Save the Monitor Collection

“I will stand by you to the last if I can help you.”

            - LT John Worden, USS Monitor

 A Washington Post article reported today that the Monitor Lab at the Mariners’ Museum will shut down due to a lack of Federal funding.  The Mariners’ Museum was Congressionally designated to maintain the Monitor artifacts since 1987.  It currently holds her turret, two cannons, propeller, and steam engine.

This news comes as a shock to many in the museum world.  The recent burial of two of her sailors who went down with the ship in December 1862 garnered worldwide attention in March of 2013.  

That ship might not have meant much to the men of the Virginia when they first saw it steaming into battle the morning of 8 March 1862.  They mocked it.  It was mocked on both sides.  Some called it a “cheesebox on a raft,” or a “tin can on a shingle.”  Yet that seemingly insignificant object went on to change the course of naval history forever.  Tested in battle.  Upheld by a tradition of honor, courage, and commitment lasting to this day.  For every man and woman who wears a uniform, you are carrying the torch once held by forty-nine brave officers and men, sixteen of which paid the ultimate sacrifice nine months later in a storm off the North Carolina Coast. 

I can only assume, reader, that you care about history.  Otherwise, what else would bring you to this blog?  Museums and institutions like the Mariners’ Museum and USS Monitor Center work painstakingly hard.  If you care about history…if you truly care, please continue reading.  

I am not writing this because I have friends who work there or have worked there in the past.  I am not writing this as a crusade because the Monitor is a legendary ship.  I am writing this for the sake of history.  After all, what do we have to look forward to in our future if we do not do the work to remember the past?  This is a critical blow to Civil War fans worldwide, especially during this sesquicentennial commemoration. 

Every time I step up those stairs and gaze into the large tank, my eyes begin to well up with tears.  I did it the first time I saw it, and I guarantee I will do it when I see it again.  With the lights on and the staff working. 

For fans and enthusiasts of Civil War naval history, the space that separates you from that room and the glass along the wall is the closest you will ever get to experiencing the full weight and might of one of history’s greatest ships.  For others, it is their job to work inside the collection space, ensuring that it is maintained and protected.  Help them continue to do their good work. 

I entreat you reader to take a few moments and sign the change.org petition.  It will only take you a few moments.  Your effort will hopefully contribute to the continued preservation and commemoration of the Monitor. 

John Ericsson, the ship’s designer, could have easily shut down.  The victim of circumstance following the explosion on the USS Princeton, Ericsson retreated to a hermit-like existence and bane of the organization he worked so hard to help.  But he did not.  He pushed through and created the ship we know and love today.  Honor him.  Honor the men who fought on and with her.  It will only take a few seconds of your time. 

SIGN THE PETITION HERE.

Day 1 (Ctd.) and Day 2 of the Battle of Hampton Roads Weekend

NEWS FROM THE FRONT! (Continued Day 1)

March 5, 2011

1:00 pm: Attended the second lecture of the day focusing on the efforts of the Blockade during the Civil War. The 1:00 lecture centered on the role of the "Grey Ghost," CSS Alabama, and its operations throughout its storied history. Dr. William S. Dudley, former director of the Naval Historical Center (now the Naval History and Heritage Command), was the speaker for the event. After discussing the elements that surround the theories of Union and Confederate strategy and sea power at the start of the war, Dr. Dudley recounted the legendary story of the Alabama and her crew which captured over two dozen ships during her service.



James D. Bulloch (left)

 He recalled the interesting "cloak and dagger" story of James D. Bulloch, chief foreign agent of the Confederacy, and the attempts by a Union network of spies to find info pertaining to any and all ships made in Liverpool for the purpose of commerce raiding. Charles Francis Adams readily employed spies to shipyards in Liverpool to question (or pose as) workers of the elusive ship "No. 290," originally destined for merchant trading. Adams being the diplomat and student of law knew such design and construction would result in the breaking of the British Foreign Enlistment Act, which they later paid to the tune of $15.5 million dollars in the years after the war.

2:10 pm: HRNM Shout out! Somebody in the audience asked "Will they ever bring up the artifacts from the CSS Florida." Well, sir, you can always come down and see them for yourself at the Hampton Roads Naval Museum on display!

The Makeup of the Union Blockade: Strategy and Implementation

2:30 pm: The final presentation of the day was by Dr. Robert Browning, chief historian of the United States Coast Guard. His presentation, titled "'None can be more vigilant than we are': the Union Blockade During the Civil War," went through what he called the "nuts and bolts" of the blockade, breaking it down from the ships and organization to the tactics used by the U.S. Navy to enforce it. It is interesting to note how he described the makeup of blockade runners themselves; very informative. He also identified Wilmington as the most important blockade running port. It was not the most powerful, but important port, for it "became synonymous with Confederate blockade running during the war."
Dr. Browning's presentation was insightful and well received by the audience. Interestingly enough, I found out from Dr. Browning that there was a blockade runner actually named LET HER RIP. Incredible! Here it is reproduced here, renamed the USS Wando:

In my opinion, it will always be Let Her Rip.

