mar 9, 1862 - CIVIL WAR #2: U.S.S. Monitor vs. C.S.S. Virginia

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On March 9, 1862, one of the most famous naval battles in American history occurs as two ironclads. Following the Union loss at Bull Run, the North was in need of a victory. The U.S.S.Monitor (Union’s) and the C.S.S. Virginia (Confederate’s) battle to a tie off of Hampton Roads, Virginia. The ships pounded each other all morning for four hours, but their armor plates easily deflected each others cannon shots and gunshots, signaling a new era of steam-powered iron ships. The ships circled one another, jockeying for position as they fired their guns. In the early afternoon, the Virginia pulled back to Norfolk. Neither ship was seriously damaged, but the U.S.S. Monitor effectively ended the short reign of terror that the Confederate ironclad had brought to the Union navy.

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