Her Great-Great-Grandfather was USS Monitor Chief Engineer Alban Stimers-- Part 2

Carol Miller, of New Jersey,  moved with her parents to Morada after retirement.

"I remember playing at my grandparents' home when I was a kid and there was a pocket watch under a glass dome," Miller said.  "I never though much about it.  What kid cares about a pocket watch?  Later,  I learned that it was a gift given to my great-great grandfather by the president -- Grant, I think, because he helped win the Civil War."

The pocket watch went to an uncle's family because he was the oldest sibling.

At the event, Carol Miller had a photo of Alban Stimers, a booklet about the USS Monitor with a picture of  his name in a stone at the  Mariners' Museum in Newport News, Virginia, and a model of the ship as well as a picture  of the battle between the Monitor and Virginia.

"He went in to the battle as 'an observer' " Miller said.  "But it got messy real quick and when a gunner was killed, he had to take over.  He knew every bolt  on that ship."

Hopefully she will donate the watch to the Mariners' Museum.

--Old B-Runner

20th Anniversary of Monitor's Turret Recovery-- Part 3

The recovery, preservation and display of the USS Monitor turret has been a tremendous success.  Howard H. Hoege III, President and CEO of  the Mariner's Museum, told Bay  Bulletin, "About two thirds of our visitors report that that the USS Monitor exhibit was the best part of their visit to the museum.  Last week, we had a French film crew here to document our conservation of the USS Monitor."

Preservation of the turret is ongoing.  According to Hoege,  "No one has ever conducted a restoration of this scale before, so we don't know exactly how long it will take.  The next step will be to turn  the turret over (it is upside down now), remove the top, and continue treatment of the two separate parts."

Originally, the thought was to raise the entire ship, but its hull was too far gone for any attempt to be made.

In addition, there is a full scale model of the Monitor on the Mariners' Museum grounds.

--Old B-Runner

20th Anniversary of Recovery of USS Monitor's Turret-- Part 2

From the August 2, 2022, Chesapeake Bay Magazine"Anniversary celebration: Ironclad Civil War  ship's turret pulled from the ocean" by Kendall Osborne.

It was 20 years ago this week that the turret of the famous USS Monitor was pulled off the ocea floor of North Carolina.

The ship of course, had that famous battle with the ironclad CSS Vorginia at Hampton Roads, Virginia, on March 9, 1862, and then  sank the last day of 1862 before being found in August 1973.  Exploration and recovery  began with smaller pars of the ship being brought up like the propeller.  The largest piece broke  the surface of the Atlantic Ocean on August 5, 2002, the turret and was taken to the Mariners' Museum for preservation.

The recovery of the turret was no small feat.  It took 41 days and 160 divers, mostly from the U.S. Navy, to get the turret to the surface, and it has since most of the last twenty years in an Electrolyte Reduction (ER) System in a 90,000 gallon tank to keep it protected.

--Old B-Runner

20th Anniversary Celebration Today at Mariners' Museum for Recovery of the Monitor's Turret

From the Chesapeake Bay Magazine.

The Mariners' Museum in Virginia, which is also the home and offices of the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary (MNMS), will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Moniior' turret recovery today, August 6.

There will be a scavenger hunt and visitors of all ages can dig through concretion (the goop that surrounds artifacts on the sea floor) to find additional artifacts. (That sounds really neat to me.)

Representatives from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will guide visitors through a virtual dive to the wreck of the Monitor through virtual reality headsets.  There will be additional personnel throughout the museum to give visitors additional and interesting  information about specific exhibits.

At 11 am, Dr. John Broadwater, the former superintendent of the MNMS, will describe how the national marine sanctuary, NOAA, the Navy, The Mariners' Museum and other agencies recovered the Monitor's turret and other artifacts.

After lunch, Will Hoffman, director of conservation and chief conservator, will discuss efforts to preserve the turret over the last twenty years.  He will also discuss the 220 tons of other recovered artifacts from the site.

Sure Wish I Could Be There.  --Old B-Runner

The Timby and the Monitor Blog-- Part 6: 'The Duplicity of Ericsson'

When Ericsson's vessel was completed it was quickly recognized as Theodore Timby's  turreted, low freeboard ship concept which he had  modeled and exhibited in New York as early as 1843.

Despite high levels of protest by military and political principals of the times and others who knew, duplicity of Ericsson in high places, and a government acting in denial of its own official records, Timby's revolutionary design became famous as the Civil War USS Monitor, but in history, alas to the credit and fame of the wrong man.

