@MonitorNMS

Monitor National Marine Sanctuary protects the USS Monitor. Visit our web site to learn about the Monitor and the work we do to protect our maritime heritage.

 Newport News, VA
monitor.noaa.gov
Joined April 2009
  • Tweets1.8K
  • Following110
  • Followers634
838Media
The U.S. Government is closed & this account will not be updated. @NOAA websites & social media necessary to protect lives & property WILL be maintained. For critical weather info, visit weather.gov Learn more: commerce.gov/news/blog/
2
38
#NotesFromTheField: @MonitorNMS partnered with the @MarinersMuseum and Instant Teams to co-host Month of the Military Child, an annual awareness campaign recognizing the sacrifices made by military kids and their families. Read the full field note: sanctuaries.noaa.gov/notes
People stand under a tent at an outdoor outreach event. Credit: Shannon Ricles/NOAA

ALT People stand under a tent at an outdoor outreach event. Credit: Shannon Ricles/NOAA

A woman helps a young girl learn about various shipwreck artifacts displayed on a table. Credit: Jessica Frayser/NOAA

ALT A woman helps a young girl learn about various shipwreck artifacts displayed on a table. Credit: Jessica Frayser/NOAA

1
1
6
534
Join us tomorrow, March 8, from 10am-2pm at the @MarinersMuseum! Spend a historic day with us to commemorate the Battle of Hampton Roads and celebrate the 50th anniversary of Monitor’s designation as the nation’s first national marine sanctuary.
50th Anniversary logo for Monitor National Marine Sanctuary. Graphic text: Ironclad Legacy Commemorating 50 years Monitor National Marine Sanctuary

ALT 50th Anniversary logo for Monitor National Marine Sanctuary. Graphic text: Ironclad Legacy Commemorating 50 years Monitor National Marine Sanctuary

2
38
Today, on the 50th anniversary of the designation of the first national marine sanctuary, we are honoring the crew of the Monitor, the scientists and archeologists who found the wreck, and the staff and partners who continue to interpret the Monitor for the American people.
50th Anniversary logo for Monitor National Marine Sanctuary. Graphic text: Ironclad Legacy 50 Years Monitor National Marine Sanctuary

ALT 50th Anniversary logo for Monitor National Marine Sanctuary. Graphic text: Ironclad Legacy 50 Years Monitor National Marine Sanctuary

2
19
959
Our 2024 #GetIntoYourSanctuary Photo Contest is now open! Submit your entries at sanctuaries.noaa.gov/photo-c… 📸
Collage of 2023 Get Into Your Sanctuary Photo Contest winners.

ALT Collage of 2023 Get Into Your Sanctuary Photo Contest winners.

Person taking a photo of a breathtaking sunset while standing on a rock near Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.

ALT Person taking a photo of a breathtaking sunset while standing on a rock near Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.

Diver with underwater camera taking a photo of a coral reef in Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.

ALT Diver with underwater camera taking a photo of a coral reef in Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.

4
11
631
Looking for a new cause in 2024? Join Sanctuary Advisory Council! The SAC allows the team of each sanctuary the opportunity to work with the local community. This is the best way to get involved with your favorite national marine sanctuary. Find more info on our website!
Council meeting at Nauticus in Norfolk, Va., on June 24, 2011. (Photo: Monitor Collection)

ALT Council meeting at Nauticus in Norfolk, Va., on June 24, 2011. (Photo: Monitor Collection)

2
124
Medal of Honor Ordinary Seaman John Jones and Luke Griswold were awarded the Medal of Honor for their conduct while rescuing crewmen from the sinking of USS 𝘔𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘰𝘳. Both were members of the 𝘙𝘩𝘰𝘥𝘦 𝘐𝘴𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥 crew at the time. 📸: @USNHistory
Five pointed bronze star tipped with trefoils containing a crown of laurel and oak. In the center is Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom and warfare, standing with left hand resting on fasces and right hand holding a shield blazoned with the escutcheon of the United States. She repulses discord, represented by a male figure holding snakes. It is made of solid red brass, oxidized and buffed.

