USS Monitor

The USS Monitor was an innovative American warship built during the Civil War, launched in 1862. It featured a revolutionary design with a low profile and a rotating gun turret, making it highly stable and capable of firing while maneuvering. Its revolutionary armor and turret system changed naval warfare, emphasizing armored, ironclad ships over wooden vessels. The Monitor played a key role in the Battle of Hampton Roads, demonstrating the effectiveness of ironclads. Despite its short service life, it remains a symbol of naval innovation and technological advancement in military history.