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Ironclad Revolution
Conservators will be working on Monitor's 30-ton side-lever
steam engine from January 26-29. They will begin the week by draining the
tank and performing an initial visual assessment of the massive, concreted
artifact followed by photo-documentation. Analytical equipment such as
reference electrodes and pH probes will be recalibrated to provide accurate
data. Conservation staff will perform controlled deconcretion of the
artifact's surface in a few small areas using pneumatic chisels and hand
tools. Conservators will then disassemble a few copper alloy components
for continued treatment outside the large engine tank. They are also developing a
comprehensive deconcretion and disassembly plan. Fresh tap water and
sodium hydroxide will be added to the tank at the conclusion of the week.
Visit the museum or check us out online via our webcams to see the action!
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USS Monitor Engine
Right now online visitors can see the USS Monitor's vibrating side-lever steam
engine. The engine is a composite artifact, meaning that it is composed of many
different material types including wrought iron, cast iron, copper and copper
alloys, rubber, and glass.
Learn More
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USS Monitor Turret
Online visitors can always catch a glimpse of the USS Monitor's revolving
gun turret. The 120-ton wrought iron turret is visible whether the tank is
filled with 90,000 gallons of treatment solution or if conservators are inside
the turret performing treatment activities.
Learn More
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USS Monitor Dahlgren Guns
 This webcam shows the USS Monitor'stwo XI-inch Dahlgren shell guns and gun
carriages. Conservators are partially disassembling the 3,200-pound gun carriages, which
were rotated to their original upright positions.
Learn More
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