Terrific Engagement between the Monitor & the Merimac, March 9. 1862.

PrinterPrinted by E.B. & E.C. Kellogg American, 1840 - 1867

PublisherPublished by E.B. & E.C. Kellogg American, 1840 - 1867

PublisherPublished by Phelps & Watson American, 1859 - 1864

PublisherPublished by George Whiting American, 1820 - 1862

Date1862

MediumLithography; printer's ink and watercolor on wove paper

DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (image height x width): 8 5/8 x 13in. (21.9 x 33cm)
Sheet (height x width): 10 1/16 x 14 1/4in. (25.6 x 36.2cm)

ClassificationsGraphics

Credit LineGift of Samuel St. John Morgan

DescriptionTwo ironclad warships are side by side, firing at point blank range. Clouds of smoke partially conceal the larger vessel in the background. Cannon balls strike the water and the hulls and decks of the two ships. Four additional steamships are in the background. The nearest of them has three masts and rigging in addition to a smokestack. An American flag flies from a tall flag pole on the shore in the right background.

Object number1948.13.19

InscribedOn recto, lithographed title beneath image, "TERRIFIC ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN THE MONITOR & THE MERIMAC [sic], MARCH 9, 1862. / The Merimac [sic] being forced to retire and the Minnesota rescued from her perilous position. [leaf ornament] / 693." Captions inscribed in stone beneath the lower border of the image identify the "Merimac" "Monitor" "Minnesota" and "Newport News".

On verso, in pencil: upper left, "Print / Box 4 / #37"; lower left, "consv CPC 1987"; lower right, "Dwr 25 [crossed out] 27" and accession number. In red ink, "916".NotesSubject Note: The U.S.S. Merrimac was scuttled and burned when the Federal troops abandoned the Gosport Navy Yard in April 1861. The vessel was rebuilt as an ironclad and christened C.S.C. Virginia. She continued to be known as the Merrimac in the North. Note the correct spelling of the vessel's name (Merrimac, not Merimac). (Finlay 8/29/2003)

Subject Terms