Ironclad ship battle

[JMadonna]

(04-17-2013 07:00 PM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote:  I read (can't remember where) that - although inconclusive - the ironclad ship battle on March 9, 1862, was the beginning of the modern war aera. The British, who previously had regarded their armada (also including ironclads) as the superior one, were shocked and alerted and especially considered the northern "Monitor" to be unbeatable. WHY? I'd also like to know if it was, like the Merrimac, an originally wooden ship rebuilt with iron all around or if it was entirely made of steel?

The Monitor was a new ship from the ground up. What shocked the British was the turret. It could point it's gun in any direction as opposed to wooden or ironclad wooden ship who still relied on broad sides. The Monitor was not only protected by it's armor but could move to the blind-side of it's opponent's guns and unleash it's power effectively.