John Lorimer Worden Papers

Sketch of John Lorimer Worden and a View of the Epic Sea Battle between the Original Ironclads

Background about the most famous naval battle of the American Civil War

In the public mind, John L. Worden is chiefly associated with the naval engagement of the "Monitor" and the "Merrimac[k]." The Merrimack, a scuttled Union frigate, was converted by Confederate engineers with the latest ironclad shielding in their attempt to reduce the North's great naval advantage. It was rechristened the C.S.S. "Virginia."

On the day before the engagement between the two ironclads, the C.S.S. "Virginia" arrived at Hampton Roads, Virginia, where they opened an intense volley of fire from their threatening turrets (March 8, 1862), sinking two of the wooden warships belonging to the Union fleet. The commander of the "Virginia," Franklin Buchanan, was poised to do further damage to the remaining vessels, but during the course of battle was wounded and replaced by a perhaps over-cautious naval officer, Catesby ap Roger Jones, who had aided in the construction of the ironclad vessel. Although the fleet of wooden ships of the U.S. Navy would have been easy targets, because they were without the protection of ironplating, unlike the C.S.S. "Virginia," further engagements were not to take place that evening. The Confederate vessel was lead away from any further naval action, it being determined by Jones that enough engagement had taken place during the first day of combat.

While the first day's battle activity consisted predominantly of successes for the "Virginia," the next day the tables were turned when the newly constructed ironclad, the U.S.S. "Monitor," contended for victory. The momentous battle on the seas was fought on March 9, 1862, beginning with the first volley of fire, and lasted for more than three hours.

The appearance of the "Monitor," commanded by Lieutenant John L. Worden, has become the most famous naval battle of the Civil War. It was a strategic battle for the side of the Union because it prevented the destruction of the fleet of wooden ships in the harbor. It saved the "Minnesota" and the other federal vessels from what would have been a devastating attack by the Confederate ironclad warship. Another result of this momentous battle at sea was that it placed the Union in an advantageous position, and therefore served as a strong warning to keep England from legitimizing an alliance with the Confederacy.

The invention of the ironclad design belongs to the misunderstood genius, John Ericsson, an immigrant twice-removed from Sweden. Before landing in the United States, he lived among the English for over 10 years (ca. 1827-1839). The British Admiralty was not interested in one of his inventions, and their lack of interest contributed to the ruin of Ericsson's personal finances and landed him in debtor's prison. He appeared in Washington, D.C., during the later months of 1839, where the government made good use of him. Ericsson designed the U.S. Navy's first steam-powered vessel, the U.S.S. "Princeton." It was not entirely smooth-sailing for him though, especially when he was blamed for an explosion aboard ship when a 12-inch gun exploded, an explosion that killed two high-ranking officials in the Tyler Administration and a naval officer. Ericsson re-entered the governmental scene during the American Civil War, submitting his design for an ironclad to the Department of the Navy. Though many doubted that the vessel would stay afloat or ever be rewarding, the plan was finally accepted. The battle with the C.S.S. "Virginia" proved that the vessel was indeed very serviceable to the Navy, because the ironclad technology ultimately gave the leading advantage to the Union. The innovative method of ironclad shipbuilding that utilized metal, instead of wood, produced vessels that could withstand heavy attacks. In effect, the ironclad vessels became "armored" warships

Rear Admiral John Lorimer Worden

Rear Admiral John Lorimer Worden led a long and successful career in the U.S. Navy, and certainly the battle between the innovative ironclad vessels was a pivotal event during the Civil War that has received much well deserved attention. In contrast, it is nearly impossible to discover a full-length biography of Worden. Of notable mention, among biographical imprints, is a 1988 government publication: the Historical report series; [v.l, no. 2], published by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It contains biographies of the ship captains of the U.S.S. "Monitor." It is entitled:

Ironclad captains: the commanding officers of the USS Monitor, authored by William N. Still, Jr.; with Dina B. Hill, editor.

A summary of key events in Worden's distinguished life and career include the following:

John Lorimer Worden was born in the town of Mount Pleasant, Westchester County, New York on March 12, 1818. At five years of age, his parents moved to the town of Fishkill, New York, where he received a co=on school education. The desire to be afloat was continuously in his dreams, so he therefore attended, and later graduated from the Naval School at the Naval Asylum at Philadelphia.

