There is a (RED) Light That Never Goes Out: Monitor Looks at 152

By Matthew T. Eng
Naval Historical Foundation

We are closing another calendar year on the Civil War Sesquicentennial. It is the last December of the war years. Civil War naval enthusiasts will note the importance of today’s date across the landscape of the social media blogosphere: the 31 December sinking of USS Monitor.

Monitor put to sea under tow from USS Rhode Island on the final days of 1862. A violent storm soon developed off Hatteras, forcing Monitor’s Commanding Officer John P. Bankhead to signal a red lantern to the crew of Rhode Island for help. The lamp hung with the running lights on the turret, the highest point of the vertically challenged vessel. By the time the Monitor survivors arrived safely on board Rhode Island, their beloved ship began to pitch and roll under the strain of the sea. Sailors recall seeing the red light atop of the turret flickering in and out in the distance as they began to break off. By 1:00 AM on 31 December 1862, the red light was underneath the turbulent waves.

“We watched from the deck of the Rhode Island the lonely light upon the Monitor's turret – a hundred times we thought it had gone forever, – a hundred times it reappeared, till at last...it sank and we saw it no more."-       Surgeon Samuel Gilbert Webber (USS Rhode Island)

The red lantern and several other important artifacts from the ironclad are back on the surface. Resting underneath the waves are the remains of the ship and the bodies of fourteen sailors. Two of their comrades discovered inside the recovered turret now rest in Arlington National Cemetery.

Such A Heavenly Way to Die?

Significant dates are a tricky form of understanding history, especially in today’s social media-centric society. Anybody can write down or post about WHEN something happened in naval history. Maybe a few historical photos will accompany the brief text. You may “like” it on Facebook. Hell, you may even share it on your wall or tweet it to your followers. But the learning stops there. The dialog dies. We can’t afford to do that when there is so much more to talk about, especially Monitor. It takes talent to convey to others WHY and HOW it happened.

Most stewards of the craft are simply telling you when something happened in the grand timeline of naval history. Fort Fisher falls in January. Mobile Bay was an early August event. The Battle of Hampton Roads is celebrated for two days every March. So much more happens in between a calendar year and a time and place. Merely telling the general public about a significant date in history seems like an empty gesture. The public demands and deserves more. Thanks to a dedicated group of historians, museum specialists, curators, and underwater archaeologists, we continue to learn more about America’s first ironclad every day.

History in the Darkened Underpass

It’s been a tough set of years to mark the current Civil War commemoration. Anyone who tells you differently has not paid close attention to the pulse of the general public. Controversy is a yearly event.

A centennial seems like a nice round number – one that is easily recognizable to the general public. World War I fans are currently reaping the benefits of this in the same way the public honored the recent War of 1812 bicentennial. Looking back at 150 years is more difficult. These years mark the halfway point on the road trip to the bicentennial. It is as if the public is sitting in the back seat of the car, asking leading historians, museum specialists, and authors “are we there yet?” We are there. In fact, there is less than 150 days left in the entire sesquicentennial commemoration. How will it fair during the 175^th in 2036?

Monitor was not immune to this harsh criticism in the wake of the Conservation Lab’s closure. The year for Monitor began on 9 January with news from the Washington Post that the USS Monitor lab would close its doors due to a lack of federal funding. The news shocked everyone, in and out of the field. Many of the comments posted on the Post article were anything but helpful. Many questioned why we support such aged history in the first place. Supporters of Monitor soon came to their aid when funding proved short, calling for others to help preserve the lab and artifacts. Thankfully, the lab reopened only a few months later this summer. Monitor was back, and the interest continued to grow.

The Monitor Center Reopens (Adrin Snider / Daily Press)

That interest stayed at this year’s 10^th Maritime Heritage Conference in Norfolk, Virginia. A special panel shed light on the recent efforts and partnerships between the Mariners’ Museum, Monitor Conservation Lab, and NOAA. Leading experts on the ship spoke positively about the future of the artifacts. I had a chance to write a nice piece about some of their more recent artifact conversation projects. The sea state was calm. The subject of Monitor and shipwreck history even came up at this year’s World War I Centennial Conference at the MacArthur Memorial. There is so much more to the mystery of Monitor than a single date in time.  