6 March 2011 (Day 2): Mariners' Museum, Newport News, VA

11:20 am: I arrived back at the Mariners' Museum. Things are pretty quiet right now, but I can see a small group of people once again waiting to get in. There is a slow and steady drizzle of rain outside, keeping a majority of the living history reenactors at bay for the days events.

12:00 pm: Guests are beginning to roll in. I only have about 20 of the Civil War Special Edition Daybooks left, which means we unloaded over 250 of them this weekend! A lot of people are showing up right from the start. In the immortal words of Milli Vanilli, "blame it on the rain."

1:00 pm: One of the highlights of the entire weekend was seeing Jeff Johnston speak about some interesting developments from the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary. They have all really come a long way since it was discovered back in 1974.


Examples from the LSU Faces Lab



A majority of the presentation focused on the two Monitor sailors (named Monitor #1 and Monitor #2) recovered in 2002 inside the turret. The process of narrowing down the 4 officers and 12 enlisted men who were lost during the 31 December 1862 is quite the daunting task. From their research, Jeff detailed how they have narrowed it down to just a few names, a remarkable feat. This will be further aided by forensic technology, and generous pro bono work from the LSU Faces Laboratory. They will spearhead efforts to recreate the faces of the two sailors with cutting edge technology. Geaux Tigers!

The ultimate goal of the project with LSU would be to put a face, and ultimately a name, to the two sailors. The proposed date for the burial will be on the 150th anniversary of their death at Arlington National Cemetery. It is of note that this project is also in coordination with the Naval History and Heritage Command.

It is a sobering thought to realize the potential of finding faces and names to these unidentified skeletal remains. Unknown for nearly 150 years, both sailors have the potential to finally seek peace. Jeff commented how we never want to put another "unknown soldier" into the ground. The lecture was definitely the highlight of the events this weekend.

All in all, it was a fantastic time. I look forward to continue to work with Anna and the gang at the Mariners' Museum in the future!

- Matthew T. Eng

Battle of Hampton Roads Weekend at the Mariners' Museum THIS WEEKEND

BATTLE OF HAMPTON ROADS WEEKEND

5-6 MARCH 2011

This weekend, our friends at the Mariners' Museum will be a hosting a weekend of programs, lectures, and demonstrations commemorating the Union and Confederate navies during the American Civil War. Join The Mariners’ Museum, The Museum of the Confederacy, and NOAA’s Monitor National Marine Sanctuary in our observance of the 149^th anniversary of the Battle of Hampton Roads between the Union ironclad USS Monitor and the Confederate ironclad CSS Virginia March 5th and 6th, 2011. There will be a special focus on commerce raiding and the blockade at this event.

Civil War Navy Sesquicentennial Coordinator Matthew Eng will be there to cover the event, as well as man a booth for the Hampton Roads Naval Museum. If you plan to attend, stop by the Hampton Roads Naval Museum table and have a chat about some events and activities that the CWN 150 is planning for the upcoming sesquicentennial years. Here is a complete run down of the activities and speakers planned for this weekend at Mariners' Museum. For a complete listing, go to the event page HERE.

Saturday, March 5, 2011 (10:00am-4:00pm)

Commerce Raiders and the Blockade Lectures

11:00 - Professor Howard Jones, University of Alabama
Blue and Gray Diplomacy: Union and Confederate Foreign Relations

1:00 - Dr. William Dudley, Former Director of the Naval Historical Center
The CSS Alabama

2:30 - Dr. Robert Browning, Chief Historian of the U.S. Coast Guard
"None can be more vigilant than we are": The Blockade During the Civil War

4:00 - Kevin Foster, Chief of the Maritime Heritage Program, National Park Service

Sunday, March 6, 2011 (12:00am-5:00pm)

1:00 - Lecture: Jeff Johnston, NOAA's Monitor National Marine Sanctuary
An Ironclad Mystery: Exploring the Final Moments of the Monitor and Identifying Her Crew

2:00 - Presentation: Monitor Project Conservation Staff
New Discoveries in Monitor Conservation

3:30 - Lecture: Dan Beasley: Ironclads, Ordinance and Innovation: The Life of Commander John Mercer Brooke, CSN

Battle of Hampton Roads Weekend at the Mariner's Museum

From the Mariner's Museum Website:

Join The Mariners’ Museum and NOAA’s Monitor National Marine Sanctuary in observance of the 148th anniversary of the Battle of Hampton Roads, the backdrop of the famous clash between the ironclads USS Monitor and CSS Virginia. NOAA and Mariners’ staff will give informative lectures about the revolutionary vessels and how they changed the world’s navies.

Cost will be free with museum admission.

Link: http://mariner.org/calendar/family-event/battle-hampton-roads-weekend

The Mariner's Museum is also hosting a Living History day today, March 5th, for families, homeschoolers, and other groups.