History

Factual Questions
1

I have been looking quite awhile now. My history teacher has asked us what the name of the FIrst Ironclad to be built by the Confederates was. He said it wasn’t the Merrimack or the Moniter. I have found that the Virginia was the first but am uncertain (originally Merrimack). Can anyone verify or contradict this and maybe steer me in the right direction if wrong. Thanks for all the help. I may have already answered my own ? though.

2

Once upon a time there was a United States warship called the Merrimack. It was abandoned along with the rest of the Norfolk Navy Yard. The Union had scuttled the ship to prevent its use by the Confederates. The Confederates raised it, however, and rebuilt it. They rechristened it the Virginia.

So, unless it is a trick question, the answer is C.S.S Virginia. Most people still call it the Merrimack, though, because the Confederacy, I think, isn’t considered a legal government. Are you by any chance in the south?

3

It was the C.S.S. Virginia. It was built from a buned out hull of the U.S.S. Merrimack.

4

Hugh Jass beat me. And with a better anwer too. Dang it. I was all happy I was finally the first, and then…oh well.

5

Thanks Hugh and Rand. I pretty much read the same thing and also thought it was a trick ? because I found this on a website. http://www.nps.gov/vick/visctr/sitebltn/age_iron.htm “On October 12, 1861, the first ironclad in the west was launched. The CARONDELET slid quietly into the muddy waters of the Mississippi forever changing the navy.” which made me start contradicting myself. But it was in the west and never entered the war. Therefore I do believe it was the CSS Virginia as well. Thanks for the help. And yes…I’m from the South

6

I would have to question the C.S.S. Virginia as the answer to the question. The Virginia was a pre-existing ship that was remade for the Confederate’s use. There were other ironclads actually built by the Confederacy. I know that the C.S.S. Arkansas was layed down in August 1861 and finished in 1862 (launched 4/24/1862, commissioned 5/26/1862) and the C.S.S. Mississippi was layed down in October 1861 and launched 4/19/1862. Does anyone know of an older Confederate-built ironclad? The Carondelet mentioned above was a Union ironclad so that can’t be the answer.
While trying to look for an older ironclad I happened upon a cargo ship called the C.S.S. United States. Go figure.