Drewry’s Bluff Aftermath: Lt. William Jeffers Report
Presenter:
John V. Quarstein
Director emeritus of the USS Monitor Center
About the lecture:
USS Monitor did not play a significant role during the Battle of Drewry’s Bluff. Once considered the ‘little ship that saved the nation”, it was unable to effectively shell the Confederate fort. Consequently, after the fight, Monitor’s commander, Lt. William Jeffers wrote a critical report detailing many of the ship’s weaknesses. This prompted a furious reply from John Ericsson detailing how the monitor design was key to the Union victory. Even though much of what Jeffers referenced was true, Ericsson had tremendous political support, enabling him to continue building monitors through to the war’s end.
Registration Information
Advance registration is required whether you attend the lecture in person or online.
In person
Free for Museum Members.
$1 for guests
Virtual
This lecture is livestreamed
and free to watch online
Contact Us
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(757) 596-2222
Image credit: The Battle of Drewry’s Bluff – Battle of Drewry’s Bluff engraving. From Harper’s Weekly, 1862. Courtesy New York Public Library Digital Gallery.
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John Quarstein’s books!
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