South Newport News in Newport News, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
A Great Confederate Naval Victory
By Bill Coughlin, August 11, 2008
1. A Great Confederate Naval Victory Marker
On March 8, 1862, the day before her epic battle with the U.S.S. Monitor, the Confederate ironclad ram Virginia (formerly the U.S.S. Merrimack) engaged and sank in the James River two powerful Union sailing Ships of War, the U.S.S. Cumberland and the U.S.S. Congress, and also silenced Union shore batteries on the bluffs at Newport News.Despite the gallant defense of these vessels, that day’s action vividly demonstrated the superiority of metal over wood. The victory was a high point in the hopes of the Confederacy.
The sinking of these powerful wooden warships was witnessed with dismay by Federal forces at Camp Butler which then included the site of this park. The length of anchor chain from the U.S.S. Cumberland displayed here was recovered from the river bottom in 1909.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1862.
Location. 36° 58.681′ N, 76° 26.017′ W. Marker is in South Newport News in Newport News, Virginia. Marker is on West Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Marker is at
By Bill Coughlin, August 11, 2008
2. Marker at Christopher Newport Park
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Newport News (here, next to this marker); A Nameless Grave (within shouting distance of this marker); Collis Potter Huntington (within shouting distance of this marker); Newport News Point (within shouting distance of this marker); Congress – Cumberland (within shouting distance of this marker); Headquarters, Hampton Roads (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Victory Arch (about 500 feet away); Victory Avenue (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in South Newport News.
Also see . . . CSS Virginia destroys USS Cumberland and USS Congress, 8 March 1862. Naval Historical Center website. (Submitted on August 16, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
By Bill Coughlin, August 11, 2008
3. Marker at Congress & Cumberland Overlook
The battle that occurred near here marked the end of the age of wooden naval vessels.
By Bill Coughlin, April 21, 2007
4. Anchor Chain of the U.S.S. Cumberland
First victim of an ironclad warship in history, sunk March 8, 1862 by the C.S.S. Virginia. This chain is now on display at the Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond.
By Bill Coughlin, August 11, 2008
5. James River Overlook
In these waters on March 8, 1862, the ironclad C.S.S. Virginia attacked and sank the U.S.S. Cumberland and U.S.S. Congress, and crippled the U.S.S. Minnesota.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 17, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 16, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,284 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 16, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
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