Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 29:30-30:40

How would USS Monitor fare against HMS Warrior?

Warrior could exploit speed, ocean-going endurance, and mass rather than accepting Monitor's preferred close-range turret duel.

HMS Warrior (1860)IroncladsShip DesignUSS Monitor
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Question

Who would win a fight between USS Monitor and HMS Warrior?

Short answer

Warrior could avoid Monitor, outlast her at sea, or use superior speed and mass to ram if forced into close action.

Notes

The matchup illustrates why local tactical strength does not make a coastal ship a successful oceanic combatant. At Warrior's normal operating distance, Monitor might fail to survive the sea conditions long enough to force battle. If the ships did close, Warrior's speed and mass offered the option of ramming the less maneuverable monitor. The simplest response was to remain offshore or sail past, denying Monitor the kind of confined-water engagement for which she was designed.