The USS Monitor Center at the Mariner's Museum in Virginia is featuring cut-away interior views of the ship and its adversary as well as a commemorative anchor made of iron salvaged from the Virginia in 1929.
There is also an oil can that has been raised from the Monitor. It probably at one time contained whale oil, which was a major 19th century lubricant.
There is also a ten-foot long deck plate which was placed over the original plates to strengthen the deck. It was problably put on during a refitting at the Washington Naval Yard. This is one item that you are even encouraged to touch.
The USS Monitor Center is a 65,500 square foot, $30 million complex that open in March 2007. Admission is $12.50.
www.marinersmuseum.org
Touch a Piece of History. --Old B-Run.
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
