Failed Union Monitors

Presented by John V. Quarstein, Director Emeritus, USS Monitor Center

Lecture begins at 2:30 PM

Civil War lectures are free with Museum admission, but reserving a seat is suggested as seating is limited. Reserve seats below.

USS Monitor’s success in Hampton Roads in March 1862 prompted the US Navy to order additional ironclads. The PASSAIC and other subsequent classes like the CANONICUS-class helped the Union enforce the blockade of the Southern coast. Nevertheless, there were several other designs which were rather flawed. The steam-screw frigate USS ROANOKE was transformed into a three-turreted ironclad which was top-heavy and never used in action. The tower ironclad USS KEOKUK was not shot-proof and the CASCO-class featured several design modifications which were not successful as intended. These ironclads and more will be reviewed as part of the US Navy’s fleet expansion program.

Read more about our Civil War lectures here…