Ironclad Ships of the Civil War – USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia

CSS Virginia & USS Monitor Battle of the Ironclads

Ironclad Ships – Civil war era 1862 USS Monitor and the Confederate Armies USS Virginia are dueling it out right in the store!

Originally these two met on March 9th 1862 in the Battle of Hampton Roads, the first ever battle of the such ironclads, Despite a feirce battle and multiple dead hits (many point-blank) from each vessel, the two were unable to do much damage to one another.

Ericsson’s USS Monitor, a 1,000 ton 179 foot Ironclad, lived a short life, On December 31st 1862, off the Cape of Hatteras while under tow, she slipped beneath sea, amid high waves in a storm.
(Later partially salvaged in 1973)

The CSS Virginia, 4,000 ton 275 foot Ironclad, started life out as the USS Merrimack.
Originally scuttled by the Union army to prevent her falling into the arms of the Confederacy  she was set ablaze but sank into shallow water of what is now Portsmouth, Virginia.

Salvaged, surveyed and upon realizing her lower hull and machinery were undamaged, she was chosen to be converted into an ironclad by Secretary of the Navy, Stephen Mallory.

Unable to proceed up the James River, a vain attempt to raise the the USS Virginia’s 22 foot draft was made by tossing coal, equipment and provisions overboard, the reluctant decision by her new Captain Josiah Tattnall was made to destroy her so as to prevent her original owners from laying claim to her once again.

 Civil War Ironclad Ships battle it out HERE