The Monitor Boys. Officers on deck. The Mariners’ Museum P0001.014-01–PN5987
After the ironclad’s showdown with CSSVirginiaon March 9, 1862, USSMonitorwas considered the ‘little ship that saved the nation.’ TheMonitorcontinued to serve in Virginia waters until September 30 when the ironclad was sent to Washington Navy Yard for much needed repairs. The ship’s complement changed due to desertion and re-assignment; nevertheless, it left the yard on November 8 to return to Hampton Roads. Having received a variety of improvements,Monitorwas positioned off of Newport News Point, guarding against any excursion by the Confederate ironclad CSSRichmond.
在1862年10月,号Monitorwas at the Washington Navy Yard for some maintenance and repairs. A commemorative inscription was stamped onto the breech of both ofMonitor‘s XI-Inch Dahlgren shell guns at this time to celebrate the Battle of Hampton Roads by recognizing the important men and vessels that participated in the conflict.
The port Dahlgren was inscribed: “WORDEN. MONITOR & MERRIMAC.”Read more
"My dear Taylor, present my friendly greeting to your sons, and give them the enclosed $10, to purchase materials for a glorious noise. Your friend, John Ericsson." Recieved July 4th, 1887. From The Mariners' Museum Collection.
你好everyone, and welcome back to the library blog. The 4th of July is a special day for all Americans: young and old, immigrant or native born, we can all share in the love of liberty that our Independence Day celebrates. John Ericsson, a Swedish immigrant and inventor of the USSMonitor, was no different. Although he was seen as by the public as veing arrogant, cold, hard edged and antisocial, Ericsson had a softer side as well. In a letter to his friend and personal secretary Samuel Taylor, Ericsson includes a gift to help Taylor’s family enjoy the festivities.
Ericsson’s letter means more than just entertainment for Taylor’s children. His kind gift and thoughtful gesture shows just that Ericsson was not the cold, haughty engineer that everyone thought him to be. He was also a man who could open his heart to others, and who felt how special our Independence Day can be. Perhaps we can take inspiration from his letter as we gather with friends and family this 4th of July to celebrate what it means to be an American. After all, what could be more American than helping kids launch fireworks?Read more
This past week the 30,000 gallon tank containingMonitor’s steam engine was drained for a key milestone in the conservation of this unique artifact. The purpose for the tank drain was the installation of a new support system under the engine that will enable the eventual disassembly of the object. Up to this week, the engine which weighs approximately 25 tons, had been suspended off the ground from a massive I-bean supported on large steel posts. In the images below, you can see the engine before and after recent deconcretion efforts suspended from the I-beam.
The Mariners’ Museum andMonitorConservation Project were fortunate to attract the attention of John Tierney and the New York Times. John visited the museum on two recent occasions and published an article about theMonitorin the NY Times on August 8.
The article coincides with the 150th anniversary of the publication (in the NY Times and other papers) of the Union Navy’s call for “Iron-Clad Steam Vessels” on August 9, 1861. Check it out his great article here:Read more
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