Final answer:
The Monitor vs. Merrimack, also known as the Battle of Hampton Roads, was a significant naval battle during the American Civil War that marked the beginning of ironclad warfare.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Monitor vs. Merrimack, also known as the Battle of Hampton Roads, was a significant naval battle that took place during the American Civil War. It occurred in 1862 and was a clash between the ironclad warships USS Monitor and CSS Virginia (formerly known as the USS Merrimack).
The Monitor, built for the Union, and the Virginia, built for the Confederacy, were the first ironclad warships to engage in combat. The battle ended in a draw, with neither ship able to sink the other, but it marked a turning point in naval warfare and highlighted the importance of ironclads.
This battle demonstrated that wooden warships were vulnerable to destruction by ironclads, revolutionizing naval warfare. It showed the potential of ironclads as powerful and nearly indestructible vessels that could withstand heavy fire. The Monitor vs. Merrimack battle paved the way for the future development and use of ironclad warships.