what the next day would bring. The next day, March 9, the Virginia expected to reengage Union ships left in the area and to establish dominance in the Chesapeake Bay to ward off further attempts by the Union to control Southeastern Virginia. This surprised Virginia’s acting captain, Lt. Catesby ap Roger Jones, and the battle of the ship moving around the other seeking to find weakness. Monitor had a shallow draft and low profile above the water, and its revolutionary rotating turret allowed the ship to navigate around the Virginia, easily scoring hit after hit on the armor- plated hull, albeit to no major effect. Virginia, with a broken front ram, attempted to gain the advantage with three times as many guns, but was unwieldy given her wide turning radius and comparative lack of speed and maneuverability. The day ended with changing tides, fading light, and the looming danger of running aground in the “Middle Ground” shoal areas in the center of Hampton Roads. Monitor remained on station aside the grounded Minnesota, and Virginia steamed back down the Elizabeth River; the battle ended as a draw with no clear winner. However, the Confederate ironclads’ short reign of terror was effectively ended. Ironclads then began in earnest. Virginia and Monitor engaged in a twisting, circling duel, each The staff ride and applications to today’s reservists By studying this battle and the effects of the arrival of a new type of warship, students of military history can not only gain a greater understanding of the immediate impacts of the Battle of the Ironclads, but can also examine the impacts on current and future naval operations and tactics, as well as examine real- world and academic strategic and operational problems from a different perspective. With Coast Guard reservists around the United States (and deployed in key locations around the world), critical and relevant historical lessons can often be just around the corner, warranting study and research. Professional development opportunities such as this staff ride not only help ground us to our shared Coast Guard and military past, but can offer insights into current and future issues and challenges. Beyond just learning about the battle and historical details in virtual lectures during pandemic drill weekends in 2021, 50 students visited the USS Monitor Center at The Mariners’ Museum. During the visit, students were given tours of the collections associated with Monitor and Virginia and obtained a rare behind-the-scenes look at recovered artifacts with presentations and discussions on conservation and stabilization by the museum’s chief conservator William Hoffman. This included an in-depth look into Monitor’s technologically revolutionary design, its quick production, and how the design and performance in battle informed future ironclad-class ships through the rest of the Civil War. Artifacts recovered by U.S. Navy divers and NOAA archaeologists at the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary wreck site from 1998-2004 included personal items of lost sailors, and a red signal lantern allegedly seen from the escort ship before the Monitor went under with 16 hands lost. The CEO of the Mariners’ Museum, Howard Hoege III, led a discussion on the battle and applications to today’s military. Hoege, an Army veteran, challenged students to relate to today’s strategic picture, the rise of powerful nations, and how the U.S. military can overcome problems and complexities. For instance, discussion of what occurred after the Battle of the Ironclads and the American Civil War illustrate how warfare was changed forever. Nations around the world viewed the battle as the end of wood-and-sail ships, and raced to build modern iron warships. The naval arms race of the late 19th Century led to great power competition between United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan, Russia and the United States, and culminated with World War I. Within a few decades of this famous battle, warships around the world resembled modern battleships and destroyers, and bore little resemblance to naval vessels that had dominated the seas for centuries. Aspects such as Monitor’s rotating gun turrets and total reliance on a steam power plant drastically altered the roles of ship’s crews, which now focused their efforts on power plants, gun stations and communications. The JSR team discussed modern day innovations and technological advancements in areas such as cyber, space, hypersonic weapons, and unmanned aerial and maritime systems and asked, “Does a moment like the Battle of the Ironclads exist in our near-term?” and “Is the U.S. military ready?” “The coordination of lecturers (both live and virtual), as well as the unique firsthand look at artifacts and a tour of the battlespace made this staff ride an outstanding educational experience,” said Capt. Mike Ruwe, the commanding officer of CGRU JSS. “In addition to being an excellent opportunity to increase both military knowledge and critical thinking skills, the Staff Ride provided another opportunity to demonstrate to the Joint community the skills, talents and professionalism of Team Coast Guard.” � Left: USS Monitor’s revolutionary turret now under conservation and stabilization project at the Mariners’ Museum Monitor Center. Photo Courtesy of The Mariners' Museum and Park, Newport News, Virginia. Opposite: Some of the joint reservists of the Joint Staff South at the Mariners’ Museum in Newport News, Virginia, Sept. 10, 2021. Photo Courtesy of The Mariners' Museum and Park, Newport News, Virginia Issue 1 • 2022 � RESERVIST 39
