From Ironclads to Admiral Book Release

Image credit: John L. Worden on the deck of Montauk, 1863 (Museum Collection)

Throughout his 52-year career, Rear Adm. John Lorimer Worden was the right officer for the job. The epitome of an innovative commander who helped move the U.S. Navy out of the Age of Sail and into the era of steam/ironclad technology, Worden’s contributions extended far beyond his command of USS Monitor during the Battle of Hampton Roads and influenced naval leadership for decades to follow.

The Mariners’ Museum and Park will host the unveiling of the first biography written about Monitor’s former captain, From Ironclads to Admiral: John Lorimer Worden and Naval Leadership. The book, written by John V. Quarstein and Robert L. Worden, offers insightful details about the admiral’s career and his impact upon the Civil War’s ironclad revolution. Worden was much more than a combat officer; he also served in the Navy as a scientific officer, executive officer, fleet commander, and educator. His innovative spirit and dedication to service prompted many to say: “Let Worden Do It!”