1862: the saturday evening post reports on the monitor and the merrimack | the saturday evening post

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER The best of _The Saturday Evening Post_ in your inbox! During the Civil War, the _Post _ran a report on the terrifying power of the new ironclads. > The dullness of Old 

Point was startled at 10 o’clock today by the > announcement that a mysterious vessel, supposed to be the Rebel > steamer _Merrimack_, and looking like a submerged house, with the >

 roof only above the water, was moving down from Norfolk by the > channel in front of Sewall’s Point. There was nothing protruding > above the water but the flagstaff, flying the Rebel

 flag, and a > short smokestack. >  > She steamed direct for the _Cumberland_ and _Congress_. As soon as > the _Merrimack _came within range of the _Cumberland_, the latter > 

opened on her with her heavy guns, but the balls struck and glanced > off, having no more effect on her than peas from a popgun. >  > The _Merrimack_ ran into the _Cumberland_, 

striking her about > midship and literally laying open her side. She then drew off, fired > a broadside into the disabled ship, and again dashed against her > with her ironclad prow

 and knocking in her side, left her to sink. >  > The _Monitor_ arrived at 10 o’clock that night. The battle > renewed at seven o’clock the next morning when the _Merrimack_, > 

accompanied by two wooden steamers and several tugs, opened fire. >  > The _Monitor_ met them at once, and opened her fire. These two > ironclad vessels fought, part of the time 

touching each other, from > 8 o’clock till noon, when the _Merrimack _retired. Whether she > is injured or not it is impossible to say. –”Monitor _Drives the Rebels Back,” March 15,

1862_ _This article is featured in the January/February 2021 issue_ of The Saturday Evening Post_. Subscribe to the magazine for more art, inspiring stories, fiction, humor, and features

from our archives._ SUBSCRIBE AND GET UNLIMITED ACCESS TO OUR ONLINE MAGAZINE ARCHIVE. _FEATURED IMAGE:  IRONS IN THE FIRE:_ The Monitor _and the_ Merrimack _face off in the Chesapeake Bay.

The development of the ironclad changed the way warships were built round the world. (Shutterstock)_ Become a Saturday Evening Post member and enjoy unlimited access. Subscribe now