Boys in Blue Water: The Monitor and the Virginia Battle it Out!

The deck of the Monitor's replica

It was March 8, 1862, and the Confederate ironclad CSS Virginia sailed into the James river to battle with five major Union ships. The Virgina, formally the Merrimac, was at first gutted, old remains of a wooden ship in the Confederates' navy, and they decided to build an ironclad out of it. First, they made a wooden frame; then they built iron plating around it and added ten cannons and a smokestack. The first ironclad in the world was built. Many described it as,"A roof of a barn with a chimney pouring out smoke."

Now, as she cruised straight for the Cumberland, the Cumberland opened fire. But, to their surprise, the cannonballs bounced off the Virginia. Now it was the Virginia's turn. Outgunned as she was, she blew up many guns and killed many crew. At last, the Cumberland sank, and as she did crew still manned the guns. Having finished off the Cumberland, she headed toward a frigate, the Congress. After a while, the Congress, with several major fires, surrendered. Then another ship, the Minnesota, ran aground. By then, it was getting dark and the tide was receding, so the Virginia, being heavy on the draft, retired for the night. But all was not lost.

The Union was working on another ironclad; the Monitor. Built pretty much like the Virginia, it was dubbed,"The cheese box on a raft," and she was ready to take on the Virginia; and protect the Minnesota. When she arrived, many crews were doubtful it could save them, because it was so small and with less men than the Virginia.

A model of the Monitor's single turret

The battle began on March 9, 1862. It was the most important sea battle in the civil war. Early on, the Virginia ran aground, but shoved off. During the battle, the Monitor's captain was blinded and he passed command to Lieutenant Greene, who was only in command for that day. The Monitor's turret was revolving around and firing at the Virginia. Both vessels were dented and smoking by the time it was over. The battle was a draw.

A model of the Monitor underwater

Later on in the war, the Virginia was scuttled by her crew in order to avoid capture. As for the Monitor, she was rounding "The graveyard of the Atlantic," Cape Hatteras, she encountered heavy storms and sank; with four officers and twelve crewmen going down with her. The survivors eventually reached the Monitor's escort: the Rhode Island. Nearly two hundred years later, the Monitor's turret and two cannons were salvaged. You can see them in south Virginia's Mariner's Museum, today!