A CLASH OF IRON

Written by

Richard Brent Reed

Based on the historical record

© 2014 Richard Brent Reed

WGA #1724017

Richard Brent Reed 5515 Malvern Way, Riverside, CA 92506 951 276 3322 [email protected] ii.

Synopsis On April 6, 1861, Lt. John Worden is sent to Florida on a secret mission, much to the chagrin of his Quaker wife, Olivia. War breaks out and Worden becomes the first prisoner of war of the Confederacy. Olivia persistently pesters the War Department to get her husband back. Worden is, finally, set free by a prisoner exchange in Virginia, where he sees the hull of the Merrimack being fitted with armor and guns. When he arrives in Washington, he signs on as captain of the Monitor, the Union's answer to the South's new ironclad. The Monitor breaks down during its trial run, but its designer, inventor John Ericsson, puts her to sea anyway. She reaches Chesapeake Bay just in time to prevent the Merrimack from wiping out the Union navy. Worden is the hero of the day and Olivia's eloquence on his behalf makes the Quaker congregation accept him. Main Characters John Worden Captain of the Monitor Olivia Worden John Worden's Quaker wife Mrs. Toffey Olivia's mother John Ericsson inventor of the Monitor Gideon Welles Secretary of the Navy Fox Assistant Secretary of the Navy Cameron Lincoln's first Secretary of War Stanton Secretary of War Bushnell a fellow inventor Green Worden's second-in-command Stimers & Newton The Monitor's engineers John LaMountain Union balloonist Mallory Confederate Secretary of the Navy Buchanan Captain of the Merrimack Lt. Catesby ap Roger Jones Capt. Buchanan's second-in-command Marie Louvestre slave and spy Daniel Logue The Monitor's ship's surgeon The Ironclad Committee: Smith; Davis; Paulding EXT. QUAKER HILL FRIENDS MEETING HALL, APRIL 6, 1861 - DAY LIEUTENANT JOHN WORDEN, in full-dress navy uniform, sits in a carriage, smoking a cigar.

INT. QUAKER HILL FRIENDS MEETING HALL - DAY The congregation sits in quiet study, meditation, and prayer. OLIVIA WORDEN, John’s wife, is sitting next to MRS. TOFFEY, her mother, who rises to speak. MRS. TOFFEY And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck a servant of the high priest’s and smote off his ear. Then said Jesus unto him, “Put up again thy sword into his place, for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.” Mrs. Toffey sits down. Olivia is steaming with sarcasm. OLIVIA Thank thee, Mother. MRS. TOFFEY Thee are welcome, Daughter.

EXT. QUAKER HILL FRIENDS MEETING HALL - DAY The meeting is letting out. Olivia comes out and climbs into the carriage. Mrs. Toffey comes out of the meeting hall, accompanied by her husband, HIRAM TOFFEY, John’s father-in- law. Hiram walks over to the carriage. HIRAM I do not believe as thee, John, but I respect thee. We battle, not with flesh and blood, but against princes and principalities. WORDEN Thank you, Hiram. Mrs. Toffey is standing impatiently some yards away. A Clash Of Iron 2.

MRS. TOFFEY Hiram! HIRAM A moment, Betsey. OLIVIA Thee had better go, Father. HIRAM God go with thee, John Worden. MRS. TOFFEY Hiram!! WORDEN And God go with thee, Hiram Toffey. Hiram goes to his wife’s side and waves. Mrs. Toffey scowls as John tips his cap, nods at her, and drives off. She, then, scowls at her waving husband.

EXT. THE WORDEN CARRIAGE - DAY WORDEN How did it go, Olivia? OLIVIA The usual: They that live by the sword shall die by the sword. WORDEN She never gives up, does she. OLIVIA No, she doesn’t. WORDEN How do I look? OLIVIA (Takes a lint brush out of her reticule and dusts John’s uniform.) As handsome as the day I married you, John. That Vincent knows his business. WORDEN You don’t think that I’ll be a might overdressed? A Clash Of Iron 3.

OLIVIA To meet Mr. Gideon Welles, the secretary of the navy? How often does that happen? WORDEN Not often. I wonder what it’s all about. OLIVIA Perhaps they intend finally to promote you. WORDEN A peace-time promotion? Not likely. OLIVIA With all this secession going on, war can’t be far away. I wish you’d go to church with me next Sunday, John. WORDEN This uniform would look a might out- of-place at a Quaker meeting. Besides, won’t your mother be there? OLIVIA She’s always there. Hasn’t missed a meeting in thirty-three years, except when she had me. WORDEN I’ve got no issue with your father. He’s a copperhead, but we get along fine. But your mother . . . There’s something about Quaker women. OLIVIA You knew I was a Quaker when you married me, John. WORDEN And you knew I was a military man, but you married me anyway. OLIVIA And you married me, as well, John, Quaker and all. A Clash Of Iron 4.

WORDEN Like I said: there’s something about you Quaker women. Besides, how could I resist the sweetest Toffey on Quaker Hill? OLIVIA And how could I resist the handsomest sailor in the U. S. Navy? Can you blame me for wanting to show you off to The Friends? WORDEN I don’t think the congregation would appreciate me showing up to Sunday Meeting dressed like this. I’m sure I would stand out. OLIVIA You would stand out anywhere, John Worden.

EXT. WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D.C. - DAY The carriage pulls up in front of the War Department. WORDEN Here we are. John and Olivia kiss like newlyweds. OLIVIA Now, off with you, Lieutenant. Don’t keep the secretary waiting. WORDEN I don’t know how long I’ll be. OLIVIA I’ll wait for you, John. Haven’t I always? Worden is hustles across the lawn toward the war department building.

INT. GIDEON WELLES’ OFFICE - DAY Secretary of the Navy GIDEON WELLES is staring out the window. There is a knock at the door. WELLES Enter, Lieutenant. A Clash Of Iron 5.

Lieutenant Worden enters smartly, removes his cap, and stands at attention. WORDEN Lieutenant John Worden, reporting as ordered, Mr. Secretary. WELLES At ease, Lieutenant. Have a seat. That’s a mighty spiffy uniform you are wearing. Who’s your tailor? WORDEN Vincent on First Street. When my wife heard that I was to call on the Secretary of the Navy, she laid out my dress blues. WELLES Good. It will impress General Bragg, when you meet him. WORDEN General Bragg? Worden sits. Welles crosses to a map of the United States over his desk. WELLES He is . . . was one of our generals, before Florida seceded. I have a special mission for you, Lieutenant Worden, if you are willing to take it on. (Pointing to the map) You are aware that several southern states have pulled out of the Union. WORDEN Yes, sir. WELLES We’ve decided to reinforce some of our military outposts south of the Mason-Dixon Line in case war breaks out. One of those is Fort Pickens in Pensacola, Florida. We plan to blockade the South, should it come to that, with Operation Anaconda. Bottling up the port of Pensacola is essential to that plan. Do you follow, Lieutenant? WORDEN Yes, sir. Where do I come in? A Clash Of Iron 6.

WELLES The USS Sabine is anchored just off the Florida coast, loaded to her gunnels with infantry. I want you to carry orders to Captain Adams to put those troops ashore and reinforce Fort Pickens. Will you take the assignment? WORDEN Yes, sir. WELLES This is a secret mission, Lieutenant. You will be carrying secret orders. Welles takes a packet of papers off of his desk and hands it to Worden, then takes a tooth brush out of his desk drawer. WELLES (CONT’D) You will leave, by train, this afternoon. From here. Don’t go back home. No one must know of your travel plans, not even your wife. Here’s a tooth brush. WORDEN She’s waiting in the carriage. WELLES We’ll tell her not to expect you for dinner. WORDEN What will you tell her after that? WELLES We’ll think of something. When you reach Pensacola you’ll need to get a pass from General Bragg. You can tell him you have new orders for Capt. Adams, but, under no circumstances are you to let him catch on that we intend to reinforce Fort Pickens. Welles takes train tickets off his desk; hands them to Worden. WELLES (CONT’D) Here are you train tickets: round trip. God go with you, Lt. Worden. Worden salutes and exits. A Clash Of Iron 7.

EXT. TRAIN HEADING THROUGH ALABAMA - DAY

INT. PASSENGER COMPARTMENT ON TRAIN - DAY Worden is reading a Harper’s Weekly as the Alabama countryside rolls by. A corner of the packet of secret orders is sticking out of his coat. Across from Worden sits CAPTAIN FLETCHER who has been watching Worden. FLETCHER Nice uniform, Lieutenant . . . WORDEN Worden. John Worden. FLETCHER My name is Fletcher. I’m attached to General Braxton Bragg at Pensacola. WORDEN This is a stroke of luck. I’m going to Pensacola to see General Bragg. FLETCHER I’ll be happy to take you to him. (Indicating the packet bulging from Worden’s coat.) Those despatches for General Bragg? WORDEN No. No, they’re not. I wonder if I have time to relieve myself. FLETCHER Last car. Worden sets his Harpers down and makes his way to the back of the train.

INT. LATRINE CAR - DAY Worden puts the lid down on the commode, sits, opens the packet, and starts memorizing the despatches.

INT. PASSENGER COMPARTMENT ON TRAIN - DAY Fletcher glances at his watch, then back at the latrine car. A Clash Of Iron 8.

INT. LATRINE CAR - DAY Worden lights a cigar, then sets fire to the despatches and throws them out the window.

INT. PASSENGER COMPARTMENT ON TRAIN - DAY Worden returns to his seat with a lit cigar in his mouth. FLETCHER I thought I smelled smoke. WORDEN A good Marsh Wheeling always loosens me up. Would you like one? FLETCHER No, thanks, Lieutenant. I reckon things are loose enough, right now. The CONDUCTOR strolls by. CONDUCTOR Mobile. Last stop, Mobile. End of the line. Everybody off. Mobile. Worden folds his paper and gets off the train with Fletcher. They set off to Bragg’s headquarters.

INT. GENERAL BRAGG’S HEADQUARTERS, MOBILE, ALABAMA - DAY BRAGG is seated at his desk, reading dispatches. Fletcher knocks and opens the door. FLETCHER General Bragg, there is a Lieutenant Worden here to see you. BRAGG Send him in. FLETCHER (Turning back to Worden) The general will see you, Lieutenant. Enter Worden. He salutes. Fletcher exits, closing the door. BRAGG At ease, Lieutenant. That’s a nice uniform, Lieutenant. Who’s your tailor? A Clash Of Iron 9.

WORDEN Vincent on First Street in Washington, sir. BRAGG I’ll have to look him up, after things settle down. What can I do for you? WORDEN I would like a pass to board our flag-of-truce vessel, the Wyandot, to take me out to the Sabine. BRAGG (Writing out the pass) The Sabine, you say. Bragg hands Worden the pass. BRAGG (CONT’D) I suppose you have despatches for Captain Adams? WORDEN I have no despatches, sir, but I have a verbal communication from the Navy Department. BRAGG Too embarrassing to put on paper, I suppose. About time Washington issued some sailing orders for that squadron parked off shore. I’ll be happy to see the last of them. WORDEN Thank you, General Bragg. BRAGG Not at all, Lt. Worden and give my compliments to Capt. Adams. Tell him I’ve got a position for him, if and when he’s willing to change navies. WORDEN I will, sir.

