1-155-323 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

Battle between the 'Monitor' and the 'Merrimac', American Civil War, 1862 (1864). The Battle of Hampton Roads, Virginia, which was fought on 8-9 March 1862, featured the first engagement between two powered ironclad warships. The Confederate 'Merrimac' (left), having previously sunk two Union ships in an attempt to break through their blockade, fought the Union 'Monitor' in a battle lasting 9 hours. The outcome was inconclusive, with neither vessel able to seriously damage the other, but the nature of naval warfare had been changed for ever.