An undated photograph provided by Naval History and Heritage Command of a scale model of CSS Virginia from the Los Angeles Museum made by Alexander Lynch.

WASHINGTON (Feb. 19, 2013) An undated photograph provided by Naval History and Heritage Command of a scale model of CSS Virginia from the Los Angeles Museum made by Alexander Lynch. The Confederate navy ironclad took on the U.S. Navy's USS Monitor during the Battle of Hampton roads off the coast of Virginia. Monitor made nautical history after being designed and assembled in 118 days, and then commissioned Feb. 25, 1862. Fighting in the first battle between two ironclads in the Battle of Hampton Roads on Mar. 9, 1862, the engagement marked the first time iron-armored ships clashed in naval warfare and signaled the end of the era of wooden ships. Though the Monitor's confrontation with the CSS Virginia ended in a draw, the Monitor prevented the Virginia from gaining control of Hampton Roads and thus preserved the Federal blockade of the Norfolk area. The Virginia, built on the carcass of the U.S. Navy frigate USS Merrimack, was the Confederate answer to the Union's ironclad ships. (U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Naval History and Heritage Command) File# 130219-N-ZZ999-507