<P> The Battle of Hampton Roads , often referred to as either the Battle of the Monitor and Merrimack ( or Virginia ) or the Battle of Ironclads , was the most noted and arguably most important naval battle of the American Civil War from the standpoint of the development of navies . It was fought over two days , March 8 -- 9 , 1862 , in Hampton Roads , a roadstead in Virginia where the Elizabeth and Nansemond rivers meet the James River just before it enters Chesapeake Bay adjacent to the city of Norfolk . The battle was a part of the effort of the Confederacy to break the Union blockade , which had cut off Virginia 's largest cities , Norfolk and Richmond , from international trade . </P>
<P> The Battle of Hampton Roads , often referred to as either the Battle of the Monitor and Merrimack ( or Virginia ) or the Battle of Ironclads , was the most noted and arguably most important naval battle of the American Civil War from the standpoint of the development of navies . It was fought over two days , March 8 -- 9 , 1862 , in Hampton Roads , a roadstead in Virginia where the Elizabeth and Nansemond rivers meet the James River just before it enters Chesapeake Bay adjacent to the city of Norfolk . The battle was a part of the effort of the Confederacy to break the Union blockade , which had cut off Virginia 's largest cities , Norfolk and Richmond , from international trade . </P>
where did the battle of two ironclad ships take place in virginia waters
where did the battle of two ironclad ships take place in virginia waters
Hampton Roads , a roadstead in Virginia where the Elizabeth and Nansemond rivers meet the James River just before it enters Chesapeake Bay adjacent to the city of Norfolk
Hampton Roads , a roadstead in Virginia where the Elizabeth and Nansemond rivers meet the James River just before it enters Chesapeake Bay adjacent to the city of Norfolk