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Ocean-going Monitors

Friday, November 13, 2026

12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EST

In Person | Virtual

Attend this Event

Ocean-going Monitors: Monadnock-class, Dictator, and Puritan

John V. Quarstein
Director emeritus of the USS Monitor Center

Early monitors suffered from serious flaws, including poor seaworthiness and limited firepower. In response, John Lenthall of the U.S. Navy’s Bureau of Construction and Repair developed the Monadnock-class ironclads. Featuring wooden hulls with iron-protected decks, turrets, and pilothouses, these ships carried four XV-inch Dahlgren guns and reached speeds of nine knots. Unlike later monitor designs, they proved to be capable and reliable seagoing vessels.

Portrait of historian and author John V. Quarstein sitting on a bench inside The Mariners' Museum.
John V. Quarstein

Advance registration is required to attend the lecture in person.

Free for Museum Members.
$1 for guests.

This lecture is livestreamed
and free to watch online.

For additional assistance, questions, or support:

Guest Relations
[email protected]
(757) 596-2222

Image Credit: USS Puritan in dry dock at Newport News Shipbuilding. Courtesy HII, https://hii.com/news/photo-release-newport-news-shipbuilding-celebrates-130th-anniversary/

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