After virginia seceded from the union in 1861, the union set about depriving the confederacy of resources to resist the naval blockade. The history of the battle of hampton roads between the two ironsides ships is a remarkable era of naval warship that took place in march 89 1862 between uss monitor and merrimack css virginia civil war trust, 2014. This famous civil war battle changed modern naval history forever. However, the significance of march 8 and 9, 1862 went far beyond the immediate needs in hampton roads. The cemeterys first burials took place in 1862 and the cemetery is among numerous national cemeteries with origins that date to. It took place from april 6 to april 7, 1862 in southwestern tennessee. The virginia destroyed key union vessels in hampton roads and kept the. The battle of hampton roads the uss monitor center. Monitor positioned herself to protect the immobile minnesota, and a general battle began. Battle of hampton roads, monitor merrimack battle civil war. The battle of hampton roads, also referred to as the battle of the monitor and merrimack or. The prediction that a single ironclad, in the midst of a hostile wooden fleet, would resemble. It was a battle fought on water by ironclad ships of war.
It was fought over two days, march 89, 1862, in hampton roads, a roadstead in virginia where the elizabeth and nansemond rivers. The battle of hampton roads, also referred to as the battle of the monitor and merrimack or virginia or the battle of ironclads, was a famous and arguably most important naval battle of the american civil war. It was fought on march 8 and 9, 1862 near hampton roads, virginia. The battle of hampton roads, often called the battle of monitor and merrimack, was a naval battle of the american civil war, famous for being the first fight between two steam powered ironcovered warships, or ironclads, the uss monitor, an entirely new design, and the css virginia which had been rebuilt from the burnedout hull of the uss merrimack. On march 8, 1862, from her berth at norfolk, the confederate ironclad virginia formerly merrimack steamed into hampton roads where she sank cumberland and ran congress aground. The battle of hampton roads naval history and heritage navy.
The battle of hampton roads, often referred to as either the battle of the monitor and merrimack or virginia or the battle of ironclads, was the most noted and arguably most important naval battle of the american civil war from the standpoint of the development of navies. The american battlefield trusts battle of hampton roads page includes battle maps, history articles, historical facts, recommended books, web links, and more on this 1862 battle of civil war ironclads in virginia. For three years, the mariners museum in hampton roads, va. Titus andronicus the battle of hampton roads lyrics. Download map and event schedule pdf view press release. Anchored on the opposite side of hampton roads were five major union warships. The battle of hampton roads, which took place in march, 1862 in virginia, was a naval engagement during the american civil war. They were racing to beat the confederate ironclad css virginia to the roads. Battle of hampton roads american civil war stories. The american civil war battle of the ironclad warships which took place on the elizabeth river in virginia has several common names. In hampton roads there is even a bridge tunnel named after the two ships monitor merrimack bridge tunnel.
Battle of hampton roads simple english wikipedia, the. The battle of hampton roads fordham university press. By early march 1862, the new css virginia was ready to engage the union fleet stationed in hampton roads near fortress monroe. Battle of the monitor and merrimack, also called battle of hampton roads, march 9, 1862, in the american civil war, naval engagement at hampton roads, virginia, a harbour at the mouth of the james river, notable as historys first duel between ironclad warships and the beginning of a new era of naval warfare. In fact, the battle of hampton roads was the first time the virginias engines were fully tested while its armored shields for its broadside gunports had not yet been installed. The uss monitor and the css virginia were the first ironclad warships in history to battle against one another. It was an important battle because it was the first combat between ironclad warships the confederate ironclad css virginia tried to break the union navy blockade of hampton roads. What were the effects of the battle of hampton roads.
Tonight, two great ships will pull back to their ports depleted of everything that shoots flames and reports and in the morning the shells will wash up on. The battle of hampton roads, also known as the battle of the ironclads, occurred on march 9, 1862 between the u. Virginia, elizabeth and nansemond rivers meet the james river just before it enters chesapeake bay adjacent to the city of norfolk. The hampton history museum presented the firstever reenactment of the battle of hampton on oct.
Hampton roads is the name of both a body of water that serves as a wide channel for the james, nansemond and elizabeth rivers between old point comfort and sewells point where the chesapeake bay flows into the atlantic ocean, and the surrounding metropolitan region located in the southeastern virginia and northeastern north carolina portions of the tidewater region. The confederate ironclad css virginia tried to break the union navy blockade of hampton roads. Norfolk states battle of the bay football game with hampton wont be played next season. The battle of hampton roads was short and contrary to its name, not on any road at all. The american battlefield trusts battle of hampton roads page includes battle maps, history articles, historical facts, recommended books, web links, and more on this 1862 battle of. Undeterred, virginia steamed out into hampton roads.
