blockade of Hampton Roads, it had made short work of the conventional capital ships U.S.S CONGRESS, U.S.S. CUMBERLAND, and U.S.S. MINNESOTA.

When the VIRGINIA returned to the roadstead the next day it was searching for more victims what it met was the MONITOR. The MONITOR had a low freeboard with a revolving turret, and was much faster and more maneuverable than the VIRGINIA. Thus, while VIRGINIA pelted the MONITOR (scoring some hits which dented the armor), the MONITOR buzzed around the VIRGINIA, replying in kind. Neither ship inflicted serious damage upon the other. After about four hours the two ships drew off.

Although the battle was inconclusive in itself, the Union was able to maintain its blockade of Hampton Roads. Further, the C.S.S. VIRGINIA returned to port for repairs and never sailed again, while the MONITOR not only sailed again but became the prototype of a new class of warships (“Monitors”). 

As soon as news of the historic engagement reached Europe, the European Powers ceased building wooden-hulled ships and began to build only ironclads.