EXT. PENSACOLA HARBOR - EVENING The USS Sabine is at anchor with the rest of the squadron. Worden is being rowed out to the Sabine. A Clash Of Iron 10.

EXT. THE DECK OF THE SABINE - EVENING Worden is piped aboard.

INT. CAPTAIN ADAMS’ CABIN - EVENING CAPTAIN ADAMS is gazing out the aft windows at Pensacola. ADAMS Enter. Worden enters and salutes. Davis returns his salute, then goes back to gazing. WORDEN Captain Adams, my name is Worden. I have orders for you from Secretary Welles. ADAMS About time. Have a seat, Lieutenant. That’s some uniform. Vincent on First Street? WORDEN Yes, sir. ADAMS You must receive a lot of compliments. WORDEN I’m afraid so, sir. ADAMS Let’s see your orders, Lieutenant. WORDEN I burned them, sir. I had to burn the despatches. ADAMS I take it you read them first. WORDEN Yes, sir. You are to put your troops ashore to reinforce Fort Pickens. ADAMS I see. Are we at war, then? A Clash Of Iron 11.

WORDEN No, sir. Not yet. ADAMS Let’s hope that General Bragg doesn’t find out, or we will be.

INT. GENERAL BRAGG’S HEADQUARTERS - EVENING Bragg is sitting at his desk, fuming, as Fletcher reports. BRAGG They are what? FLETCHER The yanks are reinforcing Fort Pickens. They landed troops about an hour ago. BRAGG Worden. He made a fool of me. I thought he was here to order the surrender of Fort Pickens. Why didn’t you tell me he was . . . ? FLETCHER A Yankee? Something made me suspect that. Maybe it was his fancy, Yankee, dress-blue uniform. BRAGG Have him arrested --- as a spy. He can be the best dressed prisoner in the city jail. FLETCHER A spy? He’s in dress uniform. BRAGG So, he’s a spy disguised as a lieutenant in the United States Navy and I want him arrested. FLETCHER Yes, sir.

INT. PASSENGER COMPARTMENT ON TRAIN, APRIL 12, 1861 - EVENING Worden is heading north, through Alabama, flipping through Harper’s. The headline reads: “WAR! FORT SUMTER FIRED UPON.” He notices some lint on his coat and begins brushing it off. A Clash Of Iron 12.

The train grinds to a halt. Three armed officers surround him, followed by Fletcher. FLETCHER Lieutenant John Lorimer Worden? WORDEN Captain Fletcher. What is the meaning of this? FLETCHER You are under arrest. WORDEN For what? FLETCHER Espionage against the Confederacy. You’re a Yankee spy. WORDEN How can I be a Yankee spy? I’m in a Yankee uniform. FLETCHER A very clever disguise. WORDEN I see. I’m a naval officer disguised as a naval officer. FLETCHER That about sums it up. WORDEN I don’t suppose you have a lint brush on you. FLETCHER We’ll find something more comfortable for you to wear, Lieutenant.

EXT. NORFOLK NAVAL YARD - DAY SUPER: Norfolk, Virginia, April 20, 1861 Confederate Secretary of the Navy STEPHEN MALLORY, Lieutenant CATESBY AP ROGER JONES, and JOHN PORTER survey the damage as Confederate troops raise the confederate flag over the docks and smoldering Merrimack. A Clash Of Iron 13.

MALLORY So, that’s the Merrimack. PORTER She sure is burnt, Mr. Mallory, right down to the waterline. JONES That used to be my ship, Mr. Mallory. Yanks didn’t leave us much, did they? MALLORY That’s all we’ll need, Mr. ap Roger Jones. That is all we shall need.

EXT. WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D.C. - DAY On the lawn, ABRAHAM LINCOLN chats with JOHN LAMOUNTAIN who is in the basket of his observation balloon. Off to the side is a GERMAN COUNT in his mid twenties, scrutinizing the balloon and making notes in his notebook.

INT. SECRETARY OF WAR’S OFFICE - DAY Secretary of War SIMON CAMERON is at his desk. EDWIN STANTON, his legal advisor, is gazing out the window. STANTON That man loves gadgets. CAMERON Who does? STANTON Your president. He’s out there on the lawn, chatting with Mr. LaMountain, our aerial balloonist. CAMERON We have a balloonist? STANTON I’m afraid so. Enter Secretary of the Navy GIDEON WELLES. WELLES Mr. Cameron, the Rebels have taken Norfolk. A Clash Of Iron 14.

CAMERON Mr. Welles, you know my legal advisor, Mr. Stanton, I believe. We were just discussing the legality of your Anaconda Blockade under inter-national law. Opinion, like the country, is divided. Now, what about Norfolk? WELLES The enemy has taken Norfolk and, with it, our shipyard at Gosport. CAMERON Did you destroy the dry docks, like I suggested, Mr. Welles? WELLES No, sir. Not entirely. We managed to destroy all but one. CAMERON All but one? WELLES That’s all we had time for. CAMERON Did you, at least, scuttle the ships? WELLES Yes --- sort of. CAMERON What do you mean “sort of”? WELLES The Merrimack. She was burnt to the water line. CAMERON Just to the water line? WELLES Yes, sir. That’s all we had time for. CAMERON I apologize if your duties as Secretary of the Navy are taking you away from your other interests, Mr. Welles. Next time I want something destroyed, I’ll get the president’s little boy to do it. (MORE) A Clash Of Iron 15. CAMERON (CONT'D) Think the Rebels will get any use out of your leavings? WELLES No, Mr. Cameron, we didn’t leave them much. They’ll be busy with cleaning up the mess. STANTON Let’s hope that’s all THEY have time for.

EXT. GOSPORT SHIPYARD, NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, MAY 8, 1861- DAY Mallory is speaking to JEFFERSON DAVIS, who is surveying the damaged naval base and the Union ships blockading the harbor. MALLORY Mr. President, there’s no way for our navy to get around or through the Union blockade because we HAVE no navy. JEFFERSON DAVIS How soon can we get one? MALLORY Not soon enough. The British and the French will trade guns for cotton, but they can’t get to us. JEFFERSON DAVIS It’s your job, Mr. Secretary, to build us a navy. That’s why we got you this shipyard. MALLORY We don’t have the money or resources to build such a navy, so I suggest that we put all of our eggs in one basket. By your leave, Mr. President, I think we should husband our resources and apply our efforts to something more imaginative. JEFFERSON DAVIS What might that be? MALLORY A super weapon. A Clash Of Iron 16.

JEFFERSON DAVIS A what? MALLORY A super weapon. A floating, unsinkable fortress that can destroy anything in the water. JONES Really? Does it fly, too? MALLORY I propose a steam-powered warship that is impervious to ball and shell. A vessel with sufficient arms and armor to, single-handedly, give us dominion over the oceans. President Davis, I want to build an ironclad. One like the world has never seen. JEFFERSON DAVIS Do we have the time and material for such an experiment? MALLORY The Union forces that we chased out of Norfolk were obliging enough to leave us the remains of a steamship. I aim to build the world’s most powerful warship out of the charred remains of the Merrimack. JEFFERSON DAVIS A floating super-weapon. Sounds like fiction to me, Mr. Mallory. MALLORY It is fiction now, Mr. President, but it won’t be for long.

LS: WHAT’S LEFT OF THE MERRIMACK IS TOWED INTO THE DOCK.

INT. MOBILE CITY JAIL CELL - DAY Worden is at a small table, writing a letter. He folds it, addresses it, crosses to the cell door, and knocks. WORDEN Guard. A Clash Of Iron 17.

A GUARD comes to the door. Worden hands him the letter through the small window in the door. GUARD What is it? WORDEN This is a letter for my wife. Would you post it for me? GUARD Might. Worden hands him a coin. WORDEN Here’s something for your trouble. GUARD Union money? That’ll do.

INT. WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D.C. - DAY Olivia Worden bursts through the front door and goes storming down the hallway with a scrap of paper and a letter in her hand, almost blowing past the RECEPTIONIST. RECEPTIONIST May I help you, ma’am? OLIVIA Not unless you’ve got my husband? RECEPTIONIST Your husband? OLIVIA I am here to see the secretary of the navy about my husband. RECEPTIONIST I don’t believe Secretary Welles has your husband, ma’am. OLIVIA No, but he is going to. Which office is his?

INT. GIDEON WELLES’ OFFICE, MAY 7, 1861 - DAY Welles is at his desk, consulting with COMMODORE HIRAM PAULDING. A Clash Of Iron 18.

WELLES Mrs. Worden. What an unexpected pleasure. This is Commodore Paulding. OLIVIA Commodore. PAULDING Ma’am.

Olivia consults the scrap of paper. OLIVIA First, I get this telegram from John, my husband, Commodore: “Arrived here on the thirteenth am detailed well & comfortable hope to see you in a few days”. (She pulls out letter) Then, I received a letter: “I am under arrest here, as a prisoner of war. I cannot tell you how long I shall be detained, but hope and trust it will not be long.” That was three weeks ago. What, exactly, is being done to free my husband, Mr. Welles? WELLES Everything, Mrs. Worden. Commodore Paulding and I were just discussing that. He has a plan. OLIVIA Well, Commodore? PAULDING The plan, Mrs. Worden, is to arrange a prisoner exchange and propose that the rebels swap your husband for someone of equal rank and importance. OLIVIA That shouldn’t be too difficult, commodore. My husband is a mere lieutenant, after all, through no fault of his own, I might add. Just find a Rebel officer that’s been passed over for promotion three or four times. A Clash Of Iron 19.

WELLES If it is any comfort to you, Mrs. Worden, when your husband does get out, he will have rank on his shoulders and a pocket full of money and then you can both go on a spree. OLIVIA You must have me confused with the first lady, Mr. Welles. This isn’t about shopping, it’s about my husband. When will the exchange take place? PAULDING We don’t know, yet, Mrs. Worden. OLIVIA When will we know, Commodore? PAULDING When we have captured someone of sufficient rank and importance. OLIVIA Then, I suggest that you get on it, Commodore. I’ll be back in two weeks to collect my husband. If you don’t have him by then, I’ll go out and capture an officer of sufficient rank and importance myself. Good day, gentlemen. Exit Olivia. Welles and Paulding stare after he, then look at each other. PAULDING I hope she means a Confederate officer.

EXT. BLUFFS OVERLOOKING CHESAPEAKE BAY, JULY 31, 1861- DAY Picnickers pull up in their carriages with their lunches as a band plays Rally ‘Round The Flag. Standing among the picnickers is the German Count with a spyglass.

EXT. FORT MONROE - DAY An observation balloon, shifts lazily in the wind. John Lamountain approaches the basket, accompanied by Gen. BUTLER. A Clash Of Iron 20.

