Iron Dawn : The Monitor, the Merrimack, and the Civil War Sea Battle That Changed History

From acclaimed popular historian Richard Snow, who “writes with verve and a keen eye” (The New York Times Book Review), the thrilling story of the naval battle that not only changed the Civil War but the future of all sea power. No single sea battle has had more far-reaching consequences than the one fought in the harbor at Hampton Roads, Virginia, in March 1862. The Confederacy, with no fleet of its own, built an iron fort containing ten heavy guns on the hull of a captured Union frigate named the Merrimack. The North got word of the project when it was already well along, and, in desperation, commissioned an eccentric inventor named John Ericsson to build the Monitor, an entirely revolutionary iron warship—at the time, the single most complicated machine ever made. Abraham Lincoln himself was closely involved with the ship’s design. Rushed through to completion in just 100 days, it mounted only two guns, but they were housed in a shot-proof revolving turret. The ship hurried south from Brooklyn (and nearly sank twice on the voyage), only to arrive to find the Merrimack had arrived blazing that morning, destroyed half the Union fleet, and would be back to finish the job the next day. When she returned, the Monitor was there. She fought the Merrimack to a standstill, and saved the Union cause. As soon as word of the battle spread, Great Britain—the foremost sea power of the day—ceased work on all wooden ships. A thousand-year-old tradition ended, and the path to the naval future opened. Richly illustrated with photos, maps, and engravings, Iron Dawn is the irresistible story of these incredible, intimidating war machines. Historian Richard Snow brings to vivid life the tensions of the time, explaining how wooden and ironclad ships worked, maneuvered, battled, and sank. This full account of the Merrimack and Monitor has never been told in such immediate, compelling detail. From Acclaimed Popular Historian Richard Snow, The Thrilling Story Of The Naval Battle That Not Only Changed The Course Of The Civil War But The Future Of All Sea Power. No Single Sea Battle Has Triggered More Far-reaching Consequences Than The One Fought In The Harbor At Hampton Roads, Virginia, In March 1862. The Confederacy, With No Fleet Of Its Own, Built A Sloped Iron Fort Containing Ten Heavy Guns On The Hull Of A Captured Union Frigate Named The Merrimack. The North Got Word Of The Project When It Was Already Well Along, And, In Desperation, Secretly Commissioned An Eccentric Inventor Named John Ericsson To Build The Monitor, A Revolutionary Iron Warship--at The Time, The Single Most Complicated Machine Ever Made. Abraham Lincoln Himself Was Closely Involved With The Ship's Design. Rushed Through To Completion In Just One Hundred Days, It Mounted Two Lethal Guns Housed In A Shot-proof Revolving Turret. The New Warship Hurried South From Brooklyn (and Nearly Sank Twice On The Voyage), Only To Find The Merrimack Had Smokily Destroyed Half The Union Fleet That Morning And Would Be Back To Finish The Job The Next Day. When She Returned, The Monitor Was There. She Fought The Merrimack To A Thunderous, Blazing Standstill And Saved The Union Cause. As Soon As Word Of The Clamorous Battle Spread, Great Britain--the Foremost Sea Power Of The Day--ceased Construction Of All Wooden Warships. A Thousand-year-old Tradition Ended, And The Path To The Naval Future Opened.--from Dust Jacket. Terrible Havoc: March, 1862 -- Augury -- Disgrace -- The First Necessity -- Old Father Neptune -- The Once And Future Merrimack -- Guns -- The Power Of Alliteration -- The Entrepreneur -- The Inventor -- The Peacemaker -- Perfect Protection -- Something In It -- No Battle, No Money -- The Tardy Patriot -- Trial Run -- The Prisoner Takes Command -- Paymaster Keeler Comes East -- Like A Duck -- A Visit To Lincoln -- March 8: Iron Against Wood -- Frightful News -- The Short, Bad Voyage -- March 9: Iron Against Iron -- Victors -- Echoes -- Hawthorne Visits The Future -- Tatnall's Turn -- Lincoln In The Field -- Not The Way To Richmond -- Doldrums -- Hatteras -- Landfall. Richard Snow. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. "An utterly absorbing account of one of history's most momentous battles" ( Forbes ) that not only changed the Civil War but the future of all sea power—from acclaimed popular historian Richard Snow, who "writes with verve and a keen eye" ( The New York Times Book Review ). No single sea battle has had more far-reaching consequences than the one fought in Hampton Roads, Virginia, in 1862. The Confederacy, with no fleet of its own, took a radical step to combat the Union blockade, building an iron fort containing ten heavy guns on the hull of a captured Union frigate named the Merrimack . The North got word of the project, and, in panicky desperation, commissioned an eccentric inventor named John Ericsson to build the Monitor , an entirely revolutionary iron warship. Rushed through to completion in just one hundred days, it mounted only two guns, but they were housed in a shot-proof revolving turret. The ship hurried south from Brooklyn, only to arrive to find the Merrimack had already sunk half the Union fleet—and would be back to finish the job. When she returned, the Monitor was there. She fought the Merrimack to a standstill, and, many believe, saved the Union cause. As soon as word of the fight spread, Great Britain—the foremost sea power of the day—ceased work on all wooden ships. A thousand-year-old tradition ended and the naval future opened. Richly illustrated with photos, maps, and engravings, Iron Dawn "renders all previous accounts of the encounter between the Monitor and the Merrimack as obsolete as wooden war ships" ( The Dallas Morning News ). Richard Snow brings to vivid life the tensions of the time in this "lively tale of science, war, and clashing personalities" ( The Wall Street Journal ). From acclaimed popular historian Richard Snow, the thrilling story of the naval battle that not only changed the course of the Civil War but the future of all sea power. No single sea battle has triggered more far-reaching consequences than the one fought in the harbor at Hampton Roads, Virginia, in March 1862. The Confederacy, with no fleet of its own, built a sloped iron fort containing ten heavy guns on the hull of a captured Union frigate named the Merrimack. The North got word of the project when it was already well along, and, in desperation, secretly commissioned an eccentric inventor named John Ericsson to build the Monitor, a revolutionary iron warship -- at the time, the single most complicated machine ever made. Abraham Lincoln himself was closely involved with the ship's design. Rushed through to completion in just one hundred days, it mounted two lethal guns housed in a shot-proof revolving turret. The new warship hurried south from Brooklyn (and nearly sank twice on the voyage), only to find the Merrimack had smokily destroyed half the Union fleet that morning and would be back to finish the job the next day. When she returned, the Monitor was there. She fought the Merrimack to a thunderous, blazing standstill and saved the Union cause. As soon as word of the clamorous battle spread, Great Britain -- the foremost sea power of the day -- ceased construction of all wooden warships. A thousand-year-old tradition ended, and the path to the naval future opened.-- From dust jacket