Monitor, USS
An ironclad Union ship, with an armored revolving gun turret, that engaged in the famous naval battle of ironclads during the Civil War. Early on March 9, 1862, the CSS Virginia opened fire on the Minnesota, which it had run aground the day before, and the Monitor appeared. Both ships were hard to maneuver and the crews were untrained, so much of the firing, as the ships passed back and forth on opposite courses, was ineffective. Finally, the Virginia hit the pilothouse of the Monitor, and John Worden, the commander of the Monitor, was blinded by iron splinters driven into his eyes. As the disabled Monitor wandered into shallow water, the Virginia again opened fire on the Minnesota, but, because of a leak and low ammunition, eventually headed for its navy yard about 12:30 P.M.
See the Introduction, Abbreviations and Pronunciation for further details.
