Propeller shaft of the Iron-Clad Virginia

A section of the propeller shaft came from the famous iron-clad Virginia (Merrimac), an essential part of the machinery that furnished the ship’s motive power during her engagements in Hampton Roads. Under Admiral Franklin Buchanan, and with her tenders Beaufort, Raleigh, Patrick Henry, Jamestown, and Teaser, she destroyed the U.S. frigates Congress and Cumberland and crippled and scattered the rest of the U.S. fleet on March 8th, A.D. 1862. The next day, with Buchanan wounded and Lieut. Catesby ap R. Jones in command, she engaged the U.S. iron-clad Monitor for about four hours. The Monitor twice withdrew from the action, the last time into shoal water where Virginia could not follow, and Virginia, after waiting due time for a renewal of the action, returned to Norfolk. On April 11th and May 8th, 1862, under Commodore Josiah Tattnall, she again offered battle to the U.S. fleet, including the Monitor, two other iron-clads, and several rams, but the offer was declined.

Richmond, Virginia · United States