The Monitor and Merrimac: The First Fight Between Ironclads, Louis Prang & Co., Boston, 1886

The drawings given above, copied with the kind permission of the Patent-office authorities for the use of the TIMES from the originals deposited in the Bureau, delineate a vessel proposed by THOMAS GREGG, of Pennsylvania, and for which letters patent were taken out by him March 19, 1814.

It will be seen at that early day, so soon after the original application of steam to maritime propulsion, GREGG proposed to employ that motor, protecting his propelling apparatus by a device certainly effectual, if practicable.

This futuristic vessel concept from the War of 1812 era was never built, although another steam-powered "floating battery" was constructed: USS Demologos (also called USS Fulton). @ltwilliammowett put together a great write-up of her. Made too late in the war to see combat, Demologos eventually exploded while lying at anchor in 1829.

1862 Hampton Roads - Monitor vs Virginia - Howard Gerrard

March 8, 1862. The Battle of Hampton Roads begins as CSS Virginia and two other wooden warships sail into Hampton Roads to confront the Union squadron of five wooden frigates. Virginia takes a heavy toll, ramming and sinking the USS Cumberland before turning her guns on USS Congress. After an hour and a half of combat, Congress surrendered. Though the battle would continue the next day, culminating in the famous clash of the ironclads, the first day proved the superiority of ironclad warships over wooden ones and sent mass panic through Washington, D.C.

The Confederate States Navy CSS Stonewall. An ironclad warship sold to the Confederacy by France.