An inconclusive engagement, but one that changed the face of naval warfare overnight. On Saturday 8th March, the Confederate ironclad CSS Virginia sank 2 Union heavy frigates and forced three more to run aground before the tide ebbed and she withdrew. She had taken several full broadsides from the pride of the Union navy without sustaining any substantial damage. The following day the Union ironclad USS Monitor, smaller with fewer guns, but more heavily armoured and mounting a turret apeared on the scene. The two ironclads then slugged it out for 4 hours until an undeclared stalemate was reached. Neither had seriously damaged the other, but given the performance of the ironclads, all wooden warships were now rendered obsolete.

Hampton Roads, at the mouth of the James River between Fort Monroe, Newport News, and the mouth of the Elizabeth River, Virginia. (USA)