Monitor 150th anniversary battle of hampton roads event. New perspectives on the uss monitor and css virginia. The union warship uss monitor defeated the confederate warship uss merrimack in the battle of hampton roads. Battle of the ironclads monitor and merrimackvirginia location. The battle of hampton roads was a naval battle that occurred off the coast of virginia on march 8 and 9, 1862. This book takes a new look at this historic battle. Merrimac led both ships to believe that their opponents had fled and that they had won the battle. Hampton roads is basically a ship dock in virginia where the james river meets the. The virginia was completed on march 7, 1862, at norfolk naval yard and set sail immediately for hampton roads. Explore photos and quotes from hampton roads own epic ironclad battle and decide for yourself. This battle is often referred to by a number of names. However, the battle was fought between two famous ironclad ships called the monitor and the merrimack.
Battle of hampton roads national maritime historical society. The ten original essays, written by leading historians, explore every aspect of the battlefrom the building of the warships and life aboard these iron coffins to tactics, strategy, and the debates about who really won the battle of hampton roads. When the union ironclad uss monitor fought the confederate ironclad. On your visit to the hampton roads history center, read about the battle of hampton roads. Most historians call it the battle of hampton roads because it took place in a body of water called hampton roads in virginia. However, the battle was fought between two famous ironclad. Which side won the battle of hampton roads in the civil.
This battle was an inconclusive one that began on march 8, 1862, involving the confederate ironclad virginia a seagoing vessel that steamed into hampton roads where she sank cumberland another ship and ran congress aground. The civil war naval battle fought in hampton roads, virginia, on 9 march 1862 and watched by thousands of people on shore, inaugurated a new chapter in the history of warfare. Merrimack uss monitor is one of the most famous ships in history, and in early march 1862 she fought in one of most important naval battles in american history, the battle of hampton roads. The blockade prevented all commerce with norfolk and richmond, virginia. On march 9, the union ironclad monitor, having fortuitously arrived to do battle, initiated the first engagement of ironclads in history. Reconstruction of the battle at hampton roads, virginia 1862. Hampton roads restaurants transform into markets with eggs. Copublished with the mariners museum, home to the uss monitor center, this authoritative guide to the military, political, technological, and cultural dimensions of this historic battle also features a portfolio of classic lithographs, drawings, and paintings. Battle of hampton roads, civil war battle of hampton roads. The battle of hampton roads was fought over the two day period spanning march 89, 1862 in hampton roads. This first meeting of two ironclad warships in battle forever changed naval.
Under the command of admiral franklin buchanan, she arrived the next day, march 8, and began to attack the union blockade. Strategically, the threat of css virginia to us wooden fleet would never appear again, and us naval blockade of the csa endured, bankrupting confederation. Which ship won the battle of hampton roads or was it a draw. The twoday event brought to life the land and sea battle that started the revolutionary war in virginia.
The battle of hampton roads was a naval battle of the american civil war. With the 150th anniversary of the famous battle between the uss monitor and css virginia now before us, the civil war trust recently had the opportunity to speak with noted naval historian and author craig symonds about the battle of hampton roads and the historical significance of the first battle between ironclad naval vessels. The battle of hampton roads, aka the battle of the ironclads monitor and merrimack, was fought march 89, 1862 near hampton roads, virginia. The scene that greeted her crew that evening was horrifying. The virginia destroyed key union vessels in hampton roads and kept the james river closed to union advances for a time. Battle of hampton roads the battle of hampton roads, often referred to as either the battle of the monitor and merrimack or virginia or the battle of.
The battle of hampton roads by don rittner during the civil war, the union began the building of 76 ironclad war ships, commissioning 42 of them before may 1, 1865. The majority of the battle happened in the north and south channels of the james river in close combat in a place called hampton roads. Battle of hampton roads day the mariners museum and park. The battle of hampton roads was an inconclusive naval fight that took place on march 9, 1862, off the coast of virginia, between the css virginia and the uss.
One way which it is commonly referenced is as simply the monitor vs. The monitor saved the fleet from further destruction and kept the virginia trapped in hampton roads. The nansemond and elizabeth rivers also enter the roadstead, which is connected to chesapeake bay by the thimble shoal channel, some 1,000. It is the most famous naval battle of the american civil war, pitting the nations first ironclad ships against each other. The battle of hampton roads, often called the battle of monitor and merrimack, was a naval battle of the american civil war, famous for being the first fight between two ironclad warships, the uss monitor and the css virginia the latter rebuilt from the burnedout hull of the uss merrimack. It was fought over two days, march 89, 1862, in hampton roads, a roadstead in virginia where the elizabeth and. One of the most famous naval battles of the conflict, the engagement is noteworthy as it marked the first time two armored, ironclad warships met in combat.
The battle received worldwide attention, and it had immediate effects on navies around the world. Both ships hammered away at each other with heavy cannon, and tried to run down and hopefully disable the other, but their ironarmored sides prevented vital damage. Hampton roads, great natural roadstead, southeastern virginia, u. The ten original essays, written by leading historians, explore every aspect of the battlefrom the building of the warships and life aboard these iron coffins to tactics, strategy, and the debates about who really won the. March 8, 1862 the same storm that nearly sank the monitor on. The battle of shiloh was one of the major early engagements of the american civil war 186165. It was an important battle because it was the first combat between ironclad warships. Although it did not produce a conclusive result, the battle is considered historically important, since it was the first time that ironclad warships had met in battle. Hampton national cemetery is located in hampton, va.
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