From the Back Cover
Ironclads: The Monitor and the Merrimac tells the story of two astonishing vessels that fought the most memorable naval battle of the Civil War and revolutionized maritime warfare. Noted experts discuss how the two distinctive ships came to be built and how they influenced later fighting craft. The designs for the revolutionary ships are explained using original blueprints, a sample of the protective armor from the Merrimac and the actual builder's model used in the construction of the Monitor. A comprehensive collection of period prints, etchings, photographs and paintings recreates the first battle between iron ships. The half-hour program concludes with dramatic undersea images of the Monitor now resting on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Narrated by Edwin Newman, former network news correspondent, presidential debate moderator and author. Period and original music by two-time Grammy Award-winner Jon Carroll.