It would seem that the red lantern, which became a central artifact in the discussion of the Monitor’s recovery, is still on. Dave Krop and the fine folks at the lab are still doing the diligent work necessary to preserve one of the Civil War’s most treasured relics.

Monitor is a figurehead of American naval history. One may argue the ship’s supreme importance within the timeline of naval history in general. Monitor is WHY and HOW Civil War naval history is alive and well today. Such an important ship deserves our respect and admiration.

“Well, the pleasure – the privilege is mine” to continue to work with those who would see the red light never extinguished from the memory of Monitor. Thank you to all who keep it lit.  

USS Monitor Sailors Laid to Rest at Arlington National Cemetery

30308-N-AC887-002 ARLINGTON (March 8, 2013) One of two Sailors recovered from the ironclad USS Monitor is escorted by Gunner's Mate 3rd Class Nathaniel Crow, a member of the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard, during a funeral service at Arlington National Cemetery. Monitor sank off Cape Hatteras, N.C., in 1862. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Sam Shavers/Released)

"O hear us when we cry to thee,
for those in peril on the sea."
       - Naval Hymn "Eternal Father"

The weather was cold and dreary, but spirits were high.  Amidst the machine-gun snapping of photographers, two of the "Monitor Boys" were laid to rest yesterday.  Family members of Monitor sailors sat solemnly in front of the caskets as the burial detail gave the men full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.  It was a fitting conclusion to a story heard by countless people around the world.  Staff members of the Hampton Roads Naval Museum/Civil War Navy Sesquicentennial and the Naval History and Heritage Command were in Arlington yesterday to take part in the events surrounding the burial of these brave men who went down with their ship over 150 years ago.

My day began when I left for Arlington at 8:30am.  Hoping for little traffic ahead of me, I put on Titus Andronicus' album, "The Monitor," to get in the mood for the day's events.  If the coffee didn't wake me up, Titus Andronicus front man Patrick Stickles' lo-fi growls did.  I thought about what the sailors of CSS Virginia and USS Cumberland/Congress/Minnesota thought when the early morning sun filled their eyes 151 years ago.  What did those eyes see when the day ended?  That clear day in March would become the worst naval disaster the U.S. Navy would see until the attack at Pearl Harbor.  With such a staggering loss of life, the U.S. Navy needed something to stand up to the Confederate leviathan.  Luckily, the next day brought USS Monitor and the dawn of modern naval warfare.

During the trek up to Washington, I received several emails from the Command PAO about an opportunity for HRNM staff to participate in the U.S. Navy's first ever Google+ Hangout.  Naturally, I accepted.  Looking at my car's clock just outside of Richmond, it was 10:30am.  I could make it.   Let the traffic gods be merciful on me today, even if it I was heading towards the "lion's den" of vehicular congestion.

Google+ Hangout Session at Fort Myer 

I arrived at Fort Myer at 12:30pm, just in time to meet with CHINFO at the Community Center for the broadcast.  At 2:00 pm we went live.  The +Hangout included staff members and representatives from HRNM, Naval History and Heritage Command, JPAC, Arlington National Cemetery, and NOAAThe Google+ Hangout lasted for 52 Minutes.   Topics ranged from the history of the ship to the efforts to identify the two unknown sailors buried inside the turret.  There were several interesting viewer questions during the session, which I am grateful for.  It is always a magical thing to see the memory of the Monitor alive and thriving 151 years later.  For the full Google+ Hangout Session, go HERE.

A very special thanks to Sandy Gall at CHINFO and Junior at Google for making the event possible.

Ceremony Invitation and Program

The chapel service began at 4:00pm.  Over 200 were in attendance for the ceremony, including members of the U.S. Navy and the descendants of Monitor sailors.  Special guest speakers at the ceremony included Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere Kathryn Sullivan, and award-winning author James McPherson.