ALT Five pointed bronze star tipped with trefoils containing a crown of laurel and oak. In the center is Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom and warfare, standing with left hand resting on fasces and right hand holding a shield blazoned with the escutcheon of the United States. She repulses discord, represented by a male figure holding snakes. It is made of solid red brass, oxidized and buffed.

Five pointed bronze star tipped with trefoils containing a crown of laurel and oak. In the center is Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom and warfare, standing with left hand resting on fasces and right hand holding a shield blazoned with the escutcheon of the United States. She repulses discord, represented by a male figure holding snakes. It is made of solid red brass, oxidized and buffed.

ALT Five pointed bronze star tipped with trefoils containing a crown of laurel and oak. In the center is Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom and warfare, standing with left hand resting on fasces and right hand holding a shield blazoned with the escutcheon of the United States. She repulses discord, represented by a male figure holding snakes. It is made of solid red brass, oxidized and buffed.

Halftone image published in Deeds of Valor, Volume II, page 40, by the Perrien-Keydel Company, Detroit, 1907. Ordinary Seaman Jones was awarded the Medal of Honor for his conduct while rescuing crewmen from the sinking USS Monitor, off Cape Hatteras during the night of 30-31 December 1862. He was a member of the crew of USS Rhode Island at the time. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

ALT Halftone image published in Deeds of Valor, Volume II, page 40, by the Perrien-Keydel Company, Detroit, 1907. Ordinary Seaman Jones was awarded the Medal of Honor for his conduct while rescuing crewmen from the sinking USS Monitor, off Cape Hatteras during the night of 30-31 December 1862. He was a member of the crew of USS Rhode Island at the time. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

1
5
815
As 2023 draws to a close we reflect on stories about the USS 𝘔𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘰𝘳, its crew, and the amazing scientific effort that continues to this day. Watch this YouTube video to learn more about the History of the iconic vessel: youtube.com/watch?v=1hWpY-xj…
1
62
It was morning on New Year’s Eve when the weather had turned so harsh that the captain ordered the crew to abandon 𝘔𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘰𝘳 and raised the signal of distress, a red lantern. 𝘙𝘩𝘰𝘥𝘦 𝘐𝘴𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥 dispatched lifeboats and rescued all but 16 men. 📸: @USNHistory
Image: Line engraving published in Harper's Weekly, 1863, depicting USS Monitor sinking in a storm off Cape Hatteras on the night of 30-31 December 1862. A boat is taking off crewmen, and USS Rhode Island is in the background.(

ALT Image: Line engraving published in Harper's Weekly, 1863, depicting USS Monitor sinking in a storm off Cape Hatteras on the night of 30-31 December 1862. A boat is taking off crewmen, and USS Rhode Island is in the background.(

1
51
Monitor’s Final Journey On this day the weather was finally clear enough for the USS 𝘙𝘩𝘰𝘥𝘦 𝘐𝘴𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥 to tow 𝘔𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘰𝘳 out of Hampton Roads towards Beaufort. Both vessels passed Cape Henry at around 6:00 in the evening and entered the Atlantic Ocean. 📸: @USNHistory
Line engraving of the uss monitor underway

ALT Line engraving of the uss monitor underway

1
53
Merry Monitor Monday! On this Christmas Day in 1862, many of the “Monitor Boys” chose to spend their weather delay celebrating the holidays on shore with fellow sailors. We don't have any photographs of that night so please enjoy this artist's reinterpretation.
A diver swims with presents surrounding by fish that are wearing santa hats.

ALT A diver swims with presents surrounding by fish that are wearing santa hats.

1
64
On this day … Christmas Eve 1862, orders came in for 𝘔𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘰𝘳 to proceed from Hampton Roads to Beaufort, N.C. (and continue onwards to Charleston) as soon as the weather allowed. It wouldn’t be until a few days later that 𝘔𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘰𝘳 would be able to head south.
An artist's concept of the Monitor’s Ward Room and some of the ship’s officers as illustrated in Harper’s Weekly, April 12, 1862. Image courtesy of Monitor 2001, Monitor Collection, NOAA/OER.

