PDF Religion and Orientalism in Asian Studies by From Ingramcontent in History

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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.