New photography by Shannon Ruff captured with a digital camera-2007.

First Naval Combat Between Iron Vessels, Hampton Roads March 9Th 1862

Artist O. Pelton

Artist Charles Parsons (American, 1821-1910)

CultureAmerican

Date1862

Mediumwood engraving, paper

DimensionsOverall, Image: 4 1/2 x 7 1/16 in. (11.4 x 17.9 cm)
Overall: 5 3/4 x 9 1/8 in. (14.6 x 23.2 cm)
Overall, Mat: 14 1/4 x 19 1/4 in. (36.2 x 48.9 cm)

InscribedSigned on block "C. Parsons" in printed capitals above 'land' in Cumberland and Congress. Also "Entered According to act of Congress A.D. 1862 by Hurlbut Williams & Co, in the Clerks Office of the District Court of Connecticut". Ships named in margin below scene are: "Jamestown, Yorktown, Merrimac, Monitor, Cumberland, Congress and Minnesota".

Credit LineThe Chrysler Museum, Norfolk, VA

Object number47.25.3

Not on view

DescriptionIllustration from a book. A wood engraving of ships. The Monitor shows a clear deck with only U.S. flag flying and a gun firing from turret. The Merrimac also is firing and flying a white flag with three vertical stripes and a dark solid field. Two pair of davits, a railing around the upper deck and a smokestack with four struts can be seen.

Published ReferencesFIRST NAVAL COMBAT BETWEEN IRON VESSELS, 1862.