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Section 3: The Battles (Lite)
On March 8, the Virginia, accompanied by other Confederate vessels, attacked the blockading Union vessels. She rammed and sunk the USS Cumberland and destroyed the USS Congress. She sustained minor damage.
On March 9, the Monitor, under Captain John Worden, engaged the Virginia for four hours and both ships suffered significant damage. But while the Monitor soon returned to duty, the Virginia was under repair for a month. When the Virginia returned to service, both ships threatened each other on the water but never engaged in battle.