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USS Monitor

(Almost) to-scale replica of the ironclad USS Monitor. Dimensions are accurate to the original, except the funnel and forward pilot house as I didn't have any measurements for those.

USS Monitor was the first ironclad commissioned by the USA. Constructed during the Civil War as a response to the CSS Virginia, the Monitor faced off against its rival during the battle of Hampton Roads.

The unusually flat design was intended to present the smallest possible target to enemy fire and this design philosophy was continued in all US monitors for the next two decades. Like HMS Dreadnought, her name would be used to describe the class of ships she inspired.

On the second day of the battle for Hampton Roads, Monitor would face off against Virginia for hours, neither ship being able to deal significant damage to the other due to the iron armour of both sides. The duel ended when a shell from Virginia struck Monitor's pilot house and exploded, injuring her captain and forcing her to withdraw.

Ironically, neither ship would survive the year, with Virginia being scuttled to prevent her capture as the CSA army retreated in May, and Monitor being lost in a storm in December.

6206 materials
590 blocks
Length: 55m
Width: 13m
Draft: 3m
Armament: 2x 11" Dahlgren smoothbore cannons
Armour: Wood-backed iron deck, wooden hull
Speed: 17 knots (ahistorical)