The Monitor and the Merrimac : Both sides of the story

This volume brings the dramatic clash of ironclads at Hampton Roads to life through the eyes of those who lived it. Lieutenant Worden and Lieutenant Greene recount the Union’s hurriedly built Monitor, describing its experimental turret, limited powder loads, and the uneasy tension of defending a wooden fleet. Their narrative captures the urgency of a ship that seemed more a floating laboratory than a war machine, while hinting at the political and logistical battles that shaped its creation.

On the Confederate side, chief engineer H. Ashton Ramsay offers a vivid, technical portrait of the daring iron ram Merrimac. He explains the craft’s bold design, the challenges of handling its massive engines, and the fierce resolve of the crew as they pressed toward the Union line. Together, these firsthand accounts let listeners hear the clang of metal, the roar of engines, and the personal courage that defined a pivotal moment in naval history.