"Launched in 1862, the USS MONITOR featured some of the latest advancements in ship propulsion, vessel construction, and weaponry. The Monitor’s designer, John Ericsson, produced an ingenious ship with a low freeboard and ship silhouette, primary iron ship construction, below the waterline operating systems, and a rotating turret."

Northrop Grumman Newport News, The Mariners’ Museum, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the United States Navy, together, constructed a full-scale replica of the USS Monitor that was christened at The Mariners’ Museum, Newport News, Virginia on June 11, 2006. The next special event will be the official opening of the USS MONITOR Center at The Mariners’ Museum on March 9, 2007.

My wife, Inez, and I started out by car from New York early on Friday morning. Our first stop was the Swedish Museum in Philadelphia where we met with Margaretha Talerman. The museum has two rooms dedicated to John Ericsson and extensive collections including documents and books. The next day we spent in Williamsburg, Virginia, rich in colonial history of USA.

Sunday morning we went to Newport News. It is close to Hampton Roads where the famous battle between the "ironclads" took place in March 1862. Kimberly Hansin of The Mariners Museum welcomed us to the Christening Ceremony. At the Ceremony we met with Janice Weinmann, Vice President and George Weinmann a life member of John Ericsson Society. Janice and George are founders of the Greenpoint Monitor Museum in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, where the USS Monitor was built.

    
John B. Hightower, Clive Cussler and Nancy Petters
 

The program began with a welcome address, delivered by John B. Hightower, President and CEO of The Mariners’ Museum, followed by ringing the new ship’s bell on the Monitor turret. Music was provided by The Atlantic Fleet Band, and The National Anthem sung by Michael Saul of the Collections Management department of The Mariners Museum (and baritone with the local opera company). Invocation was given by Chaplain Donald Cramblit, CDR United States Navy Command Chaplain USS Carl Vinson. The Honorable Joe Frank, Mayor of Newport News, extended a welcome from the host city. This was followed by remarks from special guest speakers: Mike Petters, Corporate Vice President and President Northrop Grumman Newport News; Captain Craig McLean, Deputy Assistant Administrator, National Ocean Service, NOAA; Rear Admiral Frederic R. Ruehe, United States Navy Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic. Keynote Speaker was Clive Cussler, author of many popular books related to history and mariners’ life. Nancy Petters, Ship’s Sponsor, John Hightower, and Clive Cussler performed the Christening Ceremony with the customary bottle of "American sparkling white wine". Before the closing remarks by John Hightower the Tidewater Maritime Living History Association gave a three gun salute using an antique cannon from the Civil War.

After a tour of the Museum and the USS Monitor, a reception was held in the CSS Virginia Courtyard. During the reception we met with many persons involved in the project, including John D. Broadwater, Program Manager, National Marine Sanctuary Program and David W. Alberg, Sanctuary Superintendent, U.S. Department of Commerce.

The event was documented by photos that have been organized for presentation as a slideshow. On the return to New York we made a brief stop for additional photos at the John Ericsson Memorial in West Potomac Park, Washington D.C.

Leif G. Brisfjord

President
John Ericsson Society, New York