Downtown in Norfolk, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The First Battle of Ironclad Ships, 1862
Photographed By Laura Troy, November 4, 2007
1. The First Battle of Ironclad Ships, 1862 Marker
Inscription.
The First Battle of Ironclad Ships, 1862. . On March 8, 1862 CSS Virginia steamed past this point (1) to a battle which would forever change naval warfare. This ship had previously been a Union steam frigate, USS Merrimack, which had been destroyed near the Gosport Navy Yard (2). Confederate forces found its hull to be sound and constructed a superstructure with iron plates to create a new kind of warship. The Virginia proceeded out into Hampton Roads where she sank USS Cumberland and severely damaged USS Congress (3). The next day she returned to destroy the Union fleet and open the port. However, USS Monitor, another ironclad, had slipped into Hampton Roads undetected by the Confederates (4). A major naval battle ensued (5). Neither ironclad did significant damage to the other. The Virginia tried to ram the Monitor but failed to sink her and opened a gash in her own hull. She returned to Gosport never to fight again. She was scuttled and burned on May 11, 1862 to prevent her capture by Union forces (6).
On March 8, 1862 CSS Virginia steamed past this point (1) to a battle which would forever change naval warfare. This ship had previously been a Union steam frigate, USS Merrimack, which had been destroyed near the Gosport Navy Yard (2). Confederate forces found its hull to be sound and constructed a superstructure with iron plates to create a new kind of warship. The Virginia proceeded out into Hampton Roads where she sank USS Cumberland and severely damaged USS Congress (3). The next day she returned to destroy the Union fleet and open the port. However, USS Monitor, another ironclad, had slipped into Hampton Roads undetected by the Confederates (4). A major naval battle ensued (5). Neither ironclad did significant damage to the other. The Virginia tried to ram the Monitor but failed to sink her and opened a gash in her own hull. She returned to Gosport never to fight again. She was scuttled and burned on May 11, 1862 to prevent her capture by Union forces (6).
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia, Norfolk Heritage Cannonball Trail series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1783.
Location. 36° 50.751′ N, 76° 17.645′ W. Marker is
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in Norfolk, Virginia. It is in Downtown. Marker is on Waterside Drive near Boush Avenue. This marker sits in Town Point Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Norfolk VA 23510, United States of America. Touch for directions.
More about this marker. This marker is part of the Norfolk Heritage Cannonball Trail.
Photographed By Laura Troy, November 4, 2007
2. The First Battle of Ironclad Ships, 1862 Marker
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, January 18, 2022
3. The First Battle of Ironclad Ships, 1862 Marker
Photographed By Julian Oliver Davidson, 1886
4. The Encounter at Short Range
This is the same engraving as used on the marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 11, 2007, by Laura Troy of Burke, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,502 times since then and 13 times this year. Last updated on June 17, 2022, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos:1, 2. submitted on November 11, 2007, by Laura Troy of Burke, Virginia. 3. submitted on January 18, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 4. submitted on October 7, 2015. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.