Battle of the Ironclads

Page 5 of 7

• 1. Development of the Ironclads
• 2. USS Merrimack
• 3. USS Monitor
• 4. Challenge to the northern blockade
• 5. Meeting of the Ironclads
• 6. Last orders
• 7. Find out more
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Meeting of the Ironclads

Cannon balls that would formerly have created a lethal barrage of wooden splinters which shredded your opponent's crew now either made clean holes through the side or merely bounced off.

In theory the 'Monitor' had the advantage over her opponent because, while the 'Merrimack' had to keep repositioning, the rotating gun turret of the 'USS Monitor' meant she could fire from whatever position she was in. In practice whatever advantage the gun turret’s rotation gave was negated by the considerable time it took to reload her two guns. Once again, design flaws thwarted the crew of the 'Monitor' as they couldn't fire directly forwards or backwards for fear of damaging their own ship.

'The rotating gun turret of the 'USS Monitor' meant she could fire whatever position she was in'

At 12 noon, after four hours of fighting, the 'Merrimack' made a lucky hit straight onto the viewing slit of the pilot house while the captain of the 'Monitor' looked out. The 'Monitor' now withdrew to change command. After four and a half hours of fighting neither ship was in a position to finish off the fight. The 'Merrimack', afraid of being trapped by the changing tide, decided to retreat also. The battle was over.

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Published: 2006-01-12