The fighting was fierce in Williamsburg on this day 150 years ago, but in Hampton Roads, it was another dreary day on the Monitor. Mechanics still worked on the pilothouse and the men wondered what the strange lights were at Craney Island… Remarks Monday May 5th/62     From Midnight to 4 A.M. Fresh breeze [...]

Remarks  Thursday May 1st /62   From Midnight to 4 A.M. Very thick foggy weather, wind light from Eastward with drizzling rain & lightning                                                                                                                                                                                            Geo. Frederickson     From 4 to 8 AM. Light variable air with thick foggy weather                            William Flye   From 8 to Meridian Light air & variable with rain showers [...]

You will recall on 21 April 1862, the booby hatch arrived, but did not fit. Today, it returns. Presumably, it fit this time, as there is no further mention of it in the logbook. Remarks Wednesday April 30th /62   From Midnight to 4 A.M. Light easterly wind & dense fog                                             William Flye     From [...]

Remarks Monday April 28th /62   From Midnight to 4 A.M. Wind light from N.E & foggy                                                 L.N. Stodder     From 4 to 8 A.M. Light & gentle breeze from N.N.E & cloudy weather            Geo. Frederickson     From 8 to Meridian Light airs from Eastward & pleasant received on board Iron pipes for [...]

Some of the Monitor crew might have enjoyed seeing their former ship, the USS Sabine, arrive in Hampton Roads on this day. At least 10 crewmen from the Sabine volunteered for service on the USS Monitor when Lt. John Lorimer Worden made the request. The Monitor also was hostess to another distinguished visitor – Caleb Blood Smith, the Secretary [...]

Remarks  Wednesday April 23rd /62   From Midnight to 4 A.M. Begins with fine pleasant weather gentle breezes from westward                                                                                                                                         Geo. Frederickson       From 4 to 8 A.M. Wind & weather same                                                 William Flye     From 8 A.M. to Meridian Wind W.S.W. fine clear weather, our tug being left by the Capt [...]

Remarks  Saturday April 19th/62   From Midnight to 4 A.M. Light breeze from S.W. & cloudy                              Geo. Frederickson     From 4 to 8 AM Moderate breeze from S.W. & pleasant latter part cloudy with sprinkling rain                                                                                                                                                                                                                             William Flye     From 8 to Meridian Light winds from south & cloudy weather with light [...]

Boys will be boys – and the Monitor boys were no exception.  In todays log entry, we see that seamen James Fenwick and Charles Sylvester got into a fight on this day 150 years ago and were “ironed together” as punishment. As the weather was turning during the afternoon watch, it is likely that they were [...]

You would not know it from the Monitor‘s log book, but Friday, April 4, 1862 was an important day.  It  marked the official beginning of McClellan’s Peninsular Campaign, as Union troops began their slow move from Fortress Monroe up the Peninsula. Meanwhile, over in Gosport, The Virginia  came out of drydock.  Now repaired, she boasted a new [...]

Remarks  Wednesday April 2nd/62   From Midnight to 4 A.M.. light airs from E.S.E. with clear pleasant weather                                                                                                                                   William Flye   From 4 to 8 A.M.  wind E. & cloudy weather workmen came on board to work on Pilot House at8 a.m.  English sloop of war came in during the night fired our National [...]