The first naval conflict between iron clad vessels. In Hampton Roads, March 9th 1862.

In March 1862, the Confederate navy’s <em>CSS Virginia</em> (previously the <em>USS Merrimac</em>) and the Union’s <em>Monitor</em> ushered in a new era of naval warfare. The use of iron plate to reinforce wooden ships reduced their vulnerability to explosive or incendiary shelling and the Hampton Roads, Virginia, battle ended in a draw. This print, based on a photograph by Mathew Brady and published by the Endicott and Company, focuses on the technological innovations of naval design and warfare. The <em>Monitor</em>’s designer, the Swedish immigrant John Ericsson, is featured at the top and details of the ships' interior features surround the battle scene.

In March 1862, the Confederate navy’s CSS Virginia (previously the USS Merrimac) and the Union’s Monitor ushered in a new era of naval warfare. The use of iron plate to reinforce wooden ships reduced their vulnerability to explosive or incendiary shelling and the Hampton Roads, Virginia, battle ended in a draw. This print, based on a photograph by Mathew Brady and published by the Endicott and Company, focuses on the technological innovations of naval design and warfare. The Monitor’s designer, the Swedish immigrant John Ericsson, is featured at the top and details of the ships' interior features surround the battle scene.

URL: http://gigi.mwa.org/netpub/server.np?find&catalog=catalog&template=detail.np&field=itemid&op=matches&value=18391&site=public

Creator: Charles Parsons

Source: American Antiquarian Society

Publisher: New York: Endicott & Co.

Date: 1862

Rights: Lotridge, S. C. A.