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The Epic Hunt for the South's Most Feared Ship and the Greatest Sea Battle of the Civil War

Craig Blair

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Published in To The Uttermost Ends Of The Earth: The Epic Hunt For The South S Most Feared Ship And The Greatest Sea Battle Of The Civil War

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A Painting Of The Monitor And Merrimack, The Two Ironclad Ships That Fought In The Battle Of Hampton Roads To The Uttermost Ends Of The Earth: The Epic Hunt For The South S Most Feared Ship And The Greatest Sea Battle Of The Civil War

The Hunt for the CSS Virginia

In the early days of the American Civil War, the Confederate States Navy (CSN) began to convert the USS Merrimack, a steam-powered frigate, into an ironclad warship. The Merrimack was renamed CSS Virginia and was equipped with a powerful iron ram and ten cannons.

To the Uttermost Ends of the Earth: The Epic Hunt for the South's Most Feared Ship—and the Greatest Sea Battle of the Civil War

by Phil Keith

4.4 out of 5

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On March 8, 1862, the Virginia steamed into Hampton Roads, Virginia, and attacked the Union fleet. The Virginia quickly sank the USS Cumberland and USS Congress and forced the USS Minnesota to run aground. The Virginia then withdrew for the night, but the Union fleet was now on the defensive.

The Union Navy knew that they had to find a way to defeat the Virginia, so they sent a fleet of ships to Hampton Roads to hunt for her. The Union ships included the USS Monitor, the first ironclad warship built for the US Navy.

The Monitor was a small ship, but it was heavily armored and armed with two 11-inch Dahlgren guns. The Monitor was also faster than the Virginia, so it could keep up with her and maneuver around her.

On March 9, 1862, the Monitor and the Virginia met in battle in Hampton Roads. The two ships exchanged fire for over four hours, but neither ship was able to sink the other. The battle was a draw, but it marked the beginning of a new era of naval warfare.

The Battle of Hampton Roads

The Battle of Hampton Roads was the first battle between ironclad warships. The battle was a stalemate, but it showed the potential of ironclad warships. Ironclad warships were much more difficult to sink than wooden ships, and they could carry more powerful guns.

The Battle of Hampton Roads also showed the importance of naval power in the Civil War. The Union Navy was able to blockade the Confederate coast, which prevented the Confederacy from exporting cotton and importing supplies. The Union Navy also played a key role in the Union victory at Vicksburg, which split the Confederacy in two.

The Legacy of the CSS Virginia

The CSS Virginia was one of the most feared ships in the Confederate Navy. She was the first ironclad warship built in the United States, and she played a key role in the Battle of Hampton Roads. The Virginia was eventually sunk by the Union Navy in May 1862, but her legacy lives on.

The Virginia showed the potential of ironclad warships, and she helped to change the course of the Civil War. The Virginia is also a reminder of the importance of naval power in warfare.

The hunt for the CSS Virginia was one of the most exciting and important events of the Civil War. The Battle of Hampton Roads was the first battle between ironclad warships, and it changed the course of naval warfare. The Virginia was a powerful ship, and she played a key role in the Confederate Navy. The Virginia is also a reminder of the importance of naval power in warfare.

To the Uttermost Ends of the Earth: The Epic Hunt for the South's Most Feared Ship—and the Greatest Sea Battle of the Civil War

by Phil Keith

4.4 out of 5