On This Day March 8: Hampton Roads Battle Ends Wooden Navy Era Forever

On March 8, 1862, Hampton Roads, Virginia, became the stage for a naval clash that would change warfare at sea forever. The Confederate ironclad CSS Virginia (rebuilt from the captured Union scuttled steam frigate USS Merrimack) launched a devastating assault on the wooden Union warship. By ramming the USS Cumberland and setting the USS Congress ablaze, Virginia revealed the vulnerability of traditional wooden fleets and heralded the age of armored naval power.

Scuttled Frigate to Iron Monster

Virginia’s story began at the Norfolk Navy Yard, abandoned by Union forces in April 1861 during Virginia’s secession. The Union had scuttled the powerful 40-gun screw frigate Merrimack before fleeing. Confederate engineers, led by John L. Porter and backed by Secretary Stephen Mallory, saw potential in the wreck. They removed its burned upper works and encased the hull in two layers of iron (four inches thick overall), angled at 45 degrees to deflect incoming fire.

Commissioned on February 5, 1862, Virginia weighed 4,000 tons, carried ten guns (including six 9-inch Dahlgrens and two 7-inch Brooke rifles), and reached six knots under steam and sail. During trials, Union cannonballs bounced harmlessly off her iron plating.

Lieutenant John Taylor Wood called her “a floating fortress, impervious to the old navy.” Drawing inspiration from European experiments like France’s Gloire, Virginia became the first ironclad to wield such power in combat.

March 8: Virginia’s Rampage

At dawn, Flag Officer Franklin Buchanan led Virginia into Hampton Roads from the Elizabeth River. Union blockaders including USS Cumberland (24 guns) and USS Congress (50 guns) stood guard near Norfolk and Fort Monroe. Buchanan first targeted the Cumberland, the strongest ship off Newport News.

Virginia closed to point-blank range and unleashed broadsides. Cumberland’s shots bounced off; Virginia’s tore through oak hulls. When cannon fire wasn’t enough, Buchanan ordered a ramming attack at seven knots. Virginia’s reinforced prow pierced Cumberland’s starboard side, opening fatal gashes. By 9:30 a.m., Cumberland sank stern-first, claiming 121 crewmen, including Lt. George Morris, who stayed at his post.

Next, Virginia pounded the aground USS Congress, which surrendered after being set ablaze. Buchanan was wounded and relieved by Lieutenant Catesby ap Roger Jones, but Virginia withdrew at dusk with only light damage, having crippled the Union squadron and lifted Southern morale.

The Federals Strike Back: Monitor Arrives

The drama continued March 9, when the USS Monitor, the Union’s revolutionary “cheesebox on a raft,” arrived from New York. Designed by Swedish inventor John Ericsson, the low-freeboard ironclad featured a revolving turret with two 11-inch Dahlgrens and drew just 10 feet of water.

For four hours, the ironclads traded fire at 10–20 yards, neither able to pierce the other’s armor.

Monitor saved the Union fleet, though poor sea conditions prevented a follow-up attack. Virginia retired to Norfolk and was scuttled weeks later as Confederates evacuated.

The battle ended as a tactical draw but a strategic win for the Union, preserving its blockade.