USS Monitor

Name	USS Monitor
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The USS Monitor was an ironclad warship built for the Union Navy during the American Civil War. It is most famous for its role in the Battle of Hampton Roads on March 9, 1862, where it engaged the CSS Virginia in the first meeting in combat of ironclad warships.

Design and Construction

The USS Monitor was designed by the Swedish engineer John Ericsson. The design was revolutionary, featuring a low-profile hull and a rotating gun turret. The turret housed two 11-inch Dahlgren guns, which were capable of firing 180-pound shells. The ship's design was intended to minimize its target profile and maximize its offensive capabilities.

Construction of the Monitor began in October 1861 at the Continental Iron Works in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. The ship was launched on January 30, 1862, and commissioned on February 25, 1862. The Monitor's construction was a response to the Confederate ironclad CSS Virginia, which threatened Union naval supremacy.

Battle of Hampton Roads

The Monitor's most famous engagement was the Battle of Hampton Roads, which took place on March 8-9, 1862. On the first day of the battle, the CSS Virginia attacked the Union blockade, sinking the USS Cumberland and forcing the USS Congress to surrender. The Monitor arrived on the scene that night and engaged the Virginia the following day.

The battle between the Monitor and the Virginia was inconclusive, with neither ship able to inflict significant damage on the other. However, the Monitor's presence prevented the Virginia from breaking the Union blockade, marking a strategic victory for the Union.

Later Service and Sinking

After the Battle of Hampton Roads, the Monitor continued to serve in the Union Navy, primarily in the James River and Chesapeake Bay areas. However, the ship was not well-suited for open ocean travel due to its low freeboard and heavy turret.

On December 31, 1862, while being towed to Beaufort, North Carolina, the Monitor encountered a storm off Cape Hatteras. The ship took on water and eventually sank, resulting in the loss of 16 crew members.

Legacy

The USS Monitor's design influenced naval architecture for decades, particularly the use of rotating turrets. The ship's wreck was discovered in 1973, and it was designated as the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary. Artifacts from the Monitor, including its turret, have been recovered and are on display at the Mariners' Museum in Newport News, Virginia.

Also see

• CSS Virginia
• Battle of Hampton Roads
• Ironclad warship
• John Ericsson
• Monitor National Marine Sanctuary