Read Alvah Hunter's A Year on a Monitor and the Destruction of Fort Sumter. It may change your mind about monitors. Better to be in a monitor than one of those City Class ironclads (Cairo, Louisville, etc). They got shot up quite a bit.
__________________ "In this great struggle, this form of Government and every form of human right is endangered if our enemies succeed. There is more involved in this contest than is realized by every one." Abraham Lincoln - August 18, 1864 Speech to the 164th Ohio Regiment
I started reading some detail on the battle and was surprised that the Virginia sustained some damage, in that some 20 sailors,or so, were killed or wounded.
One interesting point was the iron sheathing used on the Virginia was obtained from the B&O rails, torn up by Stonewall Jackson and brought to the Tredegar Iron Works.
Also that the two cannon aboard the Monitor were XI Dahlgren's, which fired a 11 inch shell behind 15 pounds of powder.
Later in the war, up to 30 pounds of powder were used in the XI Dahlgren cannon and were more powerful against ships and fortifications.
I was fortunate enough to be able to tour the museum in June. It is, without a doubt, one of the nicest museums I have ever been in. Well laid out, well lighted, spacious and very well marked. It was absolutely fantastic!
If you are in the area, be sure an put in 3 or 4 hours for this. Use your AAA discount for reduced rates.
__________________
Mark W. Swarthout, Esq.
GGGrandson of Pvt. John W. Swarthout, Company E, 148th NYVI - Wounded at Cold Harbor.
GGGGrandson of Pvt. Henry Stephens, Company D, 137th NYVI - Wounded at Culp's Hill, Gettysburg.
__________________
"In mortal combat, a man may and will become so infuriated by the din and dangers of a bloody fight that his heart will turn to stone and his every de sire [be] for blood."
John Hadley, 7th Indiana after the battle at Port Republic
Excellent articles. A must visit for those who are fascinated by the naval side of the CW.
__________________ F. S. Powers
Union Ancersor: Pvt Arnuah Norton, 60th Ohio. (G-G-G Grandfather) Died at Salisbury NC, November 3, 1864
Confederate Ancestors: Captain Thomas A. Morrow, 29th Texas Cavalry (G-G-G- Uncle) and 2LT George W. Morrow, 31st Texas Cavalry (G-G-G Grandfather). Both survived the war
I made a visit to the Monitor museum it was really awsome I spent like 2 hrs be being told the museum was closing I need to go back so i can see more .
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