Final answer:
The CSS Virginia was the first ironclad deployed by the Confederacy in the Civil War to challenge the Union's naval blockade. Both the CSS Virginia and the USS Monitor, the Union's ironclad, changed naval warfare with their historic clash at the Battle of Hampton Roads.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first ironclad deployed into the naval battles of the Civil War by the Confederacy was the CSS Virginia. The Confederacy utilized ironclads like the CSS Alabama and CSS Florida, which were armored blockade runners, designed to breach the Union's naval blockade. Although not initially deployed in marine battles, the USS Constitution, nicknamed "Old Ironsides," was a notable American-designed frigate from an earlier era, famous for its escapades during the War of 1812.
The innovation of ironclads brought significant advancements to naval warfare in the Civil War, with the Union and the Confederacy both seeking to utilize these powerful vessels to gain the upper hand. The CSS Virginia played a significant role in the famous Battle of Hampton Roads against the Union's USS Monitor in March 1862, marking the history of naval warfare with the clash of these ironclads.
The Union also responded to the naval blockade with the USS Monitor, which was an ironclad warship of its own, and it faced the CSS Virginia in a significant battle that ended in a stalemate, proving the effectiveness and durability of ironclad ships. This innovation in maritime technology marked a turning point in the history of naval warfare.