The ceremony was both somber and reflective.  Church organs bellowed "Amazing Grace" and the Naval Hymn, "Eternal Father, Strong to Save."  In the corner of my eye, I could see some family members wiping tears from their eyes.  It was a funeral service after all, even if those being interred died more than a century ago.  To the family members present, the two men just feet in front of them could be the missing branch on their family tree.  Even with the help of modern scientific technology, it is too early to tell who exactly these men were.

SECNAV Mabus speaks at the Chapel Ceremony (U.S. Navy photo) 

Guest speakers spoke for approximately five minutes.  Each reflected on the loss of Monitor and its legacy in the annals of naval history.  SECNAV Mabus opened the talks, highlighting the history and heritage of these men:

"From the Marblehead men who rowed Washington across the Delaware, to these brave souls, to those who serve today in nuclear-powered carriers and submarines, Sailors have always been the same; they are at heart risk-takers, willing -- even eager -- to brave the unknown to peer past distant horizons." - The Honorable Ray Mabus

As the ceremony concluded, guests filed behind the funeral cassions to make the quarter mile trek from the chapel to their final resting place, nestled between the mast of the Maine and the memorial to the space shuttles Columbia and Challenger.

Unfortunately, I could not get a clear view of the proceedings of the burial.  The wind was blowing quite hard at this point.  The Chaplain's words flickered in and out of earshot.  What was heard were words of peace and hope. Words of love and devotion to one's country; concepts not lost on today's modern Navy.

Standing around me were many of the men and women who helped make this event possible.  A "who's who" of naval history and maritime archaeology flanked my periphery.  I could see a calmness and intensity in their eyes as the sailors eloquently folded the United States flag to a hushed crowd of hundreds.  As soon as it came, the ceremony was over.    

Mariners' Museum VP of Museum Collections Anna Holloway was one such individual who played a huge role in bringing those men to Arlington.  Looking away from the ceremony, Holloway smiled with satisfaction.  "We did it," she said, smiling with delight.  Her words likely reflected the sentiment of many there standing in our nation's most hallowed ground.  For our good friends at the Mariners' Museum and USS Monitor Marine Sanctuary, yesterday marks a triumphant end to over a decade of hard work.

It was not only the Battle OF Hampton Roads, it was also a Battle FOR Hampton Roads.  For the security of our nation.  For the preservation of the Union and the thousands of men who gave the ultimate price to protect it.  The Monitor stands as a symbol of honor, courage, and commitment resonating still today.  Their final measure of devotion was honored gloriously.  

I was happy to be there and take part in the event.  It was truly a once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget.

As Chaplin Glore stated in the closing remarks of the chapel ceremony, the event gives "new energy to the past and present" history of Monitor and the men that fought beneath her iron decks and rotating turret.

Rest easy, Monitor Boys.  Your voyage is finally over.

Relevant Links to Yesterday's Ceremony:
Navy.mil News Story
SECNAV Photos
CBS News Story on USS Monitor
Washington Post (Excellent Photo Gallery)
Baltimore Sun
NOAA
NPR
USS Monitor Twitter Stream

NHHC Documents on the Battle of Hampton Roads

USS Monitor 150th Anniversary Experience at the Mariners' Museum

Auctioned “Experience” Inside USS Monitor’s Revolving Gun Turret to Highlight 150th Anniversary of Ironclad’s Demise, 

Support Ongoing Conservation 

For Immediate Release 

Newport News, VA (Nov. 20, 2012) – The Mariners’ Museum and partners at NOAA’s Monitor National Marine Sanctuary are marking the 150th anniversary of the USS Monitor’s sinking by offering an unprecedented opportunity on December 30, 2012: the chance for six visitors to experience the stories of the ironclad’s final harrowing moments while standing inside the recovered iconic revolving gun turret. 

The Mariners’ Museum and NOAA are auctioning off the chance for six visitors to experience life inside the revolving gun turret Monitor during its final hours on December 30-31. Night-time programming will highlight specific events from the sinking based upon historical documents and personal letters from survivors. Museum staff will also ring Monitor’s original engine room gong to honor sixteen crewmembers that perished during the sinking. The event may also be streamed live via telepresence to other museums that share Monitor’s story. 

