Photo TR: The Mariners Museum's Ironclad Revolution

[cfc]

The remnants of Tropical Storm Barry hit southeastern Virginia last night, and it's been raining most of the day. So much for the yardwork I had planned to do. What a bitter disappointment.

 

So, I decided this was a good day to check out the new Monitor Center at the Mariners Museum in Newport News. The museum is the official home of the artifacts of the first Union ironclad warship, which makes sense because the first battle of the ironclads (the Monitor v. the CSS Virginia, the first confederate ironclad) took place in Hampton Roads (just a few miles away). The battle itself was a draw because neither ship had enough firepower to sink the other, but it did signal the end of the wooden warship (wood just couldn't beat iron).

 

The new center is something the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., would be proud to have. It's chock full of re-creations of both ships, actual artifacts (such as the Monitor's prop and gun turret), and some nice multimedia and interactive features (you can even design your own ironclad).

 

It's definitely worth a look if you're in the area. Here are some photos.

Unlike the Monitor, shown here, the "Awesome" has two turrets. More pics to come.

Ha! Prepare to feel the wrath of the "USS Awesome," Johnny Reb!

I took at stab at designing my own ironclad. How did I do?

This theatre features an impressive multimedia re-creation of the big battle. These giant gears rotate when the Monitor's turret is in action.

My, that's an awfully big gun you have there.

And here it is--sort of.

This Confederate sailor invites to see the inside of the Virginia.

The CSS Virginia was originally the USS Merrimack, a wooden ship. These rather pale gents are turning her into an ironclad.

This signal light was the last thing the Monitor's tow ship, the Rhode Island, saw when the ironclad went to visit Davy Jones.

They re-create the storm off Cape Hatteras, N.C., that sank the Monitor (this spot is known as the "Graveyard of the Atlantic"--the cape, not the theatre).

. . . to enter the exhibit.

You walk past the Monitor's actual anchor . . .

But why the hell are these sprinklers on? Barry is being quite generous with all his rain, you know.

At least all the rain is good for the landscaping.

Newport News's Mariners Museum is in the grip of Barry! Oh my God!

[cfc]

We continue our tour of the Monitor Center. Thanks for reading.

The Monitor's turret is in this huge tank, where it must be treated and preserved for a number of years before going on display.

Don't drop the anchor yet!

Old Glory waves from her stern.

I can tell you for a fact that this bell is very loud.

Shall we take a stroll on the deck?

Here's the Monitor's actual prop.

You know, it's really dangerous to play with guns.

It must've been pretty loud when these gears were turning.

And here's a cutaway view of the turret when it was brand spankin' new in 1862.

Here's how the turret looked when they pulled it from the sea.

Hmm--the Monitor's quarters were a bit nicer than I would've expected (at least for the officers).

[BeemerBoy]

Very very cool report, Chuck! I loves me some US maritime history.

[CommanderLock]

That place looks awesome.

[cfc]

^^There's quite a bit more to the Mariners Museum. It's nirvana for model-ship fans.