Spark History

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 3, we are going to embark on the first sea voyage of the ironclads and begin the Battle of Hampton Roads. Were the ships seaworthy? Was one of the titans sunk even before the battle began? Did the Union Blockade hold? How traditional wooden ships fare against an ironclad? Tune in to find out!

Map listing the locations and events of the Battle of Hampton Roads

The post #002.3 Ironclads: Start of the Battle of Hampton Roads. Part 3 appeared first on Spark History.

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 2, we review the North’s response in the new arms race and how they built their own ironclad vessel to destroy the South’s new superweapon. Built through the ingenious ship design of inventor John Ericsson, the USS Monitor would become the Union’s main challenger to the South’s Ironclad the Merrimack (also known as the CSS Virginia). It was no easy sailing; see the struggle the Union experienced as they tried to surpass the South in creating a new super weapon that could potentially make previous navies obsolete.

The post #002.2 Ironclads: The Monitor. Part 2 appeared first on Spark History.

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.

Grand stone structures were built for the defense of Kingdoms during the middle ages. We’ll take a closer look at the function and design of medieval castles and see what we can uncover. Beginning with the simple Motte and Bailey castles, how did they develop into the large fortifications that dominated the landscape by the late middle ages? Let’s take a peek inside the castle walls to learn about everyday activities and the lives of their occupants.

In Part 2, we explore the evolution of the castle from the more primitive designs featured in part 1, into stone keeps. What unique features of the stone keep differentiated it from earlier versions? How were castles constructed to defend themselves from being breached by attacking enemy forces? What unique features of the stone keep differentiated it from earlier versions? How were castles constructed to defend themselves from being breached by attacking enemy forces? What armaments were used offensively and defensively? View the challenges that a soldier would face when trying to surmount the defensive position of castle in order to achieve ultimate victory.

The post #001.2 Castles: Evolution of the Medieval Castle. Part 2 appeared first on Spark History.

Grand stone structures were built for the defense of Kingdoms during the middle ages. We’ll take a closer look at the function and design of medieval castles and see what we can uncover. Beginning with the simple Motte and Bailey castles, how did they develop into the large fortifications that dominated the landscape by the late middle ages? Let’s take a peek inside the castle walls to learn about everyday activities and the lives of their occupants.

The post #001.1 Castles: Why build a Medieval Castle? Part 1 appeared first on Spark History.