After the Battle of Hampton Roads, USS Monitor —“little ship that saved the nation” — seemed perfect. But this illusion was shattered after the James River Flotilla's defeat at Drewry's Bluff. Lt. William Jeffers wrote a detailed report lodging his complaints about the vessel, from intolerable ventilation to questionable design choices, leading to a harsh rebuke from inventor John Ericsson. 

Should the US Grand Strategy continue its commitment to European security, or should it be focused elsewhere? Foreign policy and national security experts have debated that question since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. We dive into the history of Offshore Balancing to determine whether this national security strategy is a feasible modern-day solution.

USS Monitor was the strangest warship many sailors had ever seen. While all the enlisted men were volunteers, as soon as some arrived on board, they immediately deserted to “parts unknown.” When the ironclad was repaired in the Washington Navy Yard, the sailors were granted liberty. Many did not return. Not only was Monitor unseaworthy, it was also very uncomfortable, prompting many to desert.

After a gun demonstration at a swanky event turned deadly, the US Navy had no interest in revisiting the production of large shell guns. But when John A.B. Dahlgren, known as the “Father of Naval Ordinance,” developed a new style of naval shell gun known as the Dahlgren gun, these weapons would eventually be mounted onto Monitor and taken into battle against CSS Virginia.

We love hosting events at The Mariners’ because sharing our resources with the community allows us to build strong, lasting bonds. We recently hosted a Military Retirement Ceremony that was an incredible reflection on a life of honorable service.