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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
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WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Photo # NH 58723:  Currier & Ives lithograph of the destruction of CSS Virginia.

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- SHIPS of the CONFEDERATE STATES --

CSS Virginia (1862-1862), ex-USS Merrimack --
Miscellaneous Actions & Activities

In addition to her 8-9 March battles with Federal warships Cumberland, Congress and Monitor, CSS Virginia took part in a few other actions during her brief career. Among these were two efforts to produce a rematch between the opposing ironclads, in the hope that a Confederate victory would free Hampton Roads and the lower Chesapeake Bay of Union domination, or that a triumph by the Union ship would open the James River as an avenue to attack Richmond, the Southern capital city.

The first of these attempts happened on 11 April 1862, when Confederate ships advanced into Hampton Roads. CSS Jamestown and CSS Raleigh steamed ahead and seized three exposed transports, while Virginia covered their movements. Since the Southern ironclad did not directly threaten the principal Union positions, USS Monitor refused the challenge and no general action ensued.

Just short of a month later, on 8 May, Monitor and other Federal ships shelled Confederate batteries at Sewell's Point to test their strength, and, hopefully, provoke Virginia to come out far enough to be ambushed. This time, the Confederates chose the path of caution.

However, by early May Southern commanders had decided to evacuate Norfolk. This was tardily reported to the local Confederate Navy leader, Captain Josiah Tattnall, leaving him with few options concerning Virginia's future. If her considerable draft could be reduced by several feet, she might be able to steam out of Norfolk and up the James far enough to help protect Richmond. If not, she would have to be destroyed to avoid capture. As it turned out, the ship could not be lightened enough in the short time available, and on 11 May, CSS Virginia was run aground near the entrance to the Elizabeth River, abandoned and set afire. She was destroyed when the flames reached her gunpowder supplies.

This page features all our views of CSS Virginia's actions & activities, other than her battles with USS Congress, USS Cumberland and USS Monitor.

For more pictorial coverage of, or relating to, CSS Virginia, see:

  • CSS Virginia (1862-1862), ex-USS Merrimack.


    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 58847

    CSS Virginia (ex-USS Merrimack) and CSS Germantown off Craney Island, Virginia, circa March-May 1862


    Line engraving, published in the "Harper's Weekly", 1862.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 136KB; 740 x 480 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 59220

    "The Octorora & Naugatuck shelling the Merrimac"


    Line engraving published in "Harper's Weekly", January-June 1862, page 277, depicting the gunboats Octorara and Naugatuck firing on Confederate warships, including CSS Virginia, near Fortress Monroe, Virginia, circa March 1862.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 135KB; 740 x 475 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 59214

    CSS Virginia (1862)
    (in center)

    Print published in Fiveash, "Virginia-Monitor Engagement", Norfolk, Virginia, 1907, depicting CSS Virginia entering Hampton Roads with other Confederate warships, 11 April 1862. USS Monitor (right center) and other Federal warships and fortifications are also shown. Battle was avoided on this occasion.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 94KB; 740 x 520 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 59218

    USS Monitor (1862)
    (at left)

    Line engraving published in "Harper's Weekly", January-June 1862, page 277, depicting Monitor standing off Fortress Monroe as CSS Virginia (left center distance) and her consorts enter Hampton Roads on 11 April 1862.
    Sewell's Point is shown in the left distance.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 73KB; 900 x 265 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 58756

    Bombardment of Sewell's Point, Virginia, 8 May 1862


    Print published in Fiveash, "Virginia-Monitor Engagement", Norfolk, Virginia, 1907. It depicts USS Monitor (at left) accompanied by the Federal warships Naugatuck, Dacotah, Seminole and Susquehanna (listed in no particular order, and depicted rather inaccurately), firing on the Confederate batteries at Sewell's point, near Norfolk.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 127KB; 740 x 560 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 59213

    Bombardment of Sewell's Point, Virginia, 8 May 1862


    Print published in Fiveash, "Virginia-Monitor Engagement", Norfolk, Virginia, 1907. It depicts CSS Virginia (at left) making her appearance near Craney Island as USS Monitor (left center) and other Federal warships withdraw after bombarding Sewell's Point, near Norfolk. The other U.S. Navy ships presented included Naugatuck, Dacotah, Seminole and Susquehanna.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 116KB; 740 x 555 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 1057

    CSS Virginia's Last Engagement, 8 May 1862


    Painting after a sketch made on the scene by Colonel Samuel Wetherill, 11th Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, depicting the Virginia's sortie to challenge Federal ships that had been bombarding the Confederate batteries at Sewall's Point.

    Presented by Mrs. M.K.W. Davis, Colonel Wetherill's daughter, 15 June 1939.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 67KB; 740 x 470 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 42217

    Burning of CSS Virginia, 11 May 1862


    Painting after a sketch made on the scene by Colonel Samuel Wetherill, 11th Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, depicting the destruction of Virginia by her crew, off Craney Island, Virginia.

    Presented by Mrs. M.K.W. Davis, Colonel Wetherill's daughter, 15 June 1939.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 67KB; 740 x 500 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 59335

    Destruction of CSS Virginia, 11 May 1862


    Halftone reproduction of an artwork, published in Fiveash, "Virginia-Monitor Engagement", Norfolk, Va., 1907, depicting Virginia abandoned and burning off Craney Island, Virginia.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 136KB; 740 x 565 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 58723

    "Destruction of the Rebel Monster 'Merrimac' off Craney Island May 11th 1862"


    Lithograph published by Currier & Ives, New York, circa 1862, depicting the explosion of CSS Virginia (ex-USS Merrimack) after she was set afire by her crew to prevent capture.

    Courtesy of the Beverly Robinson Collection, U.S. Naval Academy Museum, Annapolis, Maryland.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 173KB; 740 x 600 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 58724

    "Destruction of the Confederate Ironclad 'Merrimack', Blown Up by Her Commander, May 11th, 1862"


    Line engraving, published in the "Soldier in Our Civil War", Volume I, page 248, depicting the explosion of CSS Virginia (ex-USS Merrimack) off Craney Island, Virginia.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 100KB; 740 x 480 pixels

     

    For more pictorial coverage of, or relating to, CSS Virginia, see:

  • CSS Virginia (1862-1862), ex-USS Merrimack.


    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 25 May 2001
    Minor caption correction 21 June 2001