Final answer:
The battle between the Union ship Monitor and the Confederate ship Virginia ended without a clear victory for either side, making the answer 'c. neither side could claim victory.'
Step-by-step explanation:
The outcome of the battle at sea between the Union ship Monitor and the Confederate ship Virginia did not result in a decisive victory for either side. The Monitor and the Virginia, formerly known as the Merrimack, clashed on March 9, 1862, at the Battle of Hampton Roads. It was the first engagement between ironclad warships and attracted significant attention for its potential to change naval warfare.
The Virginia had been causing havoc for the Union blockade the previous day, but the arrival of the Monitor led to a historic battle. The ships fought for hours, with both sides landing blows but neither able to secure a definitive advantage. The battle exhausted both combatants, and they eventually disengaged. The encounter ended inconclusively, leading to a strategic stalemate. Neither the Union nor the Confederacy could claim total victory. The correct answer to the question regarding the outcome of the battle is c. neither side could claim victory.