Of course, these are the words of Theodore Walcott Dickes, great -great grandson of Theodore Timby.  He definitely has an axe to grind and rightfully so.  Until I came across that article about seeing the remains of the USS Monitor at the Mariners' Museum and under Monitor designers saw the names of Ericsson and Timby, I had never heard of Theodore Timby.

That is why I have been writing about this the last several weeks.

--Old B-Runner

See the Remains of the USS Monitor-- Part 4: About the Museum

Her resting place is now at the  Mariner's Museum in Newport News, Virginia.  This is located only a few miles from where the Monitor fought the CSS Virginia  in that legendary battle (The Battle of Hampton Roads).  The relics of the ship make up the heart of the museum's USS Monitor Center. The exhibit is dedicated to the USS Monitor and the strategies, people, technology and science behind its tale.

VISITING THE MARINER'S MUSEUM

The museum is open every day during normal business hours and admission is a token $1.  For another $6, visitors can upgrade their admission tickets to include a 3D documentary movie at the Explorers' Theater.  The documentaries that they show are not necessarily about the Monitor, but often about the batural world.

OPEN:   Daily

MUSEUM HOURS:   9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

ADDRESS:  The Mariners' Museum and  Park, 100  Museum Dr., Newport News, Virginia.

PHONE:  (757) 596-2222.

--Old B-Monitor

See the Remains of the Monitor-- Part 3: The End

Continued from June 10, 2022.

The battle lasted four hours as the ships shot at each other but were unable to do serious damage.  The final outcome  of the battle was cannonballs bouncing off each other.  Both eventually retired from battle unable to beat the other.

As fate would have it, the Confederates  scuttled and destroyed their ironclad, while the USS Monitor eventually foundered while under tow in a storm.  Neither ship survived 1862.

DISCOVERY AND RECOVERY OF USS MONITOR

The USS Monitor sank off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina in 1862.  She remained underwater for  over a hundred years until she was discovered in 1973 (the year I started teaching).  Since then, she has been partially salvaged and her relics are on display at the Mariners Museum in Newport News, Virginia.

REDISCOVERED: 1973

SALVAGE:  It has been partially salvaged.  (The turret was salvaged completely.)

Today people can visit the relics and view a full-scale replica of the ship.  They can also see her two cannons, engine and other recovered objects.

--Old B-Runner

See the Remains of the Iconic USS Monitor at This Museum

From the June 8, 2022 The Travel.com. by Aaron Spray.

Especially of interest in that an official survey was made a short time ago of the wreck of this famous ship.  But artifacts from the Monitor can be seen at the Mariner's Museum.

Despite having only a short naval career, the USS Monitor was one of the most consequential and revolutionary ships ever built by the Union and the US Navy.  She was completed in 1862 and famously took part in the Battle of Hampton Roads where she squared off against the ironclad CSS Virginia for the Confederacy.  The outcome of this battle changed naval warfare forever.

Today, parts of this revolutionary ship built to counter the South's own revolutionary ship have been discovered, recovered, and are on display in Newport News, Virginia.  Newport News is also by the U.S.  Norfolk Naval Base, the largest  naval base in the world.  (There are also  cruise tours of it.)

The USS Monitor was one of the most unusual ships ever built and was distinguished by its revolving turret.  She was built in only 101 days in Brooklyn, New York, and ushered in a new age of ironclad ships.  She was hurriedly built by the North when they got news that the Confederates were building an ironclad ship of their own.

--Old B-Runner

In Case You're Wondering About the Mission to USS Monitor Being Named 'Valor in the Atlantic'?

From the May 15, 2022, Chesapeake Bay Magazine "Deep Dive:   Shipwreck of ironclad  USS Monitor gets  high-tech exploration."

Then turret of this famous ship was raised from the ocean floor  and now is being carefully preserved  at the Mariners Museum in Newport News.  Most of the rest of the USS Monitor is still underwater.  The turret was recovered after a 41-day recovery mission in 2002.

In addition to the Monitor, the area around it in the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary also contains other wrecks.  The expedition's name, "Valor in the Atlantic," is the fact that a variety of wartime shipwrecks will be explored.

During World War II, attacks from German U-boats against Allied merchant vessels, a part of the famed Battle of the Atlantic during that war, resulted in a high concentration of World War II ships off the North Carolina coast.  The project represents  an ideal, opportunity to honor the history and sacrifice of Allied servicemen and members of the U.S.  Merchant Marine who fought and died during the war.

