Page:Memories of Virginia.djvu/125

 Constitution, was regarded "a wonder ship." To-day she is a "relic." But it was the mission of the Merrimac and Monitor to stand for the birth, and to be known as the progenitors of the new navy of destruction, 1862, but the scientific succession of expansion in art of naval armament and war, to stand a miracle of progress, is demonstrated, 1907, and one of the largest ship building yards in the world is located at Newport News, on Hampton Roads, where the first encounter between iron armored vessels of war took place. A sea fight between ironclads that revolutionized the navies of the world.

The Merrimac, built at Norfolk Navy Yard, commanded by Admiral Buchanan, of the Confederate States Navy, left Norfolk on its mission of experimental destruction March, 8, 1862, when the Federal Fleet was lying at anchorage at Newport News, six miles from Fortress Monroe; when, to the astonishment of the Federal officers, they saw issuing from the Elizabeth river a strange looking craft, a vessel of a new and unknown order, a black monster propelled by steam headed toward the fleet with hostile intentions, and before the character of the monster was realized, she hurled herself upon the Federal ships, crashing in the sides of the Congress and Cumberland like glass walls, the noble ships and gallant seamen fell prey to the monster and found watery graves in Hampton Roads on the very shore of safety.

The world was shocked over the sea tragedy, and the cause for effect was hard to explain and more hard to understand, and a sensation experienced unknown to our generation. Great sorrow was felt for sailors and ships that so