The Monitor and the Merrimac tells the story of the two astonishing vessels that fought the most memorable naval battle of the Civil War, and revolutionized maritime warfare.
Noted experts discuss how they influenced later fighting craft.
The designs of the revolutionary ships are explained using original blueprints, a sample of 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 re-creates 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 R. Newman, former network news correspondent, presidential debate moderator and author. Period and original music by two-time Grammy Award winner Jon Carroll.