He received a commission as Midshipman on June 1, 1835, the appointment effective from January 10, 1834, it being just a few months before his 16th birthday. He was ordered to the Sloop of War "Erie," under Captain Percival, on May 5, 1834. Worden's service aboard the vessel, which was engaged in service at her South American "station," lasted until September 20, 1837, at which point he was detached on leave at Boston. He was on leave of absence for less than a year, when he was ordered to the Boston Navy Yard. He was detached from the Navy Yard of Boston and ordered to the Sloop of War "Cyane" on May 3rd, 1838. There he served aboard the vessel at her Mediterranean "station" until Dec. 9, 1839. He was detached during the same month, while at Malta, and ordered home to prepare for an examination. The examination would, and did, lead to a promotion at the Naval School at the Naval Asylum (Philadelphia). He graduated and was promoted to Passed Midshipman on July 16, 1840. Dating from Nov. 30, 1846, his rank was that of Lieutenant.

Worden participated in routine peace-time naval assignments prior to the Civil War. On April 6, 1861, he reported to Admiral S.H. Stringham, and he was assigned to the North Atlantic Squadron with special land duty. However, he received an urgent message from Gideon Welles, the Secretary of the Navy, on April 8, 1861, wanting Worden to leave immediately for Pensacola, Florida. His mission was to personally direct Capt. Henry A. Adams ( co=anding the naval force off that harbor) to reinforce Fort Pickens.

Travelling southward to Fort Pickens, Worden was granted a pass at Gen. Braxton Bragg's check point, due to an agreement of not hindering military co=unications, and he reached the undecided Capt. Adams, giving him the secret orders to not surrender to the secessionists. It was enroute back North by train, that Worden was seized and held at Montgomery, Alabama, for several months until he was released by the Confederates several months later. As one of the first Union prisoners to be captured by the Confederacy, he was shown considerable kindness, even given permission to take walks beyond his place of confinement based on a promise given by Worden not to attempt an escape. His wife, of course, :frantically wrote letters to the Navy Department to secure a release for her husband. Soon after his return to the North, he was appointed the command of the "Monitor."

Worden commanded the ironclad vessel "Monitor" in the naval battle with the C.S.S. "Virginia, i.e. the "Merrimac[k]. During the battle, Worden was blinded by an explosion, whereupon the co=and was taken up by Lt. Greene, the second-incommand. The battle between the two ironclads was actually a draw, with the withdrawal of the "Virginia," however, the deterrence provided by the "Monitor" effectively protected the U.S. Navy fleet, keeping the remaining fleet safe from destruction.

After the battle, the Captain, Officers, and Crew were given a vote of thanks by Congress, and Worden received promotions to Commander and Captain. Occurring close in time to that event, President Lincoln made a personal visit to the bedside of Worden, who was then recuperating at the home of a fellow officer in Washington, D.C.

Following his recuperation, Worden co=anded the U.S.S. "Montauk" in the South Atlantic blockade squadron near Port Royal, S.C. Under Worden's command, the ironclad destroyed the rebel steamer "Nashville" in the Ogeechee River in Georgia. Soon afterwards, he left the "Montauk" and returned to New York to help supervise the construction of advanced models of ironclad warships, which he did until the end of the war.

Worden continued in the Navy during peacetime, receiving a promotion to Commodore during the Johnson Administration and was commissioned Rear Admiral in 1872. He retired in 1886 as Rear Admiral of the U.S. Navy. During these years before his retirement, he was in command of the "Pensacola" in the Pacific squadron, and he assumed special duties for the Navy Department. For a brief span from 1870-1874, he served as superintendent of the Naval Academy. He also served as commander-in-chief of the European squadron and served on the Naval Retirement Board (of which he became the chairman).

The distinguished career of Rear Admiral Worden was one of dedication, loyalty, and detern:rination. His lengthy career was very productive, and his fame is known to schoolchildren across the nation who read of the historic sea battle between the two opposing ironclads.