The CSS Virginia (Often referred to as the “Merrimac” after the Union Frigate that she was converted from.) was the first successful Confederate ironclad, starting an “ironclad arms race” that lasted throughout the war. She sank the Union blockade ships USS Cumberland and USS Congress the day before her battle with the Monitor. When the two ironclads met on the 9th of March they fought for over four hours without doing significant damage to each other. The battle ended inconclusively with both sides claiming victory (!) She was scuttled two months
later when her home base of Norfolk fell and her deep draft prevented her from being able to be evacuated upriver to Richmond. Specifications: Length-262’ 9”, Beam-51’ 4”, Draft-22’, Tonnage-3,200t, Speed-5 kts, Crew- 320, Armor-4”, Armament- Six IX in Dahlgren smoothbores, Two 6.4” Brooke rifles, and Two 7” Brooke rifles. Converted-Norfolk, VA. Refloated March 1862. The Model: 1/72 Scale, 44” Long. Model is in the configuration of the day she sallied forth on her shakedown cruise/first battle. She features such details as authentic wood and metal fittings and the 7 tons of pig iron hurriedly dumped on her fore deck for ballast.