BUTLER I want no aerial stunts; no theatrics; just a sketch of what you see and your observations on paper. LAMOUNTAIN You’re sure you don’t want me to toss a few bombs, while I’m up there, General? BUTLER None of your sass, Mr. Lamountain. Don’t attract attention to yourself. Just do your job. MEDIUM SHOT of Balloon Lamountain, armed with a spyglass and a sketch pad, climbs into a balloon. At his signal, the ground crew plays out the tether, allowing the balloon to ascend. LONG SHOT of Balloon ascending as Lamountain tosses out confetti and streamers. CLOSE UP of Lamountain tipping his hat and putting the spyglass to his eye. LONG SHOT POV Lamountain: Gosport Shipyard comes into focus. CLOSE UP of Lamountain scanning the shipyard, then aiming the spyglass. LONG SHOT POV Lamountain: The DECK OF THE MERRIMACK is being scraped down and fitted with metal plates. Lt. Catesby ap Roger Jones, now wearing a confederate uniform, is supervising the restoration. CLOSE UP of Lamountain: He sketches in his notebook.

EXT. BLUFFS OVERLOOKING CHESAPEAKE BAY - DAY The German Count tucks his spyglass under his arm and sketches Lamountain’s balloon.

EXT. GOSPORT NAVAL YARD - DAY MARIE LOUVESTRE, a black slave, is haggling with FISHERMAN CRAWFORD nearby. She hears the banging and looks over at the Merrimack with misgiving. A Clash Of Iron 21.

EXT. THE WAR DEPARTMENT, AUGUST 1, 1861 - DAY

INT. THE OFFICE OF SECRETARY OF WAR, AUGUST 3, 1861 - DAY Secretary of War Cameron is sitting at his desk, reading a report. Stanton stands at the window. WELLES It’s not fiction, Mr. Cameron, it’s true. They’re building an ironclad, according to our balloonist, John Lamountain. STANTON All these balloons are just easy targets for the Rebels to shoot at. Wars are fought on the ground, not in the air. WELLES Mr. Stanton, the Rebels are fitting out the Merrimack with four-inch armor. CAMERON The Merrimack? I thought we burned the Merrimack to keep it out of Rebel hands. WELLES She only burnt down to the water line. The enemy salvaged her. STANTON Well, what of it? Let them tinker. Ironclads have never been proven in battle. WELLES Neither has the Confederate army, but that hasn’t slowed it down, has it? The door bursts open, revealing Olivia followed by the Receptionist. OLIVIA Here you are. Where’s my husband? WELLES Mrs. Worden. How did you find me? A Clash Of Iron 22.

RECEPTIONIST I’m afraid that I told her, sir. WELLES Secretary Cameron, Assistant Secretary Fox, Mr. Stanton, this is Mrs. Olivia Worden. Her husband is Lt. John Worden, who is a prisoner of war. STANTON Whose prisoner: theirs or ours? OLIVIA My husband, Mr. Stanton, has been rotting in a jail in Alabama for the last three and a half months. I want to know what you gentlemen are doing to get him out. WELLES I will be happy to brief you, Mrs. Worden, if you will wait for me in my office. OLIVIA I suppose if my husband can wait in an Alabama jail, I can wait in your office, Mr. Welles. Olivia leaves the Receptionist to face Welles. WELLES And you can wait for me in your office, Lieutenant. RECEPTIONIST Yes, sir. Receptionist closes the door. STANTON Does that happen very often? WELLES Once a week, Mr. Stanton, like clockwork. STANTON I think we’re finished, here. Don’t let us keep you, Mr. Welles. You shouldn’t keep Mrs. Worden waiting. A Clash Of Iron 23.

WELLES We are certainly not finished. We have no ironclads, Mr. Stanton. When the rebels finish putting armor on the Merrimack, they’ll have a warship that can cut through the entire Union fleet like a knife through butter. STANTON Poppycock. CAMERON Surely you exaggerate, Mr. Welles. WELLES I do not, sir. They are tearing up railroad track to make the armor. The Merrimack will be jacketed in so much steel that cannon balls will bounce off of her. In less than four months, the thing will be seaworthy and, once it’s launched, Mr. Secretary, our navy has had it. CAMERON You mean YOUR navy has had it, Mr. Secretary. What do you propose to do about it? WELLES We build our own. CAMERON Our own what? WELLES Our own ironclad. And it will have to be ready in less than four months, so, we have about two weeks to come up with a design. CAMERON Two weeks? That’s impossible. STANTON It will take that long just to get an appropriation from Congress. A Clash Of Iron 24.

WELLES I don’t intend to wait on Congress. Please inform the President that I’ve got the committee members picked out and that all we’ll need is the office space. CAMERON Office space for what? WELLES The Ironclad Board.

INT. THE WAR DEPARTMENT, AUGUST 3, 1861 - DAY CLOSE UP OF SIGN NEXT TO DOOR: “THE IRONCLAD BOARD”.

INT. THE IRONCLAD BOARDROOM - DAY Three uniformed naval officers take their seats around a rectangular table: Commodore Paulding, COMMODORE SMITH, and COMMANDER DAVIS. On the table are pen, ink well, and paper. SMITH Gentlemen, I call this first meeting of the Ironclad Board to order. Smith shoves pen and paper toward Davis. SMITH (CONT’D) Commander Davis, as junior officer, will you keep the record? DAVIS Certainly, sir. SMITH We are convened at ten o’clock on this second day of August, 1861. Present are Commodore Hiram Paulding, Commander Charles Henry Davis, and myself, Commodore Joseph Smith, chairman. Our mission is to come up with an ironclad design that will beat the pants off the Confederate ironclad design; we have two weeks to do it, so, let’s get to it. PAULDING Commander, did Secretary Welles seem a bit nervous when he asked you to serve on this committee? A Clash Of Iron 25.

SMITH Yes, he did, Commodore, but that could be for a number of reasons. PAULDING Seemed quite nervous, to me. SMITH Be that as it may, we have a task to discharge. Who, here, has sailed on an ironclad? (No response.) Very well, then, who has had experience with ironclads? (No response) Has anyone seen an ironclad? (No response.) Now we know why he was nervous. PAULDING Personally, I’ve never had any use for the things. Don’t trust ‘em. DAVIS The British have one. PAULDING They haven’t done much with it. It’s not even a steamship. Pretty stupid idea, if you ask me. DAVIS The French have an ironclad. PAULDING Well, there you have it. SMITH Gentlemen, this is getting us nowhere. There must be some qualifications in this room, or the Secretary of the Navy wouldn’t have picked us, would he? Davis, what was your last command? DAVIS I served on the St. Mary in the Pacific. PAULDING The Pacific, you say. What were you doing out there? A Clash Of Iron 26.

DAVIS I was in charge of the BIG Expedition to Baker Island, just south of Honolulu, Hawaii. PAULDING Honolulu, you say? SMITH Commander, what, exactly, was this BIG Expedition? PAULDING Yes, what was so big about it? DAVIS “BIG” is an acronym: B. I. G. PAULDING And what does “B. I. G.” stand for? DAVIS Baker Island Guano Expedition. PAULDING Guano? Did he say “guano”? DAVIS Yes. That’s what we were there to collect: guano. Bird guano. For the nitrates. I gathered samples. SMITH For the nitrates. So, you have training as a chemist, then. DAVIS No. No, sir, I don’t. SMITH What, exactly, is your area of expertise, Commander, apart from guano? DAVIS Latin. I majored in classical Latin. PAULDING At the Academy? DAVIS Harvard. I went to Harvard. A Clash Of Iron 27.

PAULDING Oh. I suppose that would qualify one to work in guano. SMITH So, we are equipped with a guano- gathering Latin scholar. Blockades are my specialty. My son, Joe, is captain of the Congress right out there in Chesapeake Bay. They won’t get past him. What about you, Paulding? What’s your expertise? PAULDING Don’t have one. SMITH So, none of us knows anything about ironclads. DAVIS So it would seem. PAULDING How do we go about this? Welles expects a new ironclad design by next week. SMITH I’m open to suggestion. DAVIS Someone out there must have an idea for a new design. SMITH All very well, but how do we get it in here? DAVIS Run an ad. PAULDING Advertise? DAVIS That’s right. PAULDING In the newspapers? DAVIS Yes. A Clash Of Iron 28.

PAULDING Won’t that tip off Johnny Reb as to our intentions? DAVIS With all due respect, Commodore, we don’t have any better chance of keeping our ironclad a secret than the Rebels had of keeping theirs a secret. SMITH Very well, then. Let’s run an ad. Agreed? Agreed.

EXT. THE USS FANNY IN CHESAPEAKE BAY, AUGUST 3, 1861 - DAY John Lamountain climbs into the basket of his balloon. He signals an ENSIGN who starts the winch. Slowly, the balloon ascends over the bay. In the distance lies the Gosport Shipyard, flying a confederate flag.

EXT. NORFOLK FISH MARKET - DAY Marie Louvestre is haggling with Fisherman Crawford. MARIE I’m interested in your sole, Mr. Crawford. CRAWFORD I already been baptized, Miss Louvestre. MARIE I don’t mean your eternal soul, Mr. C., I mean your flat fish. I’m makin’ up somethin’ special. CRAWFORD Oh, you mean like flounder. Got one right here. Mighty fine, yes, ma’am. Caught fresh, this mornin’. Gigged it myself. Got it right here. Marie looks up at the observation balloon rising in the distance. MARIE Now, what do you suppose that is, up there, Mr. Crawford? A Clash Of Iron 29.

CRAWFORD I reckon that’s the Yankee spy balloon. It’s tethered to the USS Fanny out there in the bay. Takin’ a look-see, I reckon. That’s John Lamountain in the basket. He says he can see fifteen miles, on a clear day. MARIE Well, la-dee-dah, Mr. Crawford. You are mighty well-informed, I gotta say. Yes, sir, mighty well- informed. CRAWFORD (Getting nervous) Just what I hear tell. You know how people talk. Here’s your fish, Miss Marie. MARIE Thank you, Mr. C. (Handing him a large, Confederate bill) I’m afraid this is the smallest I got. Why, I declare, if you haven’t wrapped my fish in a Harper’s Weekly. Been kinda scarce since Fort Sumter. Why, I haven’t seen a Northern newspaper in a month of Sundays. CRAWFORD Here’s your change, Marie. Marie notices the wad of greenbacks that he pulls out of his pocket. He hands her one in change. She holds it up. MARIE Why, Mr. Crawford, this is a Union greenback. I do believe that you have given me too much change. Crawford snatches the dollar back and swaps it for Confederate money as Marie looks over at the balloon.

EXT. OBSERVATION BALLOON - DAY Lamountain takes out his spyglass and sweeps the docks, then spots the Merrimack receiving its armor. A Clash Of Iron 30.

INT. WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D.C. - DAY

CLOSE UP OF AN ADVERTISEMENT IN THE NEW YORK TIMES: “The War Department urges any inventor to submit his novel concept for the construction of a new, IRONCLAD WARSHIP. Designs are to be submitted to the IRONCLAD BOARD at the WAR DEPARTMENT. GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS are available for the three best designs.”

