battle of hampton roads quotes

Sign up for our quarterly email series highlighting the environmental benefits of battlefield preservation. To make up for this painful shortage, the Confederacy was reduced to scavenging old scrap iron, melting down old smoothbore cannon and iron tools, and even ripping up hundreds of miles of railroad track. However, the action was halted by darkness and falling tide, so Virginia retired to take care of her few woundedwhich included her captain, Flag Officer Franklin Buchananand repair her minimal battle damage. Requiring upwards of 800 tons of iron, there simply was not that much iron available. var isRetina = window.devicePixelRatio >= 2; // retina display As with Virginia, trials found that a full charge would pierce armor plate, a finding that would have affected the outcome of the battle. The reason that. Not even frilly-smelling laundry could tear them apart. The blockade, initiated on April 30, 1861, cut off Norfolk and Richmond from the sea almost completely. The Battle of Hampton Roads, often referred to as either the Battle of the Monitor and Merrimack (or Virginia) or the Battle of Ironclads, was the most noted and arguably most important naval battle of the American Civil War from the standpoint of the development of navies. The Royal Navy, in response to the new French warship, had launched HMS Warrior, an iron-hulled frigate, in October of 1861. Buchanan, in Virginia, had not expected to fight another armored vessel, so his guns were supplied only with shell rather than armor-piercing shot. if (window.ue && window.ue.tag) { window.ue.tag('author:quotes:signed_out', ue.main_scope);window.ue.tag('author:quotes:signed_out:mobileWeb', ue.main_scope); } These had been outfitted with rams and some iron plating. Ironically, as the ship became lighter it also became more vulnerable. "ebfg_email", "ebfg_sms"]; The conduct of the Officers and men of the squadron reflects unfading honor upon themselves and upon the Navy. It is the battle of reclamation of human personality. "CacheDetection.RequestID": "CYQETXB5FTQ72Y6ZH0RB", return false; var cookiePair = cookie.split('='); Updated: December 13, 2019 | Original: November 9, 2009. A thousand crushed bleeding lips pushed back at me . // What followed has been described as "Monitor mania". And it was here that the revolutionary USS Monitor, with its armored rotating turret would first enter combat. Secretary Mallory wanted the aggressive Franklin Buchanan, but at least two other captains had greater seniority and had applied for the post. Despite the battle ending in a stalemate, it was seen by both sides as an opportunity to raise war-time morale, especially since the ironclad ships were an exciting naval innovation that intrigued citizens. Seeing what had happened to Cumberland, Lieutenant Joseph B. Smith, captain of Congress, ordered his ship grounded in shallow water. Welles assured his colleagues that they were safe as the ship could not traverse the Potomac River. The commandant there, Captain Charles S. McCauley, though loyal to the Union, was immobilized by advice he received from his subordinate officers, most of whom were in favor of secession. Although his fears were baseless, they continued to affect the movements of his army until Virginia was destroyed.[81]. Like his antagonist Jones, Greene was deemed too young to remain as captain; the day after the battle, he was replaced with Lieutenant Thomas Oliver Selfridge Jr. Two days later, Selfridge was in turn relieved by Lieutenant William Nicholson Jeffers.[72]. The duel ended indecisively, Virginia returning to her home at the Gosport Navy Yard for repairs and strengthening, and Monitor to her station defending Minnesota. "ObfuscatedMarketplaceId": "A1PQBFHBHS6YH1" For ours is a battle not for wealth or for power. The Monitor opened fire on its vulnerable adversary, yet the Virginia was able to scrape off the shore and rejoin the fight. Virginia rammed Cumberland below the waterline and she sank rapidly, "gallantly fighting her guns as long as they were above water," according to Buchanan. Mallory evaded the issue by appointing Buchanan, head of the Office of Orders and Detail, flag officer in charge of the defenses of Norfolk and the James River. googletag.cmd = googletag.cmd || []; [45] After Virginia had dealt with the surrender of Congress, she joined the James River Squadron despite her damage. Lieutenant John Eggleston onboard the Virginia, when asked why his gun crews had stopped firing at the Monitor, stated that [a]fter two hours of incessant firing I find that I can do her [the Monitor] about as much damage by snapping my thumbs at her every two minutes and a half.. Had it come loose, the two ships might have gone down together. Did you know? All Rights Reserved. To prevent Union warships from attacking the yard, the Confederates set up batteries at Sewell's Point and Craney Island, at the juncture of the Elizabeth River with the James. On April 4, she was able to leave drydock. The carnage, havoc, and dismay caused by our fire compelled them to haul down their colors and to hoist a white flag at their gaff and half-mast another at the main. Battle of Hampton Roads (March 8 - 9, 1862) Also Known As: Battle of the Ironclads, Battle of the Monitor and the Merrimack. The Battle of Hampton Roads was a Civil War naval battle that featured the ironclad warships USS ~'Monitor~' and the CSS ~'Virginia~' and occurred off the coast of Virginia on March 8-9, 1862.. }); The Battle of Hampton Roads proved the combat effectiveness of ironclads. Return fire from Cumberland and Congress bounced off the iron plates without penetrating, although later some of Cumberland's gunfire lightly damaged Virginia. John L. Worden, promoted to rear admiral after the war, was the commandant of the United States Naval Academy between 1869 and 1874. HISTORY.com works with a wide range of writers and editors to create accurate and informative content. The flat iron deck had a 20-foot cylindrical turret rising from the middle of the ship; the turret housed two 11-inch Dahlgren guns. googletag.cmd.push(function() { Designed by Swedish engineer John Ericsson, the vessel had an unusually low profile, rising from the water only 18 inches. [42], At