First Clash of the Ironclads - MONITOR and MERRIMACK
James Porter SpeakerNet Sponsor
- Regions:
- Somerset, Dorset, Devon, Wiltshire
- Notice Period:
- Short (maybe less than one month's notice)
- Type:
- Hobby
- Fee:
- Paid: £70 includes travel expenses.
- Category:
- History
- Updated:
- 28th July 2025
- Tagged:
- American Civil War | Naval History | Military History
On the 9th March 1862 the world's first battle between two ironclad warships took place in Hampton Roads, Virginia, during the American Civil War. Although both sides claimed victory, the battle was essentially inconclusive. What was not in doubt, however, was that the days of wooden warships were now over, and the future lay with iron and then steel. This talk covers the development by the Confederacy of an ironclad ship by transforming the MERRIMACK, a burnt-out wooden ship hulk with which it was hoped to break the Union navy's blockade. On the 8th March that ship destroyed two Union wooden warships and damaged others. The talk also describes the rushed development by the Union of their own ironclad - MONITOR - and its hurried voyage south to Virginia in which it nearly sank in a storm. The historic battle between the two ships is described in detail, as well as their subsequent fates. The talk lasts about an hour but may be adjusted if wished.
Views: 16 | Enquiries: 0About James Porter
I am a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel. I retired in 2011 after 41 years' service. I attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, received a BA (Hons) at Lancaster University, attended the Army Staff College, Camberley. I have commanded an infantry platoon, company and battalion, and served several tours of duty in Northern Ireland. I also served in West Germany, Berlin and the Falkland Islands. I am originally from Guernsey in the Channel Islands. I live in North Dorset. I offer more than 30 different Military History talks, which may be given face-to-face or via Zoom.
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- The Battle of Poitiers 1356
- Batterie MIRUS
- The Lochnagar Mine 1916
- Camouflage and Deception in War
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