CAMERA BACKS OUT TO REVEAL: The newspaper is in the hand of CORNELIUS BUSHNELL, standing at the head of a long waiting room outside the Ironclad Boardroom. The room is lined with inventors of every stripe, some with models, others with plans. Bushnell has his own plans. The Boardroom door opens. Out comes a dejected INVENTOR with his hat in his hand. Commander Davis’s head pops through the door. DAVIS Next. One of the hopefuls gets up and walks through the door. Bushnell takes his seat and looks at his plans. DISSOLVE TO:

INT. THE EMPTY WAITING ROOM - A FEW HOURS LATER The door opens. Davis sticks out his head. DAVIS Mr. Bushnell. We’re ready to see you. Bushnell rises and follows Davis into the Boardroom.

INT. THE IRONCLAD BOARDROOM - LATE AFTERNOON The rectangular table is cluttered with plans and ship models of the most preposterous design. Davis takes his place behind the table where Paulding and Smith are sitting. SMITH Mr. Bushnell, we have reviewed your submission and we were quite impressed with the design. (MORE) A Clash Of Iron 31. SMITH (CONT'D) The lines are elegant, the guns are well-placed, and the superstructure seems solid enough. We have just one question: Will she stay afloat? BUSHNELL Will she float? Of course, she’ll stay afloat. PAULDING But, is your design stable? BUSHNELL Stable? DAVIS Yes. In a high sea or under heavy bombardment, will she keel over? BUSHNELL Will she keel over? SMITH Yes, man. Will the thing roll over and sink? BUSHNELL Well, no, that’s what the keel is for. SMITH But, this ship is for coastal defence. You can’t use a deep keel in shallow water, so, we want to make sure that your keel will keep the thing upright. BUSHNELL Yes. Yes, gentlemen, it will. PAULDING But, when she maneuvers, will she be stable? BUSHNELL It should be. She should be. Yes. DAVIS Are you sure? We don’t want another Vasa on our hands. BUSHNELL Yes, sir. I’m positive. A Clash Of Iron 32.

EXT. ERICSSON’S HOUSE 77 FRANKLIN ST., N. Y., SEPT. 9 - DAY Bushnell approaches Ericsson’s door, still holding the newspaper ad. He notices a lever next to the door and, below it, a slot Above the lever is a sign: “Place calling card in slot and lift lever.” Bushnell pulls a card out of his card case, places it in the slot, and lifts the lever. The card is sucked into the slot and the lever snaps back into place. Above the door, a brass cover slides open to reveal a lens. The cover snaps shut. There is a whirring noise, followed by a series of clicks and the sound of a bolt sliding back. The door slowly swings open. Bushnell enters the house.

INT. ERICSSON’S HOUSE IN NEW YORK - DAY Bushnell steps into a hallway full of dials, levers, and gadgetry. On the walls are drawings of inventions. The door slowly closes behind him and an arm swings out in front of him. Bushnell places his hat on the arm and it retracts. Another arm swings up and points the way to Ericsson’s study. When Bushnell steps up to the study door, it swings open. Bushnell enters the study.

INT. ERICSSON’S STUDY - DAY JOHN ERICSSON is sitting behind his desk, holding a cracker in one hand and Bushnell’s card in the other. Next to the desk is a plate of crackers and cheese sitting on a column. ERICSSON Would you care for some havarti and knäckebrød, Mr. Bushnell? BUSHNELL Nothing for me, Mr. Ericsson. Ericsson presses a lever in the desk. The tray of cheese and crackers descends into the floor. ERICSSON I see you have come about the ad, Mr. Bushnell. BUSHNELL The ad? Yes, the ad. ERICSSON This a sample of your work? BUSHNELL Yes, as a matter of fact . . . A Clash Of Iron 33.

ERICSSON (Grabbing the scroll of papers from Bushnell.) Let’s see it, then. Ericsson takes the scroll and pulls a lever on the wall. BUSHNELL Perhaps you don’t remember me, Mr. Ericsson. We met about six years ago at the sea trial of your screw propelled ship, The Princeton. It was impressive. ERICSSON You are easily impressed, Mr. Bushnell. The Princeton blew up. Or were you trying to be funny? BUSHNELL No, I wasn’t, Mr. Ericsson . . . ERICSSON Captain Ericsson. BUSHNELL Captain Ericsson . . . At the other end of the room, an eight-foot square section of the floor descends as another section of floor bearing a drafting table slowly drops into its place. Ericsson, followed by Bushnell, crosses to the drafting table and unrolls the scroll. ERICSSON The Princeton might never have blown up, if I had had a decent draftsman . . . and if they hadn’t overcharged the guns. (Looking over Bushnell’s drawing.) Interesting design, Mr. Bushnell. Lines are clean; markings clear. You’ll do nicely, Mr. Bushnell. The pay is one dollar a day. BUSHNELL The pay? For what? ERICSSON Draftsman. Aren’t you here in answer to my ad? A Clash Of Iron 34.

BUSHNELL No, I’ve come about a different ad. (Showing Ericsson the newspaper ad) Have you seen this, Capt. Ericsson? ERICSSON Yes, I have seen it. BUSHNELL Did you submit a design? ERICSSON No, I did not. BUSHNELL Why not, if I may ask? ERICSSON Navy Department owes me money. They never paid for the Princeton. It wasn’t my fault she blew up. Did you submit this design? BUSHNELL Yes, and I’d like your opinion. ERICSSON Why? BUSHNELL I need to know if she’ll be stable. Ericsson examines the drawing. ERICSSON What is the weight ratio of superstructure to the hull below the water line? BUSHNELL Seven to ten. ERICSSON That’s a lot of heavy armor, but she will float. BUSHNELL But, is she stable? ERICSSON Is any woman? A Clash Of Iron 35.

BUSHNELL Not all women are this top-heavy, Captain Ericsson. Will she roll? ERICSSON She will carry the load you propose easily enough and even withstand a shot or two, at a respectable distance. BUSHNELL But, in a close fight --- muzzle to muzzle --- will she be stable? ERICSSON She won’t roll over, but that doesn’t mean she won’t sink. Her armor needs more reinforcement. That could make her top heavy. How much time do you have to build her? BUSHNELL About three months. ERICSSON You will never make it. You need something simpler. Something with less profile. BUSHNELL Like what? Ericsson pulls another lever and a wooden box is thrust out from the wall. He blows the dust off the box, sets it on his desk, then opens the box, takes out a letter and hands it to Bushnell. Bushnell attempts to read it. ERICSSON Something like that. BUSHNELL This is in French. What does it say? ERICSSON It is a letter from Napoleon III. Loosely translated, it says: “Thank you, but, no thank you.” BUSHNELL No thank you to what? ERICSSON To this. A Clash Of Iron 36.

Ericsson opens the box and pulls out a model of his Monitor. Bushnell slowly crouches down to view the Monitor at her water line. After a long silence, he speaks. BUSHNELL She has almost no profile at all! The only superstructures are the pilot house and a dome. ERICSSON That is a Morell turret with just two guns. BUSHNELL It rotates? The guns rotate? ERICSSON The gun turret can fire in any direction. Everything but the turret, the pilot house, and the deck is below the water line, so there is nothing to hit. BUSHNELL That’s brilliant. This ship is a work of genius, Captain Ericsson. Let me show your model to the Ironclad Board. Ericsson boxes up the model and hands it to Bushnell. ERICSSON Take it. BUSHNELL I’d feel better if you came with me. The Board will want to talk to you. ERICSSON I suppose I shall have to explain the important points. BUSHNELL What are the important points? ERICSSON The important points are that she can be built in ninety days, she won’t blow up, and, this time, I want the money up front. A Clash Of Iron 37.

EXT. GOSPORT SHIPYARD - DAY The deck of the Merrimack is almost covered with iron plates. JONES It’s coming along, Mallory. We’ve got a four-month head start on the Union Navy. We’ve got our ironclad and theirs is still on the drawing board. When we’ve finished putting armor on every riverboat between New Orleans and Vicksburg, we’ll have twenty ironclads to their one. We’ve got the jump on them THIS time. MALLORY Yes, but they’ve got John Ericsson.

INT. PASSENGER COMPARTMENT ON TRAIN TO BALTIMORE - EVENING Ericsson is sitting to the right of the window. Bushnell is sitting across from him, holding the wooden box in his lap.

EXT. WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D.C., SEPT. 12, 1861 - DAY

INT. IRONCLAD BOARDROOM VESTIBULE - DAY Bushnell and Ericsson sit across from each other, just as they did on the train, Bushnell being closest to the door. The door opens; out pops Commander Davis. DAVIS Good news, Mr. Bushnell. Your submission has been accepted as one of the three ironclad designs. Congratulations. BUSHNELL Thank you, Commander Davis. This is my colleague, John Ericsson. I was hoping that the Board might spare a few minutes to review his ironclad. DAVIS I’m afraid the submissions are closed. The Board has made its decision. Ericsson looks at Bushnell and stomps off down the hall. A Clash Of Iron 38.

DAVIS (CONT’D) I’m sorry to blow up your prospects, Mr. Ericsson. Ericsson halts, turns slowly, and marches back to Davis. ERICSSON It’s Captain Ericsson, Commander. Ericsson shoves past Davis and enters the Boardroom.

INT. IRONCLAD BOARDROOM - DAY Ericsson marches up to the table where Smith, Paulding, and, eventually, Davis are sitting behind the three approved ironclad models. ERICSSON My name is John Ericsson . . . DAVIS CAPTAIN John Ericsson. ERICSSON That is right. You may have heard of me. SMITH We HAVE heard of you, Captain Ericsson. You are Swedish, aren’t you? ERICSSON That’s right. You betcha. SMITH We wouldn’t want another Vasa. DAVIS She was top-heavy, you know. Keeled right over. ERICSSON I did not design the Vasa. SMITH She was designed by a Swede, wasn’t she? ERICSSON Yes, but she was put together by a committee. A Clash Of Iron 39.

PAULDING You did design the Princeton, I believe. DAVIS She blew up, as I recall. PAULDING Killed someone important. DAVIS Well, a congressman. PAULDING And she cost quite a lot of money. ERICSSON For all of its shortcomings, gentlemen, The Princeton made paddle wheels obsolete. And the Confederate ironclad is a floating fortress what will make your wooden fleet obsolete. SMITH We have already addressed that problem, Captain Ericsson. We shall have our own fleet of ironclads. ERICSSON (Looking down at the models.) These? The Merrimack will sweep them out of the sea. With the back of his arm, Ericsson sweeps the models aside, then, spreads his plans out on the table. ERICSSON (CONT’D) This design is the only answer to The Merrimack. SMITH What is it? ERICSSON It is an ironclad steamship. DAVIS You call this a ship? It doesn’t even look like a ship. All this will do is CONFUSE the enemy. A Clash Of Iron 40.

