South Newport News , Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

A Great Confederate Naval Victory

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 11, 2008

1. A Great Confederate Naval Victory Marker

Inscription. 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 date for this entry is March 8, 1862.

Location. 36° 58.681′ N, 76° 26.017′ W. Marker is in Newport News, Virginia. It is in South Newport News. Marker is on West Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Marker is at entrance to Christopher Newport Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Newport News VA 23607, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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

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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 Newport News.

Marker at Christopher Newport Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 11, 2008

2. Marker at Christopher Newport Park

Marker at Congress & Cumberland Overlook image. Click for full size.

Photographed 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.

Anchor Chain of the U.S.S. Cumberland image. Click for full size.

Photographed 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.

James River Overlook image. Click for full size.

Photographed 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 February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 16, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,477 times since then and 26 times this year. Last updated on August 28, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 16, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.