The USS Monitor, rushed to completion by Erricson in just 4 months to counter the CSS Virginia being built at Norfolk Navy yard. After a harrowing trip from New York, she arrived at Hampton Roads on the evening of March 8, 1862. The Virginia had attacked the blockading fleet that day, sinking the USS Cumberland and USS Congress before retiring for the evening.The next morning, the Monitor placed herself between the Virginia and her remaining victims and their historic battle took place.

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