Today is the second day of the historic Battle of Hampton Roads. On this date, in 1862, the C. S. S. Virginia (usually called by its original name of "Merrimack") returned to the scene of her great triumphs. Though the Cumberland and the Congress were gone and the Minnesota was still grounded, a new player had entered the field of battle, the U. S. S. Monitor.
The U. S. S. Monitor, the brainchild of inventor John Ericsson, was the world's first "true" ironclad. While the Virginia had iron-plating, the Confederacy had simply tacked them onto the frame of the Merrimack. The Monitor was the first of its kind. And there she sat, seeking to protect her sister ship by staring down the Virginia.
The monumental battle of the 19th century began around dawn and both sides moved in close and the Virginia opened fire first. However, both ships were soon pouring round after round into their opponent, but to no avail. After hours of denting each other’s iron-plating and numerous near collisions, the Virginia withdrew first, seeing that her main objective, the Minnesota, was now out of range due to the tide. While the Monitor withdrew also after a shot from the Virginia struck her pilot house, damaging the eyes of her Captain.
While both sides would claim victory, nothing was really gained. Though I do consider this naval battle to be the most significant in all of history. Because, from the moment the "Monitor" and the "Merrimack" met, every other navy in the world instantly became obsolete.
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