Battle of Hampton Roads: Monitor vs. Merrimack - 09 March 1862
 |
| Monitor vs. Merrimack (really C.S.S. Virginia) |
Today is the 150th Anniversary of 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, expecting to pick-up the battle right where she left off yesterday, by first finishing-off the Minnesota. 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, and she was just itching for a fight. In fact, this was a fight that she was "born" for.
 |
| Diagram of 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 did have iron-plating, the Confederacy had simply tacked them onto the frame of the Merrimack. The Monitor was the first of its kind, for it was a ship made entirely out of iron, a new "breed" of warship if you will. And there she sat, seeking to protect her sister ship the Minnesota, by staring down the Virginia and standing between her and victory.
 |
| Monitor and Virginia battle, w/ grounded ships in background |
The monumental battle of the 19th century began around dawn with both sides moving in close and the Virginia opening fire first. However, both ships were soon pouring round after round into their opponent, but to no avail. After
hours of denting each others' 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, one Captain John L. Worden.
While both sides would claim victory, nothing was really gained. Though I do consider this naval battle to be the most significant of its kind in all of history. Because, from the moment the "Monitor" and the "Merrimack" met, every other navy in the world instantly became obsolete.
