Office of Marine Programs
University of Rhode Island
Narragansett Bay Campus
Narragansett, RI 02882-1197
Phone: 401-874-6211
Fax: 401-874-6486
Email: OMP@gso.uri.edu
USS Monitor
Teacher: Eric Towle
Date: Saterday, July 15, 2006
Hello all! My name is Eric Towle and I am joining the crew of the Research Vessel Endeavor as part of the Rhode Island Teacher at Sea program. I will be taking my experiences back to my school, Curtis Corner Middle School in Wakefield Rhode Island and sharing with my students all that I have learned and especially how their education ties into so many facets of this mission.
I arrived at the University of Rhode Island Narragansett Bay Campus shortly before eight in the morning, a ten-minute drive from home. I am excited to be a part of a research trip that ties into such an intriguing part of American history. We will be using state of the art technology to map the USS Monitor shipwreck site.
The USS Monitor was a revolutionary ironclad vessel that lived a short but significant life. Briefly, the Confederate States Navy built the first working iron clad called the CSS Virginia. It was constructed out of the destroyed frigate the USS Merrimac. Upon its completion, it journeyed to what is called Hampton Roads and engaged the USS Congress and USS Cumberland, destroying both effectively. Three more ships were run aground. This is significant because it appeared the South could now break the blockade of the superior US navy. Theoretically this would allow supplies to arrive in the South and allow them to continue the fight more effectively. Perhaps enough to outlast the North and thereby gain its own independence and recognition by foreign countries. That night the USS Monitor arrived at Hampton Roads to protect the USS Minnesota. It lay in wait for the CSS Virginia (Merimac) the next day. As historians point out, the CSS Virginia made all the navies of the world obsolete in one day by wreaking havoc so easily. Interestingly enough the USS Monitor would arguably do the same to the CSS Virginia on the following day.
The USS Monitor did not sink the CSS Virginia, but due to the Monitors smaller draft, better speed and most famously, revolving turret, it neutralized the Virginias effectiveness that was so capably demonstrated the previous day. The Monitor full filled its mission to protect the US ships and fought the Virginia in a four-hour battle that ended in a draw.
Arguably it was a Northern victory because the status quo of the blockade aka Anaconda Plan remained intact. The South would therefore continue to struggle to adequately supply its army.
My first day was spent primarily getting associated with the ship, its crew, and my "sea legs". The highlight of the day occurred in the early evening as I was helping some of the crew with some adjustments to ARGUS. This is the unmanned submersible craft that collects all the data, video and still pictures. I was really just a wrench holder, but it felt good to be useful and get my mind off of my seasick stomach! Out of nowhere popped up this pod of dolphins, maybe 20 or so. They came right along the ship playing along the bow and even the stern where we were working. Some were as close as 15 feet. I got to thinking how strange it is that everyone has an affinity for dolphins. Virtually nobody dislikes dolphins. Maybe we are drawn to their playful, non-threatening curiosity. I later went to bed thinking I want to be more like that.