--Old B-Runner

Recovery of the Monitor's Turret-- Part 5: Today

Among some of the artifacts recovered from the ship was a red signal lantern, possibly the one used  to send a distress signal to the USS Rhode Island and the last thing seen of the Monitor before it sank.  It was the first object recovered from the wreck site in 1977.

A gold wedding band was also recovered from the hand of one of the skeletal remains on one of the Monitor's crew members found in the turret.

Northrup Grumman  Shipyard in Newport News constructed a full-scale, non seaworthy model of the Monitor.  The replica was laid down in February 2005 and completed just two months later on the grounds of the Mariners' Museum.

The Monitor National Marine Sanctuary conducts occasional dives on the wreck of the monitor and record any changes in its condition and environment.

--Old B-Runner

Recovery of Monitor's Turret-- Part 4: Conservation Continues

In 2003, NOAA divers and volunteers returned to the Monitor with the goal of obtaining overall video of  the site to create a permanent record of the current conditions of the wreck after the turret recovery.  

Jeff Johnston of the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary (MNMS) also wanted a definitive image of the vessel's pilot house. During the dives, the Monitor's iron pilothouse was located near the bow of the vessel and documented for the first time by videographer Rick Allen, of Nautilus Productions, in its inverted  position.

Conservation of the propeller was completed nearly three years after its recovery, and it is in display in the Monitor Center  at the Mariners' Museum.  As of 2013,  conservation of the engine, its components, the turret and the guns continues.

The two Dahlgren cannons were removed from the turret in September 2004 and placed in their own conservation tanks.

--Old B-Runner

Recovery of the Monitor's Turret-- Part 3: Who Were the Two Remains Found in the Turret?

As archaeologists examined the contents of the turret after it had been landed on the Wotan, they discovered a second skeleton, but removing it did not begin until the turret arrived at the Mariners' Museum for conservation.  The remains of the two sailors were transferred to the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Agency (JPAA)  at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, in hopes that they could be identified.

Only sixteen members of the Monitor's crew that were not rescued by the USS Rhode Island and forensic anthropologists at the JPAA were able to rule out the three missing black crewmen based on the shape of the femurs and skulls.    Among the most promising of the remaining 13 were crew members Jacob Nicklis, Robert Williams and William Bryan.  

But, a decade passed and no definite confirmation could be made.  On March 8, 2013, their remains were buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.

--Old B-Runner

Mariner's Museum Commemorates the 158th Anniversary of the Battle of Hampton Roads

From the March 2, 2020, 13 News Now, Hampton Roads, Virginia.

The battle between the two ironclads changed naval architecture forever and altogether resulted in more U.S. Navy deaths in a single battle until Pearl Harbor.

This weekend, Saturday March 7, re-enactors of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas will be on hand

Plus, Tidewater Living History Association will bring to life through demonstrations and story telling.

Information will be given about the crews of both the USS Monitor and CSS Virginia.  That night, History Bites will be back for a 7th year.  Beginning at 6:30 pm, Hampton Roads' top restaurants will prepare their best efforts at making 19th century foods for the honor of receiving the Cast Iron Skillet  Award.

Cost of the food extravaganza is $30 for members and $40 for non-members, but you get unlimited tastes.

Better Hurry Up and See the Role the CSS Virginia Played Before Certain People Have It Removed.

Sign Me Up For The Tasting.  --Old B-Runner

Mariner's Museum in Virginia Boring the USS Monitor's Guns

From the February 26, 2020, Daily  Press (Va,)  "Mariner's Museum bores gun of USS Monitor, takes major step  toward displaying ironclad's weapons" by Josh Reyes.

Eric Farrell didn't mind the  black water pouring on him as he peered down the bore of an eight-ton Dahlgren cannon as he kept the drill steady that was eating into the cannon.

The gun had set in a chemical bath at the museum for several years and for 140 years before that, it sat on the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.  And, before that, it was in the rotating turret of the USS Monitor in its epic fight with the Confederate ironclad CSS Virginia.

Tuesday was the first time he and the others in his group were able to use that one-of--kind drill to clear out silt, coal and other debris that had accumulated over the years.  Next week they plan to start on the second cannon.

Once the two cannons are bored out scientists will see how much salt still remains in each barrel and then chemically extract it.

Boring into these mammoth guns is no easy job.  Each weighs nearly eight tons and are 11 feet long with an opening 11 inches across.

