the USS Monitor

The USS Monitor was a pioneering ironclad warship built for the Union Navy during the American Civil War. Launched in 1862, it featured a groundbreaking design with a low, revolving gun turret, making it highly resistant to enemy fire and capable of firing in all directions. Its innovative armor and structure marked a significant advancement in naval technology, shifting warfare away from wooden ships. Although it sank in 1862 during a storm, the Monitor's design influenced future warship construction and demonstrated the importance of literacy on the battlefield, securing its place as an important milestone in naval history.