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| The initial crew of the Monitor was made up of volunteers, some of whom had emigrated to the US from Northern Europe. The youngest was 18 while the oldest was 38. |
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1854 |
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September
Swedish inventor John Ericsson submits plans to French Emperor Napoleon III for an "impregnable battery" that includes a revolving cupola. |
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1861 |
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August 3
The United States Navy Department advertises for proposals for ironclad warships.
August 29
In a letter to Abraham Lincoln, John Ericsson offers to construct a "vessel for the destruction of the rebel fleet at Norfolk."
September 11
Cornelius Bushnell presents a pasteboard model of Ericsson's "battery" to the navy's Ironclad Board and President Lincoln. After reviewing the model, the Ironclad Board invites Ericsson to come to Washington to answer additional questions about his design.
September 14
After meeting with the Board, Ericsson is instructed by Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles to "go ahead at once!" Ericsson has one hundred days to complete the vessel.
September 21
Ericsson is officially notified that his plan for an ironclad has been accepted.
September 27
Ericsson and his associates C.S. Bushnell, John Griswold, and John Winslow sign a formal contract stipulating that all four share equally in the profits or losses of the project. The keel plates for the battery begin being rolled at Continental Iron Works even though the government contract has not yet been drawn up.
October
Ericsson begins seeking qualified foundries and iron works to manufacture materials needed to construct his battery.
October 4
Ericsson and his "Battery Associates" sign a contract with the United States government for the construction of the battery for the sum of $275,000. The money is to be paid in five installments of $50,000 and one of $25,000. The Navy Department stipulates that 25 percent of each payment will be held back to ensure the timely completion of the vessel.
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November
The primary work for iron plate, castings, fittings, etc., is contracted out to three New York mills. Holdane & Co. contracts for 125 tons of plate, and Albany Ironworks and Rensselaer Ironworks manufacture hundreds of additional tons of plate and castings. H. Abbott & Sons of Baltimore rolls the 1-inch-thick iron plates for the turret to be shipped to Novelty Ironworks in New York for assembly into Ericsson's "shotproof" tower. Delmater Ironworks and the Clute Brothers Foundry cast and assemble most of the components of the ship's machinery. Throughout the month, work on the iron battery proceeds at a "feverish pace." Materials from the foundries are assembled as soon as they arrive at Continental Iron Works. A ship-house 180 feet long is constructed over the ways to allow work to continue in bad weather and throughout the night.
November 16
Most of the iron frames of the hull are in place and deck beams are being installed.
December 5
Ericsson receives a letter from Commodore Joseph Smith informing him that he has been made aware of serious delays in material production. "I beg of you to push up the work. I shall demand heavy forfeiture for delay over the stipulated time of completion. You have only thirty-nine days left."
December 17
The boilers and auxiliary machinery arrive at Continental Iron Works.
December 30
Boiler fires are lit and the steam machinery tested. |
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