“This is the ultimate opportunity to travel back in time and immerse yourself in the final moments of the USS Monitor, arguably the most iconic vessel of the Civil War. The thought of standing inside the 120-ton recovered gun turret with your closest friends, of walking in the footsteps of these Union sailors exactly 150 years later, gives me goose bumps,” said Dave Krop, Director of the USS Monitor Center. “I cannot think of a more unique experience.” 

Lucky winners of the auction will also receive lodging near The Mariners’ Museum, as well as food and entertainment throughout the late evening. 

For more information on this exciting event, please contact Dave Krop at:

(757) 591-7763

dkrop@MarinersMuseum.org 

Monitor Mania!

LSU Faces Laboratory/AP

This upcoming week will mark one of the most excited periods of events for the Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War.  For commemorations focusing on the navies, it is perhaps the most important.

Faces of 2 USS Monitor crewmembers reconstructed

As many readers know, we are in the process of celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Hampton Roads.  Over the past few weeks, several articles around the country posted news and information on the upcoming anniversary.  The most interesting piece of information coming out this past week was the latest and greatest from the LSU FACES laboratory.  According to the AP writer STEVE SZKOTAK, the latest forensic technology helped to reconstruct the two unidentified faces of the sailors left inside the famous turret when it sank in December 1862.  Unfortunately, DNA testing done from bone samples did not render any living descendants of the two sailors' families.

Perhaps that is all that we will know.

According to an interview with James Delgado, director of NOAA's Maritime Heritage Program, "the faces are really the last opportunity we have, unless somebody pops up out of nowhere and says, 'Hey, I am a descendant.'"  Read the full AP article HERE.

Here are some of the other recent articles on USS Monitor around the internet:

Experts Rebuild Faces of Civil War Sailors - Newser

The Monitor Still Captivates - Washington Post

Clash of the Ironclads - Daily Press

All in all, it is shaping up to be a huge week for the Civil War Navy Sesquicentennial.  If you haven't already, make sure to check out the Battle of Hampton Roads Weekend at the Mariners' Museum.  The CWN 150 will be there.  Will you?

BOHR Watercolor Contest at HRNM

American poet Amy Lowell once wrote: "Art is the desire of a man to express himself, to record the reactions of his personality to the world he lives in."

As part of the sesquicentennial of arguably the most famous of all Civil War naval battles, the Hampton Roads Naval Museum/CWN 150 will hold a Battle of Hampton Roads Watercolor Art Contest in honor of the famed event. 

We are inviting all those in the Hampton Roads area to heed the words of Ms. Lowell and create original pieces of art.  Watercolor art may be developed anytime between now and March 8. March 8 is the deadline for drop off. Be creative!  For those of you fans of the CWN 150 who are not in the area, you are more than welcome to take pictures of your own creations (any type of art form) and post them to the CWN 150 Facebook page.  We will repost your art on this blog.  

The contest, however, only applies to watercolor..  Winners of the art contest will receive a prize package courtesy of the Hampton Roads Naval Museum.  All submitted watercolor art will be unveiled at HRNM during the FREE After Hours History program on March 8, 2012, at 6pm.  More details to follow on the event.  For Civil War Navy buffs, this is a perfect kick off to the Battle of Hampton Roads Weekend! 
Take a look at the full details, rules, and the registration form for the watercolor contest on the Hampton Roads Naval Museum Blog.  If you have any other questions, please contact Laura Orr, Special Events HRNM, at laura.l.orr@navy.mil.

2012 Civil War Navy Conference Announced

CALL FOR PAPERS
Civil War Navy Conference at the 10th Annual Battle of Hampton Roads Weekend
March 9-11, 2012

Featuring award-winning authors Harold Holzer and Craig Symonds

The Mariners' Museum in Newport News, VA, along with its partners at
NOAA's Monitor National Marine Sanctuary, The Museum of the
Confederacy, and the Hampton Roads Naval Museum are soliciting panels
and poster sessions for the Civil War Navy Conference held during the
10th annual Battle of Hampton Roads Weekend in Newport News, VA, March
9-11, 2012. Papers will be considered in the following areas:

. Civil War Naval
- History
- Technology
- Literature
- Art
- Popular culture

. Civil War Underwater Archaeology and Conservation

Panel proposals should have no more than 3 presenters plus chair.
Sessions will run no more than 90 minutes. Presentations submitted
separately may be placed on panels at the discretion of the hosting
organizations.

