March 9, 1862: The Battle Between the Monitor and Virginia-- Part 1

MARCH 9TH, 1862:  An engagement lasting four hours took place between the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia, mostly at close range.  Although neither side could claim a clear victory, this historic first combat between ironclads ushered in a new era of war at sea.

The blockade remained intact, but the Virginia remained as a powerful defender of the Norfolk area and a barrier to the use of the rivers for the movement of Union forces.

Severe damage inflicted on the wooden-hulled USS Minnesota by the Virginia during an interlude in the fight with the Monitor underscored the plight of a wooden ship confronted by an ironclad.

--Old B-Runner