PS 161M - Page 3

THE GREENPOINT MONITOR MUSEUM
"ROAD SHOW"
APRIL 26, 2002

Presented At:

P.S. 161M

Page - 3

Janice comparing the USS Monitor with the US Navy sailing frigates.
When John Ericsson made his proposal to President Abraham Lincoln
to build the Monitor, the US Navy was still proud of its wooden sailed
frigates. The last sailing frigate designed for the United States Navy
was the CONGRESS which was launched in 1841. The Congress
represented the highest development of the frigate class. It was sunk
in the battle of Hampton Roads in Virginia in 1862 during the
Civil War. This battle also saw the introduction of the US Navy's
new form of warship, John Ericsson's ironclad, the USS MONITOR,
during the famous BATTLE OF THE MONITOR & MERRIMAC.

Student points to the USS Monitor's revolving turret. The turret
was constructed with 8 inch thick armor plate. It contained
two 11 inch Dahlgren canons.

"Sallie" the Staffordshire Bull Terrier mascot of the
Union's 11th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry and
"Stonewall" the Jack Russell Terrier mascot of the
Confederate's Richmond Howitzers were introduced to the class.
A bronze statue of Sallie rests at the base of the 11th
Pennsylvania monument in the Gettysburg National Military
Park where Sallie stood watch over her fallen friends
during the Battle of Gettysburg.
The life of a soldier was very difficult. Mascots
often brought laughter to the sad life of their soldier friends.
Everyone in camp taught Stonewall tricks. A Sergeant
carved him a wood pipe. Stonewall would love to sit up with
his pipe held between his teeth.

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THE GREENPOINT MONITOR MUSEUM
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Brooklyn, New York 11222-0378
718-383-2637