PAULDING It looks like someone’s hat. You can’t put to sea in a hat. DAVIS You could pray to it without sin. That shape is to be found nowhere in Nature. SMITH Where’s the smoke stack? PAULDING Where are the gunnels? SMITH Where are the guns? ERICSSON They are all there. You just don’t see them. PAULDING Who are the crew: leprechauns? SMITH Gentlemen, we have, here, the ultimate weapon: an invisible ship. Ericsson crosses to the door and drags in Bushnell holding the Monitor model. ERICSSON This is my ironclad. DAVIS Mr. Bushnell? Ericsson grabs the model and sets it in front Paulding. ERICSSON There is my answer to The Merrimack, gentlemen: The Ericsson Battery. PAULDING That? It looks like a cracker. You can’t ask a crew to go to sea in a appetizer and sail into battle on an hors d’oeuvre. What is that on top, a cheese wheel? A Clash Of Iron 41.

ERICSSON That is a turret. (He swivels the turret.) A gun turret, gentlemen. All three officers stand, their jaws agape. BUSHNELL Gentlemen, you have already approved my ironclad, but, I can assure you that Captain Ericsson’s design is far superior to mine. PAULDING It’s a radical design. SMITH There’s no superstructure to speak of. DAVIS Turn the gun turret again! PAULDING She’s better than that metal box the Rebs are building. SMITH I like the low profile. What is your opinion, sir? Abraham Lincoln stands silhouetted in the doorway. Lincoln enters the room and walks up to the model. LINCOLN Will she float? ERICSSON Like a duck, Mr. President. Like a duck. LINCOLN As the girl putting on her stocking said, “It strikes me there’s something in this.” Let the Confederates have their cracker box; we’ll go with the cracker.

INT. MOBILE CITY JAIL CELL - DAY Worden is at a small table, writing a letter. He folds it, addresses it, crosses to the cell door, and knocks. A Clash Of Iron 42.

WORDEN Guard. A GUARD comes to the door. Worden hands him the letter through the small window in the door. GUARD Another one? WORDEN If you wouldn’t mind. GUARD I thought your last letter was a little mushy. You might want to tone down the rhetoric. WORDEN This one is even mushier. GUARD General Bragg blushed when he read your last composition. Kind of fun, watching the general go all red. WORDEN This one should turn him scarlet. Here’s a couple of coins for your trouble. GUARD I can hardly wait to see the general’s face.

EXT. CONTINENTAL IRONWORKS, GREENPOINT, BROOKLYN, OCT. 25- DAY Bushnell, Ericsson, Welles, Fox, and Commodore Smith watch as the keel is laid. WELLES You didn’t waste any time, Captain Ericsson. This should put us ahead of schedule. ERICSSON If the payments are on schedule. WELLES Captain Ericsson, this is Assistant Secretary Fox. He will be my liaison. The War Department will be watching with great interest. A Clash Of Iron 43.

ERICSSON What does that mean? WELLES It means that Mr. Fox will be monitoring your progress. ERICSSON Monitoring! What am I: a schoolboy sitting an exam? I do not need supervision. SMITH Lives may depend upon your untried design, Mr. Ericsson, not to mention the reputation of the War Department. ERICSSON When it is tried in the fire, it shall come forth as gold. And it’s “Captain Ericsson”, Commodore Smith. SMITH Have it your way, Captain Ericsson. Just don’t become a headline.

INT. STANTON’S OFFICE, NOVEMBER 2, 1861- DAY Welles and Fox are showing a Harper’s Weekly with a picture of “the Merrimac” to Stanton. WELLES Look at that, Mr. Stanton. “The Rebel ironclad”. Bomb-proof housing; four eleven-inch guns. STANTON Sensationalism, Mr. Welles. Journalistic sensationalism. FOX It says their ironclad will be ready in two weeks. STANTON Do you believe everything you read in Harper’s Weekly, Mr. Fox? WELLES The New York Herald interviewed a mechanic who worked on the Merrimack. A Clash Of Iron 44.

STANTON The Herald: another rag. FOX The Herald also interviewed Captain van Brunt aboard the Minnesota and Commodore Goldsborough ashore. It seems that the Minnesota was attacked by a submarine. STANTON A submarine? The Rebels have a submarine? (Fox hands Stanton a newspaper. Stanton glances at it.) Fine. Now everyone will want one. (Fox hands Stanton a piece of paper.) What’s this? FOX It’s Commodore Goldsborough’s requisition. STANTON Requisition for what? FOX A submarine. STANTON What did I tell you? WELLES Captain van Brunt agrees with Commodore Goldsborough. We need a modern navy. STANTON You’ll have to make do with the navy you’ve got, Mr. Welles. Let the Rebels waste their time tinkering. You can tell Commodore Goldsborough that we’re not about to start building submarines.

EXT. CONTINENTAL IRONWORKS, NOVEMBER 16, 1861 - DAY THOMAS ROWLAND, ALBAN STIMERS, Bushnell, and Ericsson watch the work crew riveting the deck beams and mounting the rudder of the Monitor. A Clash Of Iron 45.

ROWLAND Captain Ericsson, this is Alban Stimers. He’ll be your chief engineer. ERICSSON Mr. Stimers. I’ve been ordered to get her in the water in one hundred days. Will she be ready? STIMERS One hundred and seventy-five men are working on this project, sir. She’ll be ready. My question is: where will you find a crew? ERICSSON What do you suggest, Bushnell? BUSHNELL Take out an ad?

INT. MOBILE CITY JAIL, NOVEMBER 18, 1861 - DAY Worden is brushing his coat. The cell door opens. GUARD Lieutenant Worden. Get your stuff. WORDEN Where am I going? GUARD Norfolk, Virginia. You can deliver your next letter to your wife in person. You’re gonna be swapped. WORDEN Swapped. You mean a prisoner exchange? GUARD Somethin’ like that. Worden hands the Guard his coat and a coin. WORDEN Could you please have that pressed? A Clash Of Iron 46.

INT. GIDEON WELLES’ OFFICE - DAY Welles is at his desk, reading a telegram. Paulding is next to him. Olivia bursts through the door. OLIVIA Mr. Welles, Commander Paulding, I’ll thank you to stop your lollygagging and get my husband out of that Alabama jail. WELLES Say no more, Mrs. Worden. OLIVIA I will not be put off, Mr. Welles. WELLES We are painfully aware of that, Mrs. Worden, but he’s out. OLIVIA Who’s out? WELLES Your husband. He was taken from his cell yesterday morning and is heading, by train, to Norfolk, Virginia, where he is to be exchanged for a . . . PAULDING Sharpe. Lieutenant Sharpe. OLIVIA Don’t tell me you finally captured someone. WELLES (Hands Olivia the telegram.) Yes, Mrs. Worden. We finally found someone of equal rank and importance to trade for your husband. OLIVIA And about time, too. When is this exchange to take place? WELLES Tomorrow. OLIVIA I’ll be back tomorrow to collect him. A Clash Of Iron 47.

WELLES Couldn’t we just send him home? OLIVIA I’ll be back tomorrow.

EXT. GOSPORT NAVAL YARD, NOVEMBER 20, 1861 - DAY The Merrimack receives its iron prow. PAN UP to CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS and UNION SOLDIERS marching toward each other under a flag of truce. The Union soldiers are escorting LT. SHARPE. Confederate soldiers have Worden in tow. The Confederate prisoner is Worden. While his hands are being unbound, Worden looks over at the construction on the Merrimack. He is astonished and troubled. He looks at Marie, then back at the ship. A CONFEDERATE CORPORAL yanks him back into place. CONFEDERATE CORPORAL Come on, Worden. You ain’t here to take no photographs. Worden gives Marie a backward glance. Marie looks over at the Merrimack, then back at the departing Worden as he is marched off to the prisoner exchange. CONFEDERATE MAJOR and UNION MAJOR approach each other and salute. UNION MAJOR I have orders to exchange prisoners. CONFEDERATE MAJOR As do I, Major. One for one. UNION MAJOR Then, let the exchange commence. CONFEDERATE MAJOR I’m all for that. We’re here for Lt. Sharpe. UNION MAJOR And I’m here for Lt. Worden. Sergeant, bring forward the prisoner. CONFEDERATE MAJOR Corporal, bring him up. A Clash Of Iron 48.

The Confederate Corporal shoves Worden forward. Worden is exchanged for the Lt. Sharpe. The Confederate soldiers march off. Worden turns to the Union Major. WORDEN Get me to Washington.

EXT. WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D.C. - DAY Olivia is waiting in the carriage. Worden rides up on horseback, dismounts, and runs over to Olivia who jumps out of the carriage. They kiss. OLIVIA Lieutenant Worden, you have been absent without leave. It’s time for you to report for duty. Get in. WORDEN Not just yet. There’s something I have to do, first. OLIVIA John, I have come to take you home. WORDEN I have to talk to someone in the War Department. OLIVIA The last time you went into the War Department, I didn’t see you again for seven months. WORDEN I’ll be right back, dear. (He kisses her.) Be patient. Worden runs off, leaving Olivia dumbfounded.

INT. WELLE’S OFFICE, NOVEMBER 21, 1861 - DAY Welles is at his desk. There is a knock. RECEPTIONIST There’s a naval officer here to see you, Mr. Welles. It’s a Lieutenant Worden. WELLES The prisoner exchange? Have him report to Assistant Secretary Fox. A Clash Of Iron 49.

RECEPTIONIST He has some intelligence to report, sir, about the Merrimack. WELLES I’ll see him. Receptionist shows Worden in. WORDEN Secretary Welles, I just came from Norfolk, sir. I saw the Confederate ironclad. It’s a metal box with slanted walls set with ports for eight to ten heavy canon. WELLES That is helpful, indeed, Lt. Worden. How far along are they? WORDEN I’d say she’ll put to sea in three or four months. WELLES Thank you, Lieutenant. Put your report in writing, if you would. WORDEN Of course, sir. One more thing, Mr. Secretary: I understand that you are building an ironclad of your own. WELLES Several, in fact. WORDEN I’m interested in only the one: the Ericsson Battery. WELLES What is your interest in the Ericsson Battery? WORDEN I’d like to captain her, sir. WELLES That would be quite a promotion for you, Lieutenant. Do you feel qualified? A Clash Of Iron 50.

WORDEN I’ve seen what we’re up against. I’d like to help Mr. Ericsson get our ironclad ready to meet her challenge. WELLES Very well, Lieutenant. Assistant Secretary Fox is going up to see Ericsson this afternoon. You can travel with him. Just remember, it’s “Captain Ericsson”. WORDEN Thank you, Mr. Secretary. WELLES Before you go, is there anything else that you can tell me about what you saw at Norfolk? Were you able to note the ironclad’s draft or dimensions or the thickness of her armor? WORDEN I’m afraid I didn’t have time to study the matter, sir. WELLES Pity. I wish there were some way we could get ahold of her plans.

