Legendary first
duel between
ironclads.
Date: 9 March,
1862 (during the
American Civil War)
Place:
Hampton Roads,
VA
Participants: The
C.S.S. Virginia (aka the
C.S.S. Merrimack) vs. the
U.S.S. Monitor
The
C.S.S. Virginia, upon wreaking havoc on the
Union blockade on the Elizabeth
river near
Hampton Roads - sinking the
Union's Cumberland and damaging the
Congress, was confronted by the
U.S.S. Monitor.
Both
ironclads showcased innovative
designs, the
Merrimack a floating
tank with
cannon fixed on all sides; the
Monitor almost completely
submerged, with two cannon on a
rotating turret. They
pounded at one another throughout the
day, but neither
ship could significantly
damage the other. However, the
battle signified
the end of
wooden warships - lumbering
frigates were now
obsolete and the
battleship was born.
The Virginia
Weight/length: two different
stats recorded: 3,200
tons, 275
ft.; and 4,500 tons, 300 ft.
Firepower: Six 9-inch
smoothbores and four
rifled guns of 6- and 7-inch
caliber.
Engines/Movement:
Horizontal, back acting; two
cylinders, 72 inches in diameter, 3 ft. stroke. It took 30
minutes to do a
360 degree turn.
Crew: 160
navy, 28
marines
Armor: 4 inches of iron over 22 inches of
oak - a wooden
skeleton.
The Monitor
Weight/length: 1,200
tons, 172
ft.
Firepower: Two 11-inch
smoothbores in a
revolving, 140-ton
turret (powered by a separate
steam engine) capable of a
360 degree turn.
Engines/Movement: Double
trunk,
cylinders (2 in 1
casting); 36 inches in
diameter, 27 inch
stroke. Significantly more
maneuverable than its
Confederate counterpart.
Crew: Aproximately 60-70
crewman
Armor: The turret was armored with
eight inches of
iron; the
roof was protected by
railroad iron; the
deck was covered with two inches of iron; the sides (
submerged) with five inches of iron.