Definition: A monitor watches over an area, person or special day. It was 150 years ago this past week that in our American History we remember The Battle of Hampton Roads….the Clash of the Ironclads. It was the sea battle during the Civil War between the USS Monitor and CSS Virginia. In the past week, I was able to travel to Virginia and visit the Maritime Museum where I learned much about these two boats and their history. Here is my quick historical review. USS Monitor