ALT An artist's concept of the Monitor’s Ward Room and some of the ship’s officers as illustrated in Harper’s Weekly, April 12, 1862. Image courtesy of Monitor 2001, Monitor Collection, NOAA/OER.

1
37
❄Think we’ll get snow this year?❄ Why wait? You can make your own winter wonderland with these special fishy snowflake templates! Bet you didn’t think we had our own snowflake designs did you? Choose your favorite design here: fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-s…

New Paper Snowflake Crafts to Help You Celebrate Winter

Here’s some paper craft fun to celebrate the winter season! Enjoy these downloadable and printable snowflake templates. Decorate your walls, windows, ceiling, holiday tree, and even your holiday...

fisheries.noaa.gov
1
44
Today is the darkest day of the year, when we can get a sense of what it's like in the low-light environment of a mesophotic coral ecosystem: oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/…
photo of a blue coral reef in dark water

ALT photo of a blue coral reef in dark water

11
31
2,588
Sea-son's greetings! Need a last minute holiday card? We’ve got you covered! Spread the cheer and download this and many more NOAA-themed cards to let your loved ones feel the festivities. Find them here: noaa.gov/education/NOAA-sea-…
graphic design of a holiday card

ALT graphic design of a holiday card

1
4
83
🎉Amazing work from our friends over at @noaacoastalsci !🎉
NOAA Coastal Ocean Science@noaacoastalsci19 Dec 2023
Shipwrecks are well-recognized as both cultural icons & ecological treasures that create homes for underwater life. An international team of ecologists & archaeologists synthesized how shipwrecks begin a “second life” as special ecological places: coastalscience.noaa.gov/news…
1
7
1,215
Merry Monitor Monday! Home for the holidays and need an activity for the young (or scientific) minds of the house? Try out our Oceanography in a mug activity! Hey, at the very least you get a tasty beverage out of it! Find them here: noaa.gov/education/photos-im…
Two cups filled with hot chocolate sit on a counter

ALT Two cups filled with hot chocolate sit on a counter

4
85
Hope you’ve been good! It’s thought that the weight of the coal contributed to the collapse of the turret's wood deck, but it is still unclear when this occurred. The coal piles reached all the way to the base of the turret at some points (remember the turret was upside down!).
Close-up of some loose and some concreted coal lying on the roof rails under the starboard gun carriage. Click image for larger view and detailed explanation.

ALT Close-up of some loose and some concreted coal lying on the roof rails under the starboard gun carriage. Click image for larger view and detailed explanation.

2
45
It’s Monitor Monday! When 𝘔𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘰𝘳’s hull finally came to rest on the seafloor the aft-most hatch of the port coal bunker ended up over the starboard gun. It’s impossible to know when, but at some point this hatch gave way and filled the turret with coal.
(l to r) Jeff Johnston, Dr. John Broadwater, and Tane Casserley with some of the coal that they have removed during the course of the turret excavation. Click image for larger view and detailed explanation.

ALT (l to r) Jeff Johnston, Dr. John Broadwater, and Tane Casserley with some of the coal that they have removed during the course of the turret excavation. Click image for larger view and detailed explanation.

4
49
It’s Fish Friday! Thanks to 𝘔𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘰𝘳’s presence on the seafloor, fish like the manta ray can be seen exploring the site. Shipwrecks in this area act like oases on the sandy bottom. Check out this manta captured by the 𝘑𝘰𝘩𝘯𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘚𝘦𝘢-𝘓𝘪𝘯𝘬 submersible in 2002.
A huge manta ray glides over the wreckage of the Monitor. An abundance of marine life has made the Monitor home. This image was taken from the submersible Johnson Sea-Link.Photo courtesy of Monitor Expedition 2002, NOAA/OER.

ALT A huge manta ray glides over the wreckage of the Monitor. An abundance of marine life has made the Monitor home. This image was taken from the submersible Johnson Sea-Link.Photo courtesy of Monitor Expedition 2002, NOAA/OER.

2
40
Load more