Description: 3" x 4" photograph of a Monitor replica from the collection of models for the Ohio State School for the Blind. The Monitor, an iron-clad warship, is famous for its duel with the Merrimac, in the American Civil War. The Battle of Hampton Roads, often called the Battle of the Monitor and Merrimac, received worldwide publicity as the first fight between two iron-clad ships. The Monitor, an iron-clad ship of unique design, was described by people as a "cheese box on a raft." The ship had a low deck, 172 feet long and 42 feet wide, that water easily rolled over it. At its center, was a revolving circular turret, 20 feet in diameter and 9 feet high, with two powerful XI-inch Dahlgren, smooth-bore cannons that could pour fire in all directions. Neither ship was materially damaged in the battle, but a lucky shot by the Merrimac through a sight-hole blinded the commanding officer of the Monitor. The inconclusive battle ended when the Monitor withdrew, as did the Merrimac shortly after. Model dimensions: length 14.5", width 3.5", height 3.5". Photographs and descriptions of models were included in the book "Models for the Blind," compiled by workers of the Ohio Writers' Program. The book was meant as a guide, to be used in the building and study of models, and as documentation of the achievements at the Ohio State School for the Blind. The models were a result of research, design and construction by employees of the Works Projects Administration. Models were made of durable materials to withstand regular usage. The average cost of labor for larger models was $45. A special room was built to store the models where teachers could borrow them to be used in classroom instruction. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B11F02_044_001
Subjects: United States. Work Projects Administration; Blind--Education--Ohio; Ohio State School for the Blind; Warships Models
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: 3" x 4" photograph of a Merrimac replica from the collection of models for the Ohio State School for the Blind. The Merrimac, an iron-clad warship, is famous for its duel with the Monitor, in the American Civil War. The Battle of Hampton Roads, often called the Battle of the Monitor and Merrimac, received worldwide publicity as the first fight between two iron-clad ships. In the summer of 1861, Washington officials were informed that the Confederates had raised the sunken federal ship, Merrimac, from the bottom of the Elizabeth River,where it had been scuttled, and were restoring and outfitting it as an iron-clad warship. The wooden ship was cut down to its water line, then four inch thick iron plates of sloping structure were placed over the hull. An iron pilot house, barely a yard high, was built near the rear of the ship.Extending from the sides of the sloping main structure were 10 cannons. While a powerful ram of cast iron, wedge-shaped and 1,500 pounds was added to the prow. Neither ship was materially damaged in the battle, but a lucky shot by the Merrimac through a sight-hole blinded the commanding officer of the Monitor. The inconclusive battle ended when the Monitor withdrew, as did the Merrimac shortly after. Model dimensions: length 23", width 6", height 8.5". Photographs and descriptions of models were included in the book "Models for the Blind," compiled by workers of the Ohio Writers' Program. The book was meant as a guide, to be used in the building and study of models, and as documentation of the achievements at the Ohio State School for the Blind. The models were a result of research, design and construction by employees of the Works Projects Administration. Models were made of durable materials to withstand regular usage. The average cost of labor for larger models was $45. A special room was built to store the models where teachers could borrow them to be used in classroom instruction. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B11F02_037_001
Subjects: United States. Work Projects Administration; Blind--Education--Ohio; Ohio State School for the Blind; Warships Models
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)