Poster sessions should be formatted for 30 minutes: 15 minutes for
presentation and 15 minutes for Q&A.

Proposals (poster: 250 words, panel: 500 words) including a 50-word
bio for each contributor should be sent by 1 November 2011 to
aholloway@MarinersMuseum.org or by mail to:

Battle of Hampton Roads 2012 Symposium
c/o Anna Holloway
The Mariners' Museum
100 Museum Drive
Newport News, VA 23606

Decisions on submissions will be made by 30 December 2011.

Presenters selected will be entitled to a speaker's rate for
registration and will have access to discounted rooms. Presenters are
responsible for their own travel arrangements.

Pre-registration preferred, but walk-ins are welcome. Registration
opens November, 2011.

The Mariners' Museum
100 Museum Drive
Newport News, VA 23606
www.MarinersMuseum.org

SOURCE: H-Net

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

Day 1 at the Battle of Hampton Roads Weekend

During the Battle of Hampton Roads Weekend Event at the Mariners' Museum this weekend, I am keeping a diary of events and observations along the way. - Matthew T. Eng

5 March 2011: Mariners' Museum Newport News, VA (Part 1 of 2)

Early Morning at the Mariners' with Bivouac Tents.  View from my table 

 9:30 am: Everything is set up for the Hampton Roads Naval Museum.  There are Civil War Navy Special Edition Daybooks, Blacks in Blue Jackets pamphlets, and HRNM brochures.  Things are pretty quiet right now, but I can see a small line of people at the outside of the building waiting to get in.  Outside, several living history groups are setting up tents and artillery for the day's presentations.  The day should be fairly busy.  I'm at a booth currently next to Hampton historian and author John Quarstein and the Virginia War Museum.  John has a new book out called The Monitor Boys.  It sounds like an interesting read. This weekend might be the first time that anybody has seen the book since its been released.  I also had a chance to talk to Dr. Robert Browning and his wife.  Dr. Browning is the Chief Historian of the U.S. Coast Guard.  He is doing a presentation later this afternoon on the Blockading Squadron during the War.   I'm looking forward to today's events.

 The Norfolk Light Artillery Blues Open Fire

10:30 am:  The artillery demonstrations startled me, but I am getting used to it.  Walking around, I talked to a fellow exhibitor who has an impressive collection of Confederate and Union naval swords, Gerald Roxbury.  Apparently, he used to show displays at the Naval Museum.

10:45 am: A lot of guests i talk to are interested and intrigued with the Special Edition Daybook.  It's only been 45 minutes since the museum opened and I've gone through about 60 of them.  If you haven't read it, you should HERE.  Free to download, or come stop by the Mariners' Museum and pick one up yourself!

11:00 am: I took a little time to go visit the new exhibit outside the Monitor Center titled "Up Pops the Monitor."  It is really neat.  It has quite the "retro" theme to it.  So retro, that Mariners' VP Anna Holloway told me they served Tab and tater tots at the grand opening a few days back.    It explores the popular cultures of the Monitor, focusing on the "name" used to advertise products from books and art to even refrigerators!  Really cool stuff.  I took a couple of pictures from the exhibit.  They even had a running of the film Hearts in Bondage, the 1936 classic about the Battle of Hampton Roads.  Here are some of the photos:

Sinking of the USS Monitor, 1979 by Robert Ewell

Books, Magazines, and Comic Books Portraying the Monitor

Monitor Top Fridge!

12:00 pm: Talked to a Civil War Marine who works with the Tidewater Maritime Living History Association.  Along the same lines, there was a guest who apparently donated materials to HRNM fron his time in the 4th Marine Division during WWII.  Interesting stuff.  I think its time that I go for lunch. 

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.