Ironclad
The Epic Battle, Calamitous Loss and Historic Recovery of the USS Monitor
“A thrilling re-creation of an epic moment in naval history…”
The small, ungainly iron ship may have saved the union. Then in a vicious winter storm, it plunged into the depths of the Atlantic, seemingly lost forever. But 140 years later, after a 50-year search-and-recovery mission, its ponderous iron turret reemerged, dripping, from a rusting grave, returning priceless bits of history.
In Ironclad, journalist Paul Clancy weaves three great sea adventures into a single mesmerizing tale of life and death. Naval heroism, the cold heart of battle, a killing storm, deep-water salvage, flesh-and-blood history—Ironclad has it all.
“Paul Clancy’s masterful investigation into the recovery of the Monitor is a thrilling re-creation, making for a satisfying story of men—and women—on the high seas.”
–Peter Nichols, author, A Voyage for Madmen and Evolution’s Captain
“Ironclad is solid history written in riveting, heart-pounding prose.”
–John B. Hightower, President & CEO, The Mariner’s Museum
“Ironclad is a fascinating glimpse into our nation’s history—an engrossing story of heroism, human ingenuity, and intrigue wrapped in a great adventure.”
–Kevin F. McMurray, author, Deep Descent and Dark Descent
“Get ready for two terrific true yarns—past and present—knitted into one masterfully told tale of a Civil War ironclad.”
–The Ensign Magazine
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Photos from the Cover
Navy divers celebrate on board the barge Wotan as the turret of the USS Monitor breaks the surface Monday, Aug. 5, 2002, off the coast of Hatteras, N.C. The silt-packed gun turret of the Civil War ironclad vessel was raised Monday from the floor of the Atlantic, nearly 140 years after the historic warship sank during a storm. (Steve Earley / The Virginian-Pilot)
The Monitor's 1862 crew
Captain-select Bobbie Scholley, the commanding officer of the Navy's Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit, waits to make a dive on the USS Monitor on Monday, July 1, 2002. ( Steve Earley / The Virginian-Pilot )
The submersible Johnson-Sea-Link II is retrieved from a dive to survey the site of the USS Monitor off of Cape Hatteras on Tuesday, June 25. 2002. The wreck lies in 240 feet of water. ( Steve Earley / The Virginian-PIlot _ cq
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I have in my possession two different copies of the Battle.
1. A True Description of the Fight Between the “Merrimac” and “Monitor” in Hampton Roads, Va., Sunday, March the 9th, 1862. As witnessed By CAPT. TOM SMITH, an old Blockade Runner.
2. The FIRST IRON CLAD NAVAL ENGAGEMENT in the WORLD History of Facts of the great Naval Battle Between The MERRIMAC-VIRGINIA C.S.N and The ERICSSON MONITOR U.S.N. HAMPTON ROADS March 8&9, 1862.
This booklet was in the possession of my late aunt, Rose R. Vipond
This story intrigues me because my grandmother (Rosa Willnett) and great-grandmother (Rosa Selena) were Smiths from Newport News