On March 9, 1862, observers from this spot anxiously awaited the outcome of one of the most famous naval battles of all time, fought between the Confederate ironclad Virginia, formerly USS Merrimack, and the Union ironclad Monitor. After four hours of inconclusive combat, with neither vessel able to destroy the other, the contest ended in a draw. But the world took notice, and the age of iron shipbuilding was ushered into being there.