Page:The Development of Navies During the Last Half-Century.djvu/102

 ' left New York under the command of Lieutenant Worden, and after a somewhat stormy passage she arrived at Hampton Roads on the evening of the 8th. The next morning when the 'Merrimac' appeared again, bent on destruction, those on board descried a strange-looking object, an iron tower, apparently, on the surface of the water. Then the low hull was made out, and a dash made for this new opponent. The battle then began, but it was soon apparent that the 'Merrimac's' ordnance could make no impression on the turret of the 'Monitor,' and there was little else to hit. The casemate of the 'Merrimac,' however, offered a good mark, and almost every shot of the other took effect somewhere. After two hours' pounding the 'Merrimac' hauled out of action, having sustained considerable injury, and, owing to orders previously given, the ’Monitor' allowed her to depart. But the principal object had been gained, and the 'Merrimac' gave no further trouble. The 'Monitor' was struck twenty times, of which nine hits were on the turret, but the injury done was trifling. Great rejoicings took place throughout the North at this event, and it was believed this new method of naval construction would supersede all others. It certainly exercised a powerful influence in more than one country.

But an essential quality was lacking in the 'Monitor,'—seaworthiness. Steaming against a moderate wind and sea, the water swept over her like a deluge, and found its way down the funnels and any aperture leading to the interior. A few months after