Page:The Development of Navies During the Last Half-Century.djvu/100

 had slipped her anchor and got into shallow water, where the 'Merrimac,' owing to her deeper draught, could not follow. Her guns could reach, however, and the 'Congress' was set on fire, when she hauled her flag down. The 'Merrimac' then withdrew, intending to return the next day and destroy the rest of the squadron.

There was great consternation in the North at this event, but the means were at hand to arrest the Southern vessel in her triumphant career.

In August 1861 the Northern States had determined to obtain ironclad steam vessels, and at the end of that month Ericsson offered to construct in a few months a vessel which would destroy the rebel squadron. A board of officers was appointed to consider plans proposed, and in September it recommended that a vessel on Ericsson's design should be built. She was commenced in October, launched on January 30th, 1862, and completed on February 15th, 1862. The design provided for a hull not more than 2 ft. above the water, and with a flat bottom, that the draught might not exceed 10 ft. The sides, to a short distance below the water line, were protected with 4-in. plates. In the centre of the deck was built a circular turret, revolving on a central spindle, and protected with 8 in. of iron. Inside the turret were mounted two 11-in. smooth bore guns, pointing through port holes. They could thus fire in any direction without turning the vessel, an obvious advantage not only on the open sea but especially in narrow waters, for which she was more intended. Such was the famous