At one point in the boring, something hard was encountered and there was a momentary thought it might be the ship's cat which according to one story was placed in the gun as the ship sank.  It turned out to be apiece of a crab.

Oh, Well, No Cat But Crab.  --Old B-Runner

Conservators Clean Civil War Ironclad USS Monitor's Guns

From the February 25, 2020, 13 News Now by Christopher Collette.

Crews are busily working on the ship's Dahlgren cannons at the Mariner's Museum.  These guns fired at the CSS Virginia in one of the most famous naval battles in history in 1862, then they went to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean when the ship sank later that year off North Carolina's Cape Hatteras, taking 16 men with them.

The Monitor's wreck was discovered in the 1970s and recovery of parts, including the famed turret in which the two cannons were located, started in the 1990s.

On Tuesday, they started to clean  the 11-foot bores in each of the massive guns.  A good video accompanies the article.  They need to use a special-made tool to do this  to remove the marine growth inside the guns.According to them, the Monitor's guns are the largest ever to be bored.

All told, the project is expected to take another ten years.

--Old B-Runner

USS Monitor Still in the News

From the April 11, 2019, Hampton Roads (Va.) Daily Press  "Notes and Notables:  Area codes, local history and local shopping."

HISTORY AROUND US

When the gun turret from the ironclad ship USS Monitor was pulled up from the Atlantic on August 5, 2002, one historian compared its significance to that of the Apollo 11 module that delivered Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to the lunar surface.

That's how much the rotating turret --  which sunk with the rest of the Monitor off the coast of North Carolina at the end of 1862 --  changed the rules and strategies of naval warfare.

That 120-ton turret now  sits at the Mariners' Museum in Newport News, along with the ship's anchor, propeller and thousands of smaller artifacts that have been retrieved.  A painstakingly meticulous conservation effort continues on the turret --  this past week it was lifted about two inches so that the 17-year-old support apparatus could be replaced with a new one that will provide better access.

That Monitor.  What A Ship.  --Old Secesh

A USS Monitor Christmas-- Part 5: Sank A Week Later

Thus ended the only Christmas the USS Monitor would ever have.  Few aboard would have expected the ship would sink less that a week later, on December 31, 1862.  Sixteen of its crew, including Jacob Nicklis who had been so proud of his delicious meal on Christmas, went down with her.

Today, you can view artifacts from the USS Monitor at the Mariners' Museum at Newport News.  Starting in November the museum lowered its admission to $1, even better.

The Casemate Museum at Fort Monroe gives visitors the chance to experience the historical fort.

And, for those wishing to experience the festive holiday enjoyed by the Monitor's sailors, you can find Monitor inspired libations at the Ironclad Distillery in Newport News and Oozlefinch Craft Brewery in Hampton.

--Old B-R'er

Battle of Hampton Roads Weekend Coming Up

From the March 8,2018, Hampton Roads (Va.) Daily Press  "Battle of Hampton Roads Weekend."

The Mariners' Museum and Park (100 Museum Drive, Newport News, Va.) will be marking the 156 anniversary of the Battle Between the Monitor and Virginia (which took place March 9, 1862. today).

To mark the battle, there will be family-friendly activities, lectures, tours, hands-on-activities, cannon firings and re-enactors on hand from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.

--Old B-Runner

USS Monitor Receives Grant

From the September 29, 2016, Daily Press (Virginia) "Mariners Museum receives grant for USS Monitor" by Jonathan Black.

A grant of $27,000 was received from the Institute of Museum and Library Services was given to the Mariners Museum's USS Monitor.  It was one of three Virginia museums and 206 across the United States to receive grants.

The museum will buy, install and operate a new electlytic reduction computer monitoring system, which will support conservation of the revolving turret.

--Old B-Runner

Ramping Up to Save the USS Monitor's Turret-- Part 3: Looking for Dents

Since the turret recovery/conservation project started in 2002, some 760 objects have been found.

A five person team using chisels, hammers and small pneumatic tools will be removing scale-like layers of marine concretion.  Several times a day, the turret walls will be wet down with purified water.  Each Friday, the tank will be refilled with water to protect it over the weekend and then it will be drained again on Monday.

Once finished, the turret's newly exposed interior and exterior walls will be scanned through a 3-D photogrammerty process, to record the progress of the electrolytic reduction and descaling treatment.

In doing this, conservators hope to be able to gather information on Confederate shot, bolt and shells which hit the turret during its battle with the CSS Virginia in March 1862 and the confrontation with Drewry's Bluff two months later on the James River.

--Old B-Runner