Two ships that changed the course of history during the American Civil War: The Monitor and the Merrimack. Many historians believe that the Battle of Hampton Roads in 1862 was a defining point in naval history with the transition from wooden sailing vessels to the age of steam and iron. The first Iron armored ships experienced a trial by fire in the war and proved the effectiveness of metal as a shipbuilding material instead of just wood.

In Part 1, we explore details of the Confederate South’s bid to design and construct the first Ironclad of the war to take on the Union naval blockade draining the South of precious resources.

The post #002.1 Ironclads: The First Armored Ships of the American Civil War. Part 1 appeared first on Spark History.