Civil War Lecture: Uss Camanche

Join author and historian John V. Quarstein, director emeritus of the USS Monitor Center, and guest speaker Robert Bailey as the duo share the story of the West Coast ironclad USS Camanche.

The March 9, 1862 Battle of Hampton Roads fought by the ironclads USS Monitor and CSS Virginia changed the future of naval warfare. The Union commissioned the next generation of monitors, 10 new Passaic-class ironclads. California had sided with the Union and petitioned Washington, D.C., for a modern naval ship to protect San Francisco's harbor. Gold and silver continued to flow en route to the East Coast to fund the war effort. Thus, an innovative plan was hatched to construct USS Camanche.

Civil engineer Robert Bailey will share the incredible story of this monitor, built in New Jersey, disassembled, and shipped in pieces to the West Coast via the clipper ship Aquila. But not all went as planned! Find out from Bailey: Is it possible to sink a ship before it’s launched?

Attendees are welcome to send comments or questions to John and Robert, and they will answer following the lecture.

Free with $1 admission, and free for Mariners' Museum Members. This event may also be viewed online for free.