The Confederates began the work of converting the Merrimac in June, 1861. There were several frigates in the Union navy that might have been converted, with Northern resources, into more powerful ironclad batteries than the Merrimac was, but nothing was done until Congress met, and on August 3d made an appropriation for ironclads. Then designs were called for, and three were selected for acceptance after long consideration. One of these proved a failure as an ironclad. One proved a great success a year or so later (she was called the New Ironsides), and, fortunately, the third was of a design that might be built quickly and yet prove efficient. This ship was from the brain of John Ericsson, who had already revolutionized the navies of the world by introducing the submerged screw propeller; and the name which he gave to the marvel he produced, at once became generic.
Although Congress appropriated the money for ironclads on August 3d, the board appointed to consider plans did not convene until the 8th. It took them until September 8th to make up their minds, and it was not until October 4, 1861, that the final contract with Ericsson was signed. This was a needless delay, and this fact is worth emphasizing because it is not unlikely that similar delays will be experienced whenever the nation is again unexpectedly plunged into war.
The Giant and the Dwarfs; or John E. and the Little Mariners.
[From a Swedish caricature, February 10, 1867.]
John.—Come here, little boys, and I will show you. What do you say to this model of a gunboat for our coast defence?
The Little Boys.—Won’t do ... too small ... too heavy draught ... too large guns ... too light draught ... too large ... too small guns ... won’t do,—that’s what I say ... and I also,—because it isn’t our invention.
John.—Well, little boys, that is at least some reason.
But if the authorities were dilatory, the mechanics were not. The keel was stretched in that part of the Brooklyn water front called Greenpoint, before the end of the month, although working plans had to be laid in the mould loft and contracts for materials made. Three gangs of men were employed, working eight hours each in succession; the iron was kept hot from the day the work began until January 30, 1862, when the hull was sent afloat in the waters of the East River, under the name of Monitor.