EXT. GOSPORT NAVAL YARD - SAME DAY Marie saunters up to ap Roger Jones with a basket. MARIE You the foreman? JONES One of them. Why? MARIE Brought y’all somethin’ Marie opens the basket and hands it to ap Roger Jones. JONES What’s this? A Clash Of Iron 51.

MARIE Lunch for y’all. Pan-fried fish, collards, and hushpuppies, compliments of Mrs. Louvestre. JONES My compliments to Mrs. Louvestre. Crew, break for lunch. MARIE I’ll wait ‘til y’all done with my basket. Jones takes the basket on board to the crew while Marie looks down at the construction plans on the table and takes a pencil out of her hair.

EXT. WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D.C. - SAME DAY Olivia is still waiting in the carriage. She gets out and goes into the War Department building.

INT. WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D.C. - DAY Olivia walks up to the RECEPTIONIST. RECEPTIONIST Mrs. Worden. Whose office do you wish to invade today? OLIVIA None of your impertinence, Lieutenant. I am here to collect my husband. RECEPTIONIST Again? I thought you had him. OLIVIA Yes, Lieutenant, but, he broke free and came in here. I intend that this shall be the last time I have to visit this place. RECEPTIONIST Secretary Welles will be so disappointed. Shall I announce you, or would you like to surprise him? Worden appears in the corridor and sees Olivia. A Clash Of Iron 52.

WORDEN Olivia? OLIVIA John Worden, you have kept me waiting long enough. What do you think this is: our wedding night? WORDEN I had to see Secretary Welles. OLIVIA Never mind him. I have come to take you home. WORDEN I have to see Vincent the tailor. OLIVIA The tailor! Whatever for? WORDEN To get these sewn on. Worden shows her two captain’s bars. OLIVIA What are these? WORDEN That’s my promotion. You are looking at Captain John Worden, United States Navy. OLIVIA Oh, John, I’m so proud of you. Let’s get you home so I can show you just how proud. WORDEN I have thought of nothing else these seven months, Olivia. I can’t tell you how many times I woke up in that jail cell and reaching over to put my arm around you. OLIVIA Tonight will be the best night of my life --- and, possibly, yours, too, Captain Worden. A Clash Of Iron 53.

WORDEN Looking forward to it, Mrs. Worden. I know how hard it must have been on you, just sitting at home, waiting for news. I want to make it up to you, Olivia. And, after that, you can put me on the train to Brooklyn. OLIVIA Brooklyn. What’s in Brooklyn?

EXT. CONTINENTAL IRONWORKS, NOVEMBER 26, 1861 - DAY Ericsson and Bushnell are watching the turret being hoisted onto its pivot. Enter Fox and Worden. ERICSSON Mr. Fox. Are you here to monitor my progress? I had the turret fabricated at another foundry. It arrived this morning and we are setting it into place. How’s that for progress? FOX I’m here to give you this, Captain Ericsson, your contract, (hands contract to Ericsson who hands it to Bushnell) and to introduce you to the man who will captain your ironclad. Captain Ericsson, Lieutenant Worden. WORDEN It’s Captain Worden. ERICSSON Pleased to meet you, Captain. I trust that you were told what a hazardous duty this is going to be. WORDEN I volunteered, Mr. Ericsson. ERICSSON You volunteered? Why? FOX Because nobody else would. A Clash Of Iron 54.

ERICSSON Just what do you mean by that remark, Mr. Fox? FOX No one has ever built an ironclad from scratch. None of the mechanisms are familiar. It isn’t really a ship, in the conventional sense. No experienced captain would sign on. BUSHNELL (Reading Ericsson’s contract.) In other words, they’re all afraid she’ll blow up. So is the War Department, apparently. This contract requires you to pay damages if your ironclad fails. ERICSSON Damages! I am to assume the risk? They want me to assume the risk of failure? This is typical of the War Department. Are they willing to assume the risk of losing their navy if I do not finish my ironclad on time? I will not sign. Let the Merrimack blow the entire Union fleet out of the water. FOX Mr. Ericsson, you can’t mean that. ERICSSON Every last word. Putting an assumption-of-risk clause in our contract at this stage is both high- handed and under-handed. I will not sign such an agreement, nor do business with scoundrels. WORDEN I hope you’ll reconsider, Mr. Ericsson. ERICSSON Why? Aren’t you afraid she’ll blow up? WORDEN No, sir. A Clash Of Iron 55.

ERICSSON Why not? WORDEN Because you’re John Ericsson. Ericsson looks at Bushnell, then, grabs the contract, yanks a pen out of Fox’s hand, and signs the contract. ERICSSON It’s “Captain John Ericsson”.

EXT. GOSPORT NAVAL YARD - DAY MARIE is casually tracing the plans while the crew sleeps off their heavy lunch.

EXT. CONTINENTAL IRONWORKS, GREENPOINT, BROOKLYN - DAY Ericsson and Worden are going over the Monitor’s schematics. Enter SHIPFITTER and crew in a wagon. They begin unloading all manner of apparatus. SHIPFITTER Here are your gadgets, Professor Ericsson, courtesy of Sutter Shipfitters and Shippers and made to order. I must say, I’ve never seen the like of these things. Sign here, Prof. ERICSSON (Taking pen out of his coat) It’s Captain Ericsson and these are not gadgets. These are fifty patentable inventions that will revolutionize shipbuilding, from engines to steering to ventilation blowers to underwater waste disposal. And that does not include this (holding up his pen). SHIPFITTER What’s that, Professor? ERICSSON It’s a pen that has its own ink supply. I invented that myself. SHIPFITTER No kidding. So, you want us to start fitting your ship? A Clash Of Iron 56.

ERICSSON If you would be so kind. Shipfitter grabs a wrench and heads off to instal gadgets. WORDEN I must confess, Captain Ericsson, I don’t recognize most of this equipment. What is that, for instance? ERICSSON That is the Ericsson Breachloader. WORDEN Our guns are muzzle loaded. ERICSSON It’s not a gun. It’s a toilet. WORDEN A toilet? ERICSSON A high-pressure, under-water, waste- disposal unit. Except for the gun turret and the pilot house, everything on the ship is below the water line, including the crew’s quarters. Since the crew will be living below deck, everything that they do will be --- below deck. Everything. WORDEN Below the water line. ERICSSON Below the water line. That means that all of the plumbing will be below the water line and must, therefore, be pressurized in order to flush under water. You can see the immense problem in hydrostatics and flow mechanics that this presents. WORDEN Yes, I can see that. So, where do you sit? A Clash Of Iron 57.

ERICSSON This end. In order to operate the Ericsson Pressurized Breach-loading Underwater Toilet, you raise the lid, so (He demonstrates), deposit your waste matter, whether solid or liquid, and, once you are finished -- and this is very important -- close the lid and secure it firmly before flushing. Once the lid is secure, pull the lever on the backflush valve to pressurize the unit. When it has been sufficiently pressurized, a hatch opens below the hull of the ship and expels the waste matter into the sea at about two and one-half atmospheres. WORDEN And what if the lid is not secured? ERICSSON The user will be propelled upward with equal force. Shipfitter returns and picks up the toilet. SHIPFITTER You know, Professor, I’ve been fitting ships for Sutter Shipfitters for thirty years and I’ve never fitted a ship with ship fittings like the ship fittings for fitting this ship. I don’t know what kind of fitting this is, but, as we say at Sutter Shipfitters and Shippers, “If it fits, we’ll ship it; if it ships, we’ll fit it.” ERICSSON The sooner you instal that plumbing, the sooner she’ll be ready to launch. SHIPFITTER We’ll have your ship fitted all ship-shape and Bristol fashion in no time. ERICSSON Your men will have to work quickly. We have no time to lose. The Ericsson Battery must be ready in less than ninety days. A Clash Of Iron 58.

SHIPFITTER Don’t worry, Professor, we never sit down on the job. Exit Shipfitter with toilet. Worden follows him to the ship.

EXT. NORFOLK - DAY Marie Louvestre is haggling with Fisherman Crawford. CRAWFORD Marie, what can I do for you, today? Cod? Some haddock? I caught a nice flounder, this morning. MARIE I’m lookin’ for somethin’ special, this time, Mr. Crawford. Somethin’ I’d pay a little extra for. I hear tell the fishin’s better across the bay. You ever sell your fish across the bay? CRAWFORD Whatever give you that idea? MARIE I notice you got Union dollars with you, sometimes. CRAWFORD Lots of folks around here got Union dollars. MARIE New Union dollars, Mr. Crawford? CRAWFORD You won’t say nothin’, will you, Marie? MARIE That y’all have been sellin’ your fish to the Yankees, Mr. Crawford? Your secret is safe with me. But, next time you go out, I’d like to go with you.

EXT. CONTINENTAL IRONWORKS, GREENPOINT, BROOKLYN - DAY Ericsson is standing on the deck. Enter Fox. A Clash Of Iron 59.

ERICSSON Mr. Fox. To what do I owe this visit? Have you brought me money? FOX No, sir, I have not. The Ironclad Board is concerned about the size of the charge. ERICSSON Three fifteen thousand dollar payments. That is what we agreed upon. Your last payment was late. We had to lay workers off and could not work at night or on the weekends. FOX Those aren’t the charges that I am referring to, Mr. Ericsson. We are concerned about the size of the charge to be used in the Dahlgren guns. ERICSSON When you throw an iron ball against an iron wall, you’ve got to use sufficient charge or it will bounce off -- like an iron ball. FOX We don’t know how heavy the Merrimack’s armor will be. The War Department thinks that a fifteen pound charge should be sufficient. WORDEN Fifteen pounds? I could throw it harder than that. FOX With all due respect to your pitching arm, Captain Worden, you will be using fifteen pound charges. The War Department doesn’t want to take unnecessary risks by overloading the guns. ERICSSON You mean they are afraid the guns will blow up, like on the Princeton. A Clash Of Iron 60.

FOX Yes. WORDEN You want me to do battle with a Goliath and all you give me is a pebble. FOX David found a hole in Goliath’s armor. Perhaps you will, too.

EXT. CHESAPEAKE BAY, DECEMBER 19, 1861 - DAWN Crawford is getting his fishing boat ready to go out to get his morning’s catch. He looks around, uneasily, then goes back to preparing his nets. Marie, wearing a dark shawl, steals up to the boat and gets in. She hands Crawford a coin. He launches the boat and quietly rows out into the bay.

EXT. WAR DEPARTMENT, DECEMBER 24, 1861 - AFTERNOON Marie saunters up the steps to the War Department and enters.

INT. WAR DEPARTMENT, RECEPTIONIST DESK - AFTERNOON Marie walks up to the RECEPTIONIST who is sprucing up a Christmas tree. MARIE Excuse me, is this the War Department? RECEPTIONIST Yes, it is. How can I help you? MARIE Are you in charge of the navy? RECEPTIONIST No, that would be Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles. MARIE That’s the man I want to see. RECEPTIONIST Mr. Welles is a very busy man. Perhaps you could talk to Assistant Secretary Fox, or you could tell me what this is about. A Clash Of Iron 61.

