On the morning of December 29, 1862, the Monitor was prepared for sea. She was to be transferred to another blockade and would be traveling south down the Atlantic seaboard. The turret was “keyed up” and a plaited tarred hemp gasket was placed between the turret and the brass deck ring in the recess. The gun ports had their huge iron pendulums secured in position. Wood bucklers were bolted to the outside of the turret covering the open gunports and then caulked tight. The turret was revolved so the gun ports were abeam, and then it was set down on the gasket. Everything loose inside of the turret was secured or stowed below for rough seas. The two massive 11-inch Dahlgren shell guns were slid to midships, their carriage compressors tightened, and all tackle drawn tight and secured. A temporary helm was rigged on top of the turret and tested.

The shot and shell from the CSS Virginia tore through the unarmored wooden hull of the USS Cumberland as if it was made of paper. Each shell that ripped into her unprotected interior carried with it huge splinters that dealt death and destruction in wholesale fashion. Acting Masters Mate Charles O’Neil aboard the Cumberland wrote, “Several shot and shell entered on one side and passed out through the other carrying everything before them.” Master Moses S. Stuyvesant Later described the scene as, “A scene of carnage and destruction never to be recalled without horror. . . . The once clean and beautiful deck was slippery with blood, blackened with powder and looked like a slaughter house.” Newspapermen watching the action from shore recalled the scene, “Now she [the Virginia] nears the Cumberland sloop of war, silent and still, weird and mysterious, like some devilish and superhuman monster, or the horrid creation of a nightmare. Now but a biscuit toss from the ship, and from the sides of both pour out a living tide of fire and smoke, of solid shot and heavy shell. We see from the ships scuppers running streams of crimson gore.” Approximately two hours of this action occurred when Lieutenant John Taylor Wood of the Virginia declared, “No ship ever fought more gallantly” as the Cumberland slipped beneath the waves. It was 3:35 P.M. when the order to abandon the Cumberland was given. She settled on the bottom with her masts still showing above the surface, her flag flying smartly. It was now the Congress’ turn to die.

The 1997 Monitor Survey Expedition was carried out between the dates of July 27, 1997 and August 2, 1997. Even with marginal ocean conditions, our successful visit to the Sanctuary was accomplished.

27 July 1997

The wreck of the USS Monitor is perhaps the most famous in the United States. The site became the first Marine Sanctuary designated by the United States Government on January 30, 1975. Since that time, many research dives have been conducted in an effort to help preserve this historic landmark. The Cambrian Foundation is proud to be a participant in the efforts to preserve and protect this most fragile piece of American history.