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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
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WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Photo # NH 91880-KN:  Battle between USS Monitor and CSS Virginia. Lithograph published in 1862.

Online Library of Selected Images:
EVENTS -- THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR -- ACTIONS IN HAMPTON ROADS - JAMES RIVER AREAS --

Action between USS Monitor and CSS Virginia, 9 March 1862 (Part II)


This page features more images of the battle between USS Monitor and CSS Virginia, on 9 March 1862. The artworks presented on this page generally depict one or both ships less accurately than those on the initial page in the series.

For other pictorial coverage of this action, see:

  • Action between USS Monitor and CSS Virginia, 9 March 1862 (Part II-A);
  • Action between USS Monitor and CSS Virginia, 9 March 1862 (Part III); and
  • Action between USS Monitor and CSS Virginia, 9 March 1862.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

    Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

    Photo #: NH 91880-KN (Color)

    "The First Battle between 'Iron' Ships of War."

    Lithograph published by Henry Bill, 1862, depicting the battle between USS Monitor and CSS Virginia (called "Merrimac" on the print), in Hampton Roads, 9 March 1862.
    Other ships shown are USS Cumberland (sinking, at left), CSS Jamestown and Yorktown (center distance), USS Congress (right center, behind Virginia) and USS Minnesota (right).
    This artwork is rather inaccurate in historical detail and orientation, showing the other ships generally much closer to the main action than was actually the case and including Cumberland and Congress, both of which had been sunk on the previous day.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 104KB; 740 x 520 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 42213-KN (Color)

    "Terrific Engagement Between the 'Monitor' 2 Guns, and 'Merrimac' 10 Guns, in Hampton Roads, March 9th 1862."
    "The First Fight between Iron Ships of War."
    "In which the Merrimac was crippled and the whole Rebel Fleet driven back to Norfolk."

    Color halftone copy of a lithograph by Currier & Ives, based on a drawing by F.E. Palmer, reproduced in the "U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings", December 1941.
    This view of the battle between USS Monitor and CSS Virginia (ex-USS Merrimack) also depicts these features: Newport News (far left distance); USS Minnesota (left middle distance); Fortress Monroe (left center distance); CSS Jamestown & CSS Yorktown (right middle distance); Sewalls Point (far left distance).
    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 129KB; 740 x 580 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 79549-KN (Color)

    Combat Naval Livre sur la Rade de Hampton entre l'Escadre Federale et une Division de la Marine Confederee"

    Colored lithograph by LeBreton, after a French officer's sketch, published in Paris, circa 1862. It depicts the 9 March 1862 battle between CSS Virginia (called "Merrimac" on the print) and USS Monitor.
    Also shown are CSS Jamestown (left distance), CSS Yorktown (center distance); USS Congress (right center distance); USS Cumberland (sunken in right center distance) and USS Minnesota (right). Congress had actually been set afire and destroyed by the Virginia on the previous day.

    Courtesy of the U.S. Navy Art Collection, Washington, D.C.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 76KB; 740 x 580 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 42215

    "Premier Combat du Cuirassé 'Monitor' avec 'Merrimac'"


    French lithograph in the Castello Sforzesco, Milan, Italy, circa the 1930s. It depicts the 9 March 1862 battle between USS Monitor and CSS Virginia.
    See Photo # NH 79549-KN for another version of this image.

    Courtesy of the Civica Raccota Della Stampe.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 89KB; 740 x 555 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 50216

    "Naval Conflict in Hampton Roads -- Action between the Monitor & Merrimac"


    Engraving after a painting by Alonzo Chappel, representing the battle between USS Monitor and CSS Virginia in Hampton Roads, Virginia, on 9 March 1862. Published by Johnson, Fry & Co., New York, in 1862, this depiction is rather inaccurate in scale and detail.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 122KB; 740 x 630 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 59224

    Two views of CSS Virginia in action, 8 & 9 March 1862


    Line engravings published in "The Soldier in Our Civil War", Volume 1, pages 246-47.
    The upper view depicts the 8 March 1862 action off Newport News, Virginia, in which Virginia sank USS Cumberland and set USS Congress afire.
    The lower view depicts the battle between Virginia and USS Monitor in Hampton Roads on 9 March 1862.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 101KB; 740 x 615 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 51793

    USS Monitor in action with CSS Virginia, 9 March 1862


    Photographic reproduction of a contemporary artwork. The original is mounted on a carte de visite.

    Courtesy of Mrs. W.E. Taylor, 1941. From the collection of Medical Inspector William E. Taylor, USN.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 77KB; 740 x 505 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 59221

    "The Ericsson Battery 'Monitor' driving off the 'Merrimac'"


    Line engraving published in "Harper's Weekly", January-June 1862, page 184-85, depicting the 9 March 1862 action in Hampton Roads, Virginia, between CSS Virginia and USS Monitor.
    The scene is rather inaccurate in scale and detail, most significantly showing other Federal warships much closer to the action than was actually the case.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 74KB; 740 x 330 pixels

     

    For other pictorial coverage of this action, see:

  • Action between USS Monitor and CSS Virginia, 9 March 1862 (Part II-A);
  • Action between USS Monitor and CSS Virginia, 9 March 1862 (Part III); and
  • Action between USS Monitor and CSS Virginia, 9 March 1862.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


    Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

    Page made 29 May 2001