Henrico's Iron: Ironclad Battles on the James River

The James River in eastern Henrico County serves as a watery grave for three mighty ships from the Civil War. Today, the CSS Richmond, Virginia II and Fredericksburg remain casualties from the James River Squadron and footnotes to America's struggle to unite its North and South. But during the War, they marked an advanced breed of armored ship. They were Ironclads that forever changed naval combat.

[@seansky2721]

Thanks to the men & women of the museum for keeping History, unpopular or otherwise, Alive to teach generations about ingenuity, honor and service! Now I have 3 more ideas for my little American model ship company! As if I needed more!

[@davidluck1678]

a very interesting stumble-upon. Well done and hope the least damaged of the squadron is eventually found and restored.

[@jonnie106]

Hampton Roads was a tactical draw as an engagement; however it was a US Naval strategic victory. Since Monitor fought Virginia to a draw, the wooden-sided blockade was relieved of the ironclad threat.

[@MatthewChenault]

It was a strategic victory for the Confederacy because it completely halted McClellan’s plans to assault Richmond and forced him to delay those plans for two months…

[@model-man7802]

What they are not telling you is the reason the Virginia went passed the Frigate Congress for the Cumberland was the Cumberland carried two of the heaviest guns the Union navy mounted on ships.If they could take the Cumberland they could take the bigger frigates around them.The Galena was removed from service later in the war.Its armor removed it was rerigged back to a sailing ship.

[@jonnie106]

@Model- Man The PhD lady pretty much told us exactly that at 11:38. She said Buchanan wanted to take out the biggest threat first. I think that threat and the guns you speak of, are in fact the same.

[@Ironchad1]

a couple facts are wrong
1: USS Monitor wasn't the first to have a turret
2:CSS Virginia was not the first IronClad
But the Monitors turret was when first turret made by the union
The CSS Virginia wasn't the first ironclad built by the Confederates, the Confederates made a ship called the CSS Manassas.

[@deoglemnaco7025]

Don’t believe in ironclads