USS Monitor
The USS Monitor was an ironclad warship built by the United States during the American Civil War. Launched in 1861, it was designed to be a revolutionary naval vessel, featuring a rotating turret that housed two large cannons. The Monitor played a crucial role in the Battle of Hampton Roads, where it faced off against the Confederate ironclad, the CSS Virginia.
The Monitor's innovative design marked a significant shift in naval warfare, leading to the decline of wooden warships. After its service, the Monitor sank in a storm off the coast of North Carolina in 1862. Its wreck was discovered in 1973, and efforts to preserve its remains continue today.