Monitor was a much smaller six-knot coastal vessel armed with two powerful 11-inch Dahlgren smoothbores and protected by heavy armour. Its later loss in a storm shows the limits of treating it as an ocean-going opponent. A night or dawn attack on Warrior would require the British ship to stop in reachable waters and its sentries to fail. If Warrior were caught in shallow water, Monitor might gain a favourable stern position and inflict damage. Warrior’s armoured bulkheads could contain that damage. Because Warrior could remain at sea and choose her range, the Royal Navy could usually avoid the close engagement that suited Monitor.
Chapter · 23:00-25:26
Monitor’s coastal strengths and tactical limits
Monitor’s heavy guns and armour create danger in shallow water, but Warrior’s greater speed and ocean-going capability let it refuse the close duel.