The Mariners Museum in Newport News, Virginia hosted a Civil War Navy Conference in early March to mark the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Hampton Roads, when for the first time, ironclads battled during the Civil War. In this battle, the Union ship, the USS Monitor, faced off with the Confederate ship, the CSS Virginia, in 1862.
David Gerleman talked about the discussions in the North and various suggestions made to President Lincoln and Navy Secretary Gideon Welles for fighting the USS Merrimack, renamed the CSS Virginia by the Confederates. He showed some slides during his presentation, following which he responded to questions from members of the audience.
“'Sink the Merrimac!': Northern Plans, Schemes, and Inventions to Destroy the Rebel Ram” was a talk at the Civil War Navy Conference, held at the Mariners' Museum.