March 8 - 9, 1862

The Battle of Hampton Roads

On 8 March 1862, CSS Virginia (formerly Merrimack) emerged from the Gosport navy yard. With an average speed of only five knots, the vessel made slow progress on the Elizabeth River, tended by Beaufort and Raleigh. Entering Hampton Roads, Buchanan could see the five Federal warships off the opposite shore, with the sailing sloop Cumberland and the frigate Congress anchored off Newport News, near the entrance to the James River. The wooden-hulled frigates St. Lawrence, Minnesota, and Roanoke were farther east near Fort Monroe. At 1330, Buchanan dropped his towline to Beaufort and headed straight for Cumberland. This was the only vessel that Buchanan feared might have the firepower to damage Virginia. 

The Confederate James River Squadron (Patrick Henry, Jamestown, and Teaser) formed a line emerging from the James River and headed for the imminent action at Newport News. The Federal frigates Minnesota and Roanoke also headed toward Newport News from the opposite direction. The Federal steamer Cambridge began moving to tow St. Lawrence into position, As Virginia steamed slowly across Hampton Roads, a shot from USS Congress bounced off the thick armor of the Confederate ironclad. At 1420, Beaufort fired at Congress as the Confederate fleet approached and prepared to pass the frigate. Buchanan fired broadside into Congress as they passed, but kept his eyes on Cumberland. The ram of Virginia hit the starboard side of the large wooden sloop-of-war. Drawing back and firing again, the Confederate ironclad rammed the sinking ship a second time.

On the morning of 9 March 1862, Jones brought Virginia out to finish the carnage begun the day before. Heading toward Minnesota, still aground, Jones did not expect the appearance of an ironclad adversary from behind the stranded vessel. Monitor opened fire, compelling all of the wooden-hulled enemy vessels to retreat except for Virginia. For the next four hours, the two ships circled each other. The explosion of a shell against the pilothouse on Monitor injured Lieutenant Worden. Temporarily blinded, Worden handed over command to his executive officer, Lieutenant S. Dana Greene. Monitor withdrew into the shoals during the change of command. This withdrawal seemed like the perfect moment for Jones to renew the attack on Minnesota. Jones’ fellow officers convinced him to retire due to the falling tide and the damage to Virginia. The new commander of Monitor watched the Confederate ironclad retreat, but he had “strict orders to act on the defensive and protect the Minnesota.” During the return to Sewell’s Point, Jones’ officers convinced their commander to return to the yard for repairs. The next day, Virginia was back in the dry dock. During the night, the tugs finally freed Minnesota from the shoal. When Virginia failed to appear on the following day, it became clear that the battle was over. 

(Excerpted from the Naval History and Heritage Command website, Hampton Roads (navy.mil))  

The USS Monitor Center at The Mariners' Museum and Park in Newport News, Virginia is an excellent place to learn about the Battle of Hampton Roads. The Monitor Center served a key role in restoring the turret of the USS Monitor and has a life-sized replica of the ship.  Check out the museum's website:    (marinersmuseum.org)