The CSS Virginia

This history of the Confederate Navy’s ironclad warship “ will likely be the definitive single title on the CSS Virginia ” ( Civil War News ). When the CSS Virginia —formerly the USS Merrimack —slowly steamed down the Elizabeth River toward Hampton Roads on March 8, 1862, the tide of naval warfare turned from wooden sailing ships to armored, steam-powered vessels. Little did the ironclad’s crew realize that their makeshift warship would achieve the greatest Confederate naval victory. The trip wa