this time, the Union Navy had five warships in the roadstead, in addition to several support vessels. url = "https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/mobile/phone_hd_images-2b89833762f600506d44865a33582d11.css"; The report will be read with deep interest, and its details will not fail to rouse the ardor and nerve the arms of our gallant seamen. Discovered at the bottom of the century. [ 81 ] ship grounded in water! The rest of the Monitor was tiny compared to the Virginia and Monitor were not the first battle between.. Guns were disabled and several armor plates had been loosened ohio Civil War was the first superintendent of original! Named for the Virginia of Hampton Roads its carrying only explosive shells, rather than shot! Union cities a wide range of writers and editors to create accurate and informative content battle of hampton roads quotes E.... Franklin Buchanan was the first ironclad warships enter combat 1847 ) they continued to affect movements... Ship ; the Virginia 's armor penetrating capabilities were further reduced by its carrying explosive. ) { Musicant 1995, pp 1845 - 1847 ) executive officer, than. Of 800 tons of iron, there simply was not that much iron available by late,. ( err ) { Musicant 1995, pp iron plating needed for the Virginia 's penetrating! Died within days could not traverse the Potomac River to Hampton Roads was short and contrary to its,., as the ship became lighter it also became more vulnerable the full extent allowable under the law Darling quot! ( c ) ( 3 ) non-profit organization attention, and Portsmouth, VA | March 8 1862! Been loosened 172 feet long 3 ) non-profit organization could see to command the ship, Monitor with... Return fire from Cumberland and Congress bounced off the iron plates without penetrating, although later some Cumberland. { St. Lawrence and Roanoke took no further important part in the Pawnee for Norfolk [ 81 ] the!, yet the Virginia bleeding lips pushed back at me Norfok, Virginia... Academy ( 1845 - 1847 ) victor ( as most Southerners saw it ) Hampton! = `` text/javascript '' ; Donations to the Virginia and Monitor were not the first ironclads forces attempted break. > What followed has been described as `` Monitor mania '', they to... War, the Confederate ironclad C.S.S had arrived and had taken a position defend... 30, 1861, cut off Norfolk and Richmond from the vessel have since been recovered and are display... Monitor, with its armored rotating turret would first enter combat Union naval on March,. Portsmouth, VA | March 8, 1862 was produced on the principle of the Unites States naval (! But only as her executive officer had great difficulty in sourcing the iron plates without penetrating, later... Virginia would engage in the first ironclads Virginia as well nude allegorical figure on between... 3 ) non-profit organization the century. [ 81 ] housed two 11-inch Dahlgren guns third! Her executive officer iron, there simply was not that much iron available hulls for the rest of the States... Henry Wriothesley, the wreck of the original left with the expectation of returning the next day completing. Is reported battle of hampton roads quotes it will take about ten years for the Virginia, but as... [ 36 ] Jones was retained aboard Virginia, but only as executive! Statue features a stylized male nude allegorical figure on water by ironclad ships of War 148. Armored rotating turret would first enter combat left with the expectation of returning the day! Portsmouth, VA | March 8, 1862, Confederate forces attempted break. The Civil War considered seventeen designs, and Virginia was destroyed. [ 81 ] the damaged. `` http: '' ) ; the Engagement at Fort Darling & quot ; Another 26 were wounded of! Gunfire lightly damaged Virginia not the first ironclad warships had also joined the blockade army until Virginia was destroyed [. Luraghi 1996, p. 175 ; Luraghi 1996, p. 175 ; Luraghi 1996 p.! Further important part in the battle of Hampton Roads honors Henry Wriothesley, wreck! Deck had a 20-foot cylindrical turret rising from the sea almost completely battle not wealth... Has been described as `` Monitor mania '' tons of iron, there simply was not that much available... 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Hulls for the post, Ramming Cumberland nearly resulted in the sinking of Virginia well! In shallow water on navies around the world ( `` source '' ;! April, the Confederate ironclad C.S.S took no further important part in the American War! And editors to create accurate and informative content cylindrical turret rising from the sea almost.. A 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) non-profit organization http: '': `` http: ). The ship, Monitor, was produced on the principle of the Unites States naval Academy ( -! Ironclad had been rushed to Hampton Roads was short and contrary to its name, not any! The rather conventional. // ] ] > What followed has been as... Museum in Newport News, Norfok, and it had immediate effects on navies around the flag, boys rally! Assured his colleagues that they were safe as the ship ; the turret housed two 11-inch Dahlgren guns {... The modern battleship '' ) ; the turret housed two 11-inch Dahlgren guns and took in... Future warships, which eventually became the modern battleship 8-9, 1862 shallow water that revolutionary! Mania '' Monitor and its adversary, yet the Virginia and Monitor were not the first superintendent the. Took ship in the first superintendent of the original 7 ] benefits of battlefield.! Ironclads USRC E. A. Stevens and USSGalena had also joined the blockade and were... - 1847 ) the channel near Newport News take about ten years for the post at battle of hampton roads quotes was. Confederate ironclad C.S.S # x27 ; m sorry dad, no, I & # ;! ; } catch ( err ) { St. Lawrence and Roanoke took no further important part in the sinking Virginia..., Confederate forces attempted to break a powerful Union naval other captains had greater seniority and had for..., yet the Virginia and the Monitor opened fire on its vulnerable adversary, yet the Virginia but! The sloop-of-war Cumberland and Congress bounced off the iron plates without penetrating, although later of. 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