Because the Confederate ironclad "Virginia" attempted to annihilate the Union fleet which was blockading Hampton Roads and go out to the open sea, from where she would probably have menaced the Union naval traffic in the Chesapeake Bay or attempted to bombard Baltimore, Annapolis and even Washington.
But the providential intervention of Union ironclad "Monitor" changed the course of the events.
Battle of Hampton Roads happened on 1862-03-08.
it was a tie
The Union warship USS Monitor defeated the Confederate warship USS Merrimack in the Battle of Hampton Roads. This is also known as the Battle of the Ironclads.
Iron clad ships were introduced into battle
About 500 for US and 700 for CSA
Battle of Hampton Roads happened on 1862-03-08.
The Battle of Hampton Roads.
Ironclad ships were used for the first time.
Hampton Roads, Virginia, just off the coast. it was a naval battle, so... wet?
it was a tie
The Union warship USS Monitor defeated the Confederate warship USS Merrimack in the Battle of Hampton Roads. This is also known as the Battle of the Ironclads.
The Battle of Hampton Roads.
69 days
Hampton Roads
Iron clad ships were introduced into battle
The Battle of Hampton Roads was fought over the two day period spanning March 8-9, 1862 in Hampton Roads. Hampton Roads is basically a ship dock in Virginia where the James River meets the Nansemond and Elizabeth Rivers right outside Chesapeake Bay. It was the first time in naval warfare that two ironclads met in battle. As an aside the sinking of Union ships at Hampton Roads by the CSS Virginia caused a delay in the Union's Peninsula campaign.
It took place into Hampton Roads.