In March of 1862; the CSS Virginia of the Confederate States Navy destroyed two of the most formidable warships in the U.S. Navy. Suddenly; with this event; every wooden warship in every navy in the world became totally obsolete. Conceived in the fertile minds of such men as John L. Porter; Stephen R. Mallory; and John M. Brooke; and constructed from the sunken and charred remains of the USS Merrimack; the Virginia in one afternoon changed the course of naval warfare forever. Described here in detail are: the mechanical difficulties uncovered during the Merrimack's early world cruises; the desperation and panic that led to her commitment to the flames along with the Gosport Navy Yard; the mad scramble by the Confederates to resurrect her as an ironclad warship; the heart-stopping two-day Battle of Hampton Roads where she destroyed two Union warships; damaged a third; and fought the equally innovative USS Monitor to a draw. Within two months; surrounded by an advancing enemy and unable to escape; she was scuttled by her own crew. Utilizing previously unpublished sources; the authors have pieced together a fascinating and unparalleled account of her de-sign; construction; commitment to battle; and final destruction.
#9751624 in Books 2003-06Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 .40 x 6.38 x 8.46l; #File Name: 1571973494139 pages
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