MARIE I come all the way from Norfolk. I have got information. Secret information. RECEPTIONIST From Norfolk, you say. Then you are... MARIE An escaped slave. That’s right. RECEPTIONIST The Emancipation Society is down the street. Perhaps they can help you. MARIE I ain’t here to get emancipated, Mr. Uniform. I am here to save your Yankee bacon, so you can tell Mister Secretary Fox that Marie Louvestre just walked here from Norfolk, Virginia and that they’s buildin’ the biggest, ugliest, meanest lookin’ iron boat down there you ever seed. Receptionist abruptly goes into Fox’s office. A few seconds later, he emerges with Fox. FOX I am Assistant Secretary Fox. Please come in, Miss . . . MARIE Louvestre. Marie Louvestre. Exit Marie and Fox into his office.

INT. FOX’S OFFICE - AFTERNOON FOX crosses to his desk and, offering Marie a seat, sits. FOX Please have a seat, Miss Louvestre. So, you claim to have seen the Merrimack, I understand. Whatever your information is, it’s Christmas Eve and we’d all like to go home. While I appreciate your coming all the way from Norfolk to share your information, Miss Louvestre, I’m sure it can wait. (MORE) A Clash Of Iron 62. FOX (CONT'D) Quite frankly, there are people working in this building who have seen the Merrimack. MARIE Have they seen the plans?

INT. RECEPTION DESK - AFTERNOON The door to Fox’s office flies open and Fox marches Marie across the hall to Welles’ office. They enter.

INT. WELLE’S OFFICE - AFTERNOON Welles stands as Fox and Marie barge in. FOX Mr. Welles. WELLES Don’t stand on ceremony, Mr. Fox. Come right in. FOX This is Mary Louvestre . . . MARIE Marie Louvestre, as in the Louvestres of New Orleans. FOX I thought you said you were from Norfolk. MARIE I am, but the Louvestre family is from New Orleans. WELLES Pardon me, Mr. Fox, but why do I need to interrupt my day to meet Miss Marie Louvestre of Norfolk? FOX Miss Louvestre isn’t just from Norfolk. She just came here from Norfolk. She has information regarding the Merrimack. MARIE They call it the CSS Virginia, now. A Clash Of Iron 63.

WELLES Whatever it is, it can wait It’s Christmas Eve . . . FOX She saw the plans.

INT. RECEPTIONIST DESK, DECEMBER 24, 1861 - AFTERNOON LOW ANGLE LONG SHOT across the Reception Desk down the long hallway. The door to Welles’ Office flies open. Welles, Marie, and Fox emerge at a rapid clip and trek down the hall to Secretary of War Stanton’s Office.

INT. STANTON’S OFFICE - AFTERNOON Stanton is organizing his desk. Welles et al barge in. WELLES Mr. Cameron . . . Mr. Stanton. Where is Secretary Cameron? STANTON Secretary Cameron is secretary no longer. His appointment expires next month. There is to be a new Secretary of War. WELLES Who? STANTON Me. WELLES But, you’re his legal advisor. STANTON Well, he didn’t take my legal advice, so, now, I’m him. What can I do for you gentlemen? WELLES This is . . . This is . . . Welles looks to Fox for help.

FOX This is Mary Louvestre, Mr. Stanton. A Clash Of Iron 64.

MARIE Marie Louvestre, Mr. Stanton. WELLES Marie Louvestre of Norfolk, Virginia. STANTON Nice to meet you, Miss Louvestre. FOX She just walked here from Norfolk. MARIE We rowed across Chesapeake Bay and I walked the rest of the way. STANTON Congratulations, Miss Louvestre. That’s a long way to walk. WELLES From Norfolk, Virginia, Mr. Secretary. STANTON Welcome to the United States of America, Miss Louvestre. FOX She has information regarding the Merrimack. She has seen the plans. STANTON What’s a merrimack? WELLES (Incredulous) The Confederate ironclad. FOX It used to be one of our ships, Mr. Stanton, but, now, it’s a Confederate ironclad called the Virginia. Miss Louvestre copied the plans. STANTON Ironclad. Sounds like your department, Mr. Welles. And I don’t appreciate your barging into my office on Christmas Eve to bother me with a bunch of newfangled Confederate tomfoolery. A Clash Of Iron 65.

WELLES Well, Mr. Stanton, when that Confederate tomfoolery steams up the Potomac and lobs a couple of sixteen pound shots into this office, then, sir, it will be in your department.

INT. WAR DEPARTMENT, RECEPTIONIST DESK - AFTERNOON LOW ANGLE LONG SHOT across the Reception Desk down the long hallway. The door to Stanton’s Office flies open. Stanton, Marie, Welles, and Fox emerge and hustle up the hall toward the entrance. Stanton starts barking orders to Receptionist. STANTON Corporal, we’re going across the street. I want an armed escort, if you can manage that. RECEPTIONIST Yes, sir. There’s a security detail, here, just for your protection. STANTON It’s not for me. It’s for her.

EXT. WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D.C. - AFTERNOON Stanton, Marie, Welles, and Fox spill out of the War Department. Marie is flanked by two armed soldiers.

EXT. THE WHITE HOUSE - AFTERNOON The party marches to the White House and enter, the GUARDS remaining outside.

INT. THE WHITE HOUSE, LINCOLN’S OFFICE - AFTERNOON Lincoln is sitting at his desk. There is a knock at the door. LINCOLN Come in. Enter Stanton, Marie, Welles, and Fox. STANTON Mr. President. A Clash Of Iron 66.

LINCOLN Mr. Stanton, Mr. Welles, and Mr. Fox. Is the war over? STANTON It could be, Mr. President. It could be. This is . . . FOX Mary Louvestre. MARIE Marie Louvestre, Mr. President. LINCOLN Pleasure to meet you, Miss Louvestre. How did you fall in with this crowd? MARIE I come north. WELLES Miss Louvestre is a slave who has brought us vital information about the Confederate ironclad. LINCOLN Let us not exaggerate, Mr. Welles. She was a slave. How’s that for a Christmas present, Miss Louvestre? MARIE I expect that’ll do just fine, Mr. Lincoln. (Pulling some papers out of her bosom.) And I’ve got one for you. (Hands Lincoln the plans) Merry Christmas, Mr. President.

EXT. NORFOLK NAVAL YARD, NEW YEAR’S EVE, 1861 - DAY Secretary Mallory and Lt. ap Roger Jones walk up to CAPTAIN BUCHANAN as he watches the Merrimack receive her guns. MALLORY Captain Buchanan, this is Lieutenant Jones. He will be your second in command. JONES Lieutenant Catesby ap Roger Jones, at your service, sir, and happy new year. A Clash Of Iron 67.

BUCHANAN My compliments, Mr. Mallory, and happy new year to you both. At ease, Lieutenant. There’s your berth, Mr. ap Roger Jones. She’ll carry fourteen guns, when she’s finished. MALLORY When will that be, Captain Buchanan? BUCHANAN In thirty days, Mr. ap Roger Jones, we launch. Thirty days after that, we’ll finish fitting her out and punch through the Union blockade, chew up the Union navy, and go to work on every coastal city and fortification between here and New Hampshire. MALLORY Sixty days: and there’s nothing the Yanks can do about it.

EXT. CONTINENTAL IRONWORKS, NEW YEAR’S EVE, 1861 - DAY Ericsson, Bushnell, Worden, and Fox watch as the Monitor receives her two guns and her crew. BUSHNELL Sixty days, Capt. Worden and, then, you launch. There’s your crew. Volunteers, every one of them. WORDEN How many sailors among them, Mr. Bushnell? BUSHNELL Not a one. Some of them are from the East Side, some from the Bowery, some just got out of jail right here in Brooklyn, but none of them have ever been to sea. FOX None of them? ERICSSON Neither has their ship, Mr. Fox. A Clash Of Iron 68.

FOX Two guns, Mr. Ericsson. Two guns against two-inch armor reinforced by four inches of solid oak. Two guns to the Merrimack’s ten. Not what I’d call a fair match. ERICSSON Nor I, Mr. Fox. Ten guns makes quite a target. Happy new year.

EXT. NORFOLK NAVAL YARD, JANUARY 29, 1862 - DAY The band plays Dixie and the crowd cheers as the CSS Virginia (Merrimack) is launched. Mallory is standing next to a BRITISH CAPTAIN. BRITISH CAPTAIN Very impressive, Mr. Mallory. If your ironclad succeeds, Her Majesty’s government is prepared to recognize the sovereignty of the Confederacy. MALLORY If our ironclad succeeds, Captain, Her Majesty’s government won’t have much choice.

EXT. GREENPOINT NAVAL YARD, BROOKLYN - EVENING The Monitor is launched as Ericsson, Worden, Bushnell, Fox, THOMAS NAST, and WALT WHITMAN look on. WHITMAN Mr. Ericsson, my name is Walt Whitman. I’m with the Brooklyn Gazette . . . ERICSSON That’s “Captain Ericsson”. Two esses. WHITMAN Yours is the first ironclad ever to be designed and built as an ironclad. How do you see the future of naval warfare? ERICSSON My design will make the wooden fleets obsolete. A Clash Of Iron 69.

WHITMAN Whose wooden fleet: the Union fleet or the Confederate fleet? ERICSSON Both. WHITMAN The Confederate ironclad was launched yesterday. How long before your vessel can put out to sea? ERICSSON It will take a week or two to properly test the engines, the blowers, the guns . . . WORDEN The toilet. ERICSSON And the toilet. WHITMAN Secretary Fox, does the Department of the Navy agree with that assessment? FOX We’ll see. WHITMAN Once she’s turned over to the navy, what will the ship be called? FOX She’ll be called . . . (to Ericsson) What will you call her? ERICSSON I’ve decided to name her after you, Mr. Fox. She will be known as “The Monitor”.

EXT. ON BOARD THE MERRIMACK - DAY BUCHANAN How’s it coming, Mr. ap Roger Jones? A Clash Of Iron 70.

JONES It’s slow going, Captain. The engines are badly rusted. They’ll have to be taken apart. BUCHANAN Get to it, then. We don’t want to keep the Yankees waiting.

EXT. ON BOARD THE MONITOR - DAY Ericsson and Worden stand on the deck of the Monitor. ERICSSON What are we waiting for, Captain Worden? WORDEN We are waiting on your engineer and Mr. Fox. ERICSSON Engineer? We already have an engineer. Do we need more than one? WORDEN You’ve got more than one gadget down there, Captain Ericsson. ERICSSON And why are we waiting on Fox? If that man would pay us as regularly as he spies on us, we would be ahead of schedule. WORDEN Here he is. Fox steps on board, followed by NEWTON and LOGUE. ERICSSON Mr. Fox, you have, as usual, held up the project. Who is this? FOX This is your ship’s surgeon, Mr. Logue, and this is your engineer, Isaac Newton. ERICSSON Isaac Newton! You have a strange sense of humor, Mr. Fox, as well as a bad sense of timing. A Clash Of Iron 71.

NEWTON I may not know calculus or celestial mechanics, Mr. Ericsson, but I know applied mechanics forward and backward. ERICSSON Forward will do, Mr. . . . NEWTON Just call me “Isaac”. By your leave, I’ll go below and get started. Where’s the hatch? WORDEN It’s aft, Mr. Newton. Aft is that way. Newton and Logue exit. Ericsson turns to Fox. ERICSSON “Isaac Newton”, Mr. Fox? Who is our navigator to be: Copernicus? There is a crash below deck. NEWTON (off) What the hell is that? FOX He’s the best we could do. All of the first-rate engineers have been conscripted by the army. Another crash below deck. ERICSSON You’d better protect your ship, Captain. FOX Before you go, Captain Worden, here are your new orders. Fox hands a letter to Worden. WORDEN New orders! (Reads orders) This says that we are to proceed to the Gulf of Mexico. A Clash Of Iron 72.

ERICSSON The Gulf of Mexico! You can’t be serious. FOX You are to help reinforce the blockade at New Orleans. BUSHNELL This is madness. WORDEN The Merrimack isn’t going to New Orleans. FOX But you are, evidently. ERICSSON The Merrimack is going to destroy the blockade of Chesapeake Bay and then steam up the Potomac, as far ash she can get, to shell Washington. Not that that would be a bad thing. FOX Be that as it may, those are the current orders, until such time as Secretary Welles and I can persuade Secretary Stanton that they are damned-fool orders. Commodore Smith will be coming to the sea trial. ERICSSON What sea trial? FOX The one you’re holding in two weeks. Exit Fox. Ericsson and Worden look at each other. There is another crash below deck followed by cursing.

EXT. NORFOLK NAVAL YARD - DAY Lt. Catesby Ap Roger Jones is supervising the outfitting of the Merrimack. Captain Buchanan watches the activities of the crew as they slather the iron walls with grease. BUCHANAN Sailor, what are you smearing on my ship? Stop that. It stinks. A Clash Of Iron 73.

DRISCOLL Pig fat, sir. BUCHANAN What did you say? DRISCOLL Pig fat, Captain Buchanan, sir. This here is my lard bucket. BUCHANAN What is your name, sailor? DRISCOLL Driscoll, sir. BUCHANAN Mr. Jones! JONES Yes, Captain. BUCHANAN Clap this man in irons. Throw him in the brig. JONES For what, Captain? BUCHANAN Disrespect, insubordination, and vandalism. He made some smart remark about pig fat and he’s smearing my ship with something that smells like rancid bacon grease. JONES Begging your pardon, Captain, he has orders to cover the ship with pig fat. BUCHANAN Whose orders? JONES My orders, sir. BUCHANAN Why would you give such an order, Mr. ap Roger Jones? Is this a ship or a ham hock? A Clash Of Iron 74.

JONES The pig fat is to make the metal surface slippery so that the canon balls will glance off, sir. BUCHANAN Now I’ve heard everything. I am to captain the world’s first pig ironclad. My place in history is assured.

EXT. GREENPOINT NAVAL YARD, BROOKLYN - DAY Ericsson, Bushnell, Smith, Paulding, Davis, and Fox are watching the Monitor’s first trial run. Also on the dock are Welles, Whitman, and Nast, who is sketching. SMITH I hope that our confidence in you has not been misplaced, Mr. Ericsson. The safety of our ships and their crews depends on your being right. Are you sure that your ship is ready? ERICSSON See for yourself, Commodore. This is her first sea trial. SMITH Mr. Fox, I hope that you have not called us out here for nothing. FOX I have every . . . every confidence, Commodore. WELLES At least we’ll see how our money is being spent. At your convenience, Mr. Ericsson. Ericsson waves at Worden who is standing on the bow of the Monitor. ERICSSON Cast off, Captain Worden. The Monitor is unmoored. Worden gives the order to Greene who relays it to Newton who scrambles down the hatch into the engine room. A Clash Of Iron 75.

INT. THE MONITOR’S ENGINE ROOM - DAY STIMERS Captain’s compliments, Mr. Newton. Start your engines. NEWTON Aye, aye, Mr. Stimer. Newton turns valves, pulls levers, and crosses his fingers. The engines cough and sputter to a start.

INT. MONITOR PILOT HOUSE - DAY Lt. Greene is at the helm. Worden scrambles up into the pilot house. WORDEN Mister Greene, all ahead full. GREENE Aye, aye, Captain. Greene looks quizzically at the array of communication tubes. WORDEN It’s this one, I believe, Mister Greene. GREENE Aye, aye, Captain. Greene blows into the tube.

INT. MONITOR ENGINE ROOM - DAY Newton is checking gages, oblivious to the whistling tube. Enter Stimers who crosses to the tube and uncaps it. STIMERS Stimers, here. (He puts his ear to the tube.) Ahead full, Mr. Newton. Newton snaps into action and yanks the drive lever. There is a grinding sound followed by a lurch.

INT. MONITOR PILOT HOUSE - DAY GREENE We’re away, Captain Worden. We’re . . . Going backwards. A Clash Of Iron 76.

Worden puts his eye to the opening.

POV WORDEN: THE DOCK IS RECEDING

INT. MONITOR PILOT HOUSE - DAY WORDEN Hard aport, Mister Greene, hard aport.

EXT. DOCK - DAY SMITH I must say, Ericsson, I’ve never seen a ship maneuver like that, before. Something you invented?

INT. MONITOR BELOW DECK - DAY Ship’s Surgeon Daniel Logue, newspaper under his arm, walks toward the latrine, where an ENSIGN stands outside the door. ENSIGN Mr. Logue, if you want to use the latrine, you’d better let me check you out on the toilet, first. LOGUE Ensign, I have had six years of medical training. I think that I am capable of operating a toilet. ENSIGN But, Capt. Worden’s orders were ... LOGUE Stand aside, sailor. ENSIGN (Handing him a small booklet.) Here, Mr. Logue, sir. At least read this. LOGUE What’s this? ENSIGN The operating instructions. A Clash Of Iron 77.

LOGUE (Taking the booklet.) Give me that. If there’s no paper in there, this may come in handy. I’m not to be disturbed. ENSIGN Very well, sir, but be sure to put the lid down. LOGUE Ensign, you sound like my wife. Now, stand aside. Logue goes into the latrine.

INT. MONITOR PILOT HOUSE - DAY Worden dashes over to the tube and yells into it. WORDEN You’ve got it backward, man. Run it the other way. GREENE No, sir. That’s not the engine room, sir. That’s the turret. The Monitor wobbles from side to side as the turret swivels back and forth like and angry Dalek.

INT. MONITOR LATRINE - DAY Logue lifts the toilet lid, lowers his pants, and sits.

INT. MONITOR PILOT HOUSE - DAY Worden is darting between tubes. WORDEN Stop! Stop! All stop!

INT. MONITOR ENGINE ROOM - DAY Newton and Stimers are flailing around blind as the engine room fills with smoke. A Clash Of Iron 78.

INT. MONITOR PILOT HOUSE - DAY WORDEN Engine room. Engine room. Respond. (Smoke puffs out of the tube.) The blowers. Turn on your blowers.

INT. MONITOR ENGINE ROOM - DAY STIMERS The blowers? Where are the blowers? NEWTON I don’t know. They’re over there, somewhere.

INT. MONITOR PILOT HOUSE - DAY WORDEN Come about, Mister Greene. We’re steaming in circles. GREENE She’s not answering her helm, Captain.

TRACKING SHOT FOLLOWING WORDEN DOWN BELOW DECK AND INTO THE ENGINE ROOM. Worden opens the hatch and smoke billows out. He runs into the engine room.

INT. MONITOR ENGINE ROOM - DAY Worden runs in, yanks the gear lever, then opens the blower ducts.

EXT. DOCK - DAY FOX She’s going to ram us -- backward. The Monitor runs into the dock and coughs to a halt. The vents erupt, spewing smoke. SMITH A smoke screen. Very clever, Ericsson. Good camouflage. A Clash Of Iron 79.

FOX (To Welles) Well, at least she didn’t blow up. SMITH More’s the pity.

INT. INSIDE THE LATRINE - DAY Logue, still sitting on the toilet, reaches up and pulls down the handle. He is immediately thrust up against the overhead on a twelve-foot column of pressurized sea water.

EXT. DECK OF THE MONITOR - DAY The crew comes pouring out of the Monitor amidst billows of smoke.

EXT. DOCK - DAY The entire party leaves the dock in disgust, except for Nast, who is still sketching madly, and Ericsson, who is sitting with his head in his hands.

INT. MONITOR BELOW DECK - DAY Worden is checking the bulwarks for damage. Enter Ensign. ENSIGN Capt. Worden, sir, we have a casualty. WORDEN Is it serious? ENSIGN I’m afraid so, sir. WORDEN Tell the Ship’s Surgeon. ENSIGN The Ship’s Surgeon knows, sir. He’s the casualty. WORDEN What happened? ENSIGN He had an accident, sir. A Clash Of Iron 80.

WORDEN What sort of accident? ENSIGN I’m afraid the toilet got him, sir. Shot him up to the ceiling. I told him to put the lid down, sir. WORDEN I see. ENSIGN Any orders, sir? WORDEN Tell Mr. Logue to clean up the latrine, clean himself up, and toss his uniform overboard. Then, tell him to stand down. Down wind.

EXT. DOCK - DAY Ericsson still has his head in his hands. Nast, still sketching, stands next to him. ERICSSON You know, this would never have happened if I had a first-rate draftsman. NAST First-rate copy, Mr. Ericsson. Our readers will love this. ERICSSON Who are you? A spy? NAST Thomas Nast, New York Tribune. ERICSSON Another reporter. Just as bad. NAST I do news illustrations and political cartoons. ERICSSON I don’t suppose that you have had any drafting experience. A Clash Of Iron 81.

INT. STANTON’S OFFICE - DAY Stanton is gazing out the window. Welles and Fox are giving their report. FOX It was . . . disappointing, Mr. Stanton. Very disappointing. STANTON It was a disaster, Mr. Welles. A public relations disaster. Horace Greeley has declared the Monitor a waste of government money. The New York Tribune is calling it “Ericsson’s Folly”. It should be called “Gideon’s Folly.” You pinned our hopes on this Ericsson, Mr. Welles. WELLES Mr. Ericsson came highly recommended . . . STANTON Recommended? By whom: Jefferson Davis? I have told you both before, this war will not be won by gadgets and gadgeteers. Generals win wars, not hair-brained inventors and their cockeyed inventions. WELLES We feel that there is still a lot of potential in the new ironclad. Commodore Smith suggests that we assign a few of our naval engineers to help Ericsson address the flaws in the vessel’s design and . . . STANTON Go on, say it, Welles: “iron out the wrinkles.” No, gentlemen, we have shall not throw good engineers after bad. WELLES The Rebels will have their ironclad ready in a matter of days, Mr. Stanton. The Merrimack will use our blockade like a shooting gallery. What are we going to do about that? A Clash