monitor

The beginning of the ironclad was born in the Crimean War (1853-1856) when the French and British used iron barges loaded with guns to attack Russian fortifications. These impenetrable batteries were not self propelled and had to be towed into position. Ironclads were prompted by the devastation of wooden ships caused by shells. They were steam powered and would be plated in iron, with strong wooden supports behind. When the War of the States broke out, rumors spread quickly through the north that the Confederacy was building a sea monster that would break the blockade. These rumors flew true. At the outbreak of the Civil War, a major shipyard, Norfolk, had found itself behind enemy lines. While the US Navy tried to save as much as possible, they could not save everything, including many frigates, sloops and other war ships. These had to be burned. One of the most modern ships that was left behind was regretfully the USS Merrimack, a steam frigate and the flagship of the Pacific squadron. It was only partially burned and the Confederacy began building the CSS Virginia out of it’s remains, their first ironclad vessel. In the north, something had to be done. Quickly John Ericsson’s idea was adopted; to build a low draft, sleek profile ironclad, with rotating turret. When these two ships faced off at Hampton roads, they could not determine victor, and both ships successfully withstood the attack. The tactics of naval battles were changing. Both sides built a number of ironclads during the war. The North built 84 ironclad warships, and the Confederacy built around 30. The vast majority of the ironclads built by the Union were monitor class ships. Monitor ships were only fit for river and coastal service, else they flounder and sink.

Information

Attacks (damage × count)

	heavy shot (60 pounder)	impact	16 × 3	ranged	(no counter-attack)
	shell (60 pounder)	fire	11 × 4	ranged	(slows, stun, no counter-attack)

Resistances

	blade	30%			pierce	80%
	impact	80%			fire	60%
	cold	0%			arcane	60%