#battleofhamptonroads

[noaasanctuaries]

On March 9, 1862, the USS Monitor entered into one of the most important naval battles in American history: the Battle of Hampton Roads. 

This battle represented the first U.S. battle in which two ironclad ships went head to head, and while the battle was a draw, it made abundantly clear that the era of wooden warships was coming to a close. Today, the resting place of the USS Monitor is protected by Monitor National Marine Sanctuary! Visitors to the area can view artifacts recovered from the ship and a full scale replica of the Monitor's turret at The Mariners' Museum and Park in Newport News, Virginia. (Photo: Library of Congress. Image description: A painting of the first battle of iron ships.)

[broomclosetbrew]

My back has been killing me all week. Thankfully the pain is starting to ease but sitting is still the most comfortable position for me. Decided to sneak in a cigar by the fire before the next storm rolls through tomorrow so I grabbed this bottle of Isaac Bowman Port Barrel finished bourbon and a Tatuaje 2021 Cojonu cigar. The whiskey has some nice notes of cashew, berries, and stone fruit. .... On this day, March 9, 1862, two ironclade ships locked in battle for the first time when the USS Monitor met the CSS Virginia (built on the hull of the USS Merrimack). The Virginia had already worked her way through the federal blockade by destroying the USS Congress and USS Cumberland as well as setting the USS Minnesota a fire after she ran aground on March 8. The Monitor was able to come up and position herself to defend the Minnesota in the night. When the Virginia returned on March 9 they found a strange ship looking like a "cheese on a raft". The first shot was fired by the Virginia and missed the Monitor hitting the Minnesota which answered with a broadside. The two ships traded blows for three hours, often at point blank range, with the Virginia grounding at 10 am. The battle ended when a shell exploded against the Monitor's pilot house, blinding her Captain temporarily. The XO took over but in the temporary moment when the Monitor briefly retired the Virginia believed their opponent had withdrawn. With a falling tide and enough damage requiring repair the Virginia withdrew. With the Virginia's withdrawal and orders to protect the Minnesota the Monitor did not pursue her opponent. In the end each side claimed victory. The Virginia would be scuttled on May 9 to prevent her capture and the Monitor was lost in a storm off Cape Hatteras on December 31. ... "The Merrimac was some, till the Monitor she come, And opened up her little ports so handy, O! Then the shot did fly, till the Merrimac's men did cry: Here's the Devil sure, or Yankee Doodle Dandy, O!" - The Monitor & Merrimac, traditional .... #onthisday #thisdayinhistory #battleofhamptonroads #ironclad #civilwar #cigar #CigarLover #CigarAfficionado #sailorandsticks #whiskey #bourbon #whiskeyandhistory (at Coastal San Pedro) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpmDl3PO8Ws/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=