The Sinking of the USS Monitor-- Part 2: Sank With Sixteen Crew Members

The Monitor's commander, J.P. Bankhead, signaled the USS Rhode Island, towing his ship, that he wished to abandon ship.  The wooden side-wheeler pulled as close as it could safely and two life boats were lowered to save the crew.  Many sailors were rescued, but others were too terrified to go out on the deck in the rough seas.

The ironclads pumps stopped and the ship sank with sixteen of its crew.

Thus ended the short but epic life of a truly remarkable little ship.

--Old B-Runner