USS Minnesota Victim of The CSS Merrimac

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2005

A great post-war ca. 1890 albumen image, measuring 4 1/4" x 6 3/8", showing the USS Minnesota docked in an unknown navy yard. Built in 1855, she was a steam driven screw frigate that weighted 3200 tons and was armed with 40 guns. When the war commenced she became part of the Atlantic Blockading Squadron and was resting at anchor in Hampton Roads on March 8, 1862. A little after 1 p. m. the dreaded ironclad CSS Virginia (a. k. a. Merrimac) attacked the Union fleet including the Minnesota. Within five hours the Virginia had destroyed the USS Congress, and Cumberland, and had run the Minnesota aground. The arrival of the USS Monitor saved the Minnesota from destruction the next day. She served faithfully throughout the remainder of the war and was present at the bombardment of Fort Fisher, N. C. in 1865. The image bears no photographer's imprint. Minor creases negligibly affect the mount, else very good.

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