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→Conversion to an ironclad
==Conversion to an ironclad==
==Conversion to an ironclad==
[[Image:Virg2.jpg|thumb|200px|left|LT B.L. Blackford, CSN, made this sketch of the ''Virginia'' on March 7, 1862. As no photographs of the ship were ever made, this may be the most accurate image of the vessel in existence.]]
The Confederates, in desperate need of ships, raised ''Merrimack'' and rebuilt her as an ironclad ram, according to a design prepared by Lt. J. M. Brooke, CSN. Commissioned as CSS ''Virginia'' on 17 February 1862, the ironclad was the hope of the Confederacy to destroy the wooden ships in Hampton Roads and to end the Union blockade which had already seriously hurt the South.
The Confederates, in desperate need of ships, raised ''Merrimack'' and rebuilt her as an ironclad ram, according to a design prepared by Lt. J. M. Brooke, CSN. Commissioned as CSS ''Virginia'' on 17 February 1862, the ironclad was the hope of the Confederacy to destroy the wooden ships in Hampton Roads and to end the Union blockade which had already seriously hurt the South.
''Virginia'' then turned her attention to ''Congress'', which had grounded. Assisted by the lighter ships of the South’s James River Squadron, ''Virginia'' opened fire from a distance, forcing ''Congress'' to haul down her colors. As CSS ''Beaufort'' and ''Raleigh'' approached ''Congress'' to receive the surrender of her crew, Federal troops ashore, not understanding the situation, opened a withering fire and wounded Buchanan, who retaliated by ordering hot shot and incendiary shell to be pored into ''Congress''. The latter, ablaze and unable to bring a single gun to bear, hauled down her flag for the last time. She continued to burn until exploding about midnight.
''Virginia'' then turned her attention to ''Congress'', which had grounded. Assisted by the lighter ships of the South’s James River Squadron, ''Virginia'' opened fire from a distance, forcing ''Congress'' to haul down her colors. As CSS ''Beaufort'' and ''Raleigh'' approached ''Congress'' to receive the surrender of her crew, Federal troops ashore, not understanding the situation, opened a withering fire and wounded Buchanan, who retaliated by ordering hot shot and incendiary shell to be pored into ''Congress''. The latter, ablaze and unable to bring a single gun to bear, hauled down her flag for the last time. She continued to burn until exploding about midnight.
''Virginia'' did not emerge unscathed. Her stack was riddled causing loss of power and she was initially underpowered. Two large guns were out of order, her armor loosened and her ram lost. Nevertheless, she went on to attack USS ''Minnesota'', but shallow water prevented her getting close enough to do her former sister frigate serious damage. ''Virginia'' anchored that night at Sewell’s Point for repairs. Flag Officer Buchanan was taken ashore to the hospital and Lt. Catesby ap R. Jones, CSN, who had conned the ironclad after Buchanan had been wounded, assumed command.
''Virginia'' did not emerge unscathed. Her stack was riddled causing loss of power and she was initially underpowered. Two large guns were out of order, her armor loosened and her ram lost. Nevertheless, she went on to attack USS ''Minnesota'', but shallow water prevented her getting close enough to do her former sister frigate serious damage. ''Virginia'' anchored that night at Sewell’s Point for repairs. Flag Officer Buchanan was taken ashore to the hospital and Lt. Catesby ap R. Jones, CSN, who had conned the ironclad after Buchanan had been wounded, assumed command.
==Battle with the ''Monitor''==
==Battle with the ''Monitor''==