Monitor and Merrimack

Monitor and Merrimack, pioneer ironclad warships that fought the world's first battle between iron-armored vessels, at Hampton Roads, Va., on Mar. 9, 1862, during the U.S. Civil War. The Merrimack was a scuttled Union steam frigate, salvaged by the Confederates and renamed the Virginia. The Union's Monitor was equipped with a revolving gun turret. Neither vessel was victorious in the engagement.