On March 9, 1862, the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia fought the first battle between ironclad warships at Hampton Roads, Virginia.
The Virginia had been built on the hull of the captured Union ship Merrimack. The day before, it had sunk two wooden Union warships.
A Draw That Changed History
Neither ironclad could defeat the other, but the battle showed that wooden warships were becoming obsolete.
Visit
The Monitor’s turret and other artifacts recovered from the sea are displayed at the Mariners’ Museum in Newport News, Virginia.
Explore More
Ohio is full of Civil War history. Visit the Ohio History Connection in Columbus, Camp Chase Confederate Cemetery, the Sherman House Museum in Lancaster, Grant’s birthplace in Point Pleasant, and Morgan’s Raid markers across southern and eastern Ohio. County historical societies often hold letters, photos, and flags from local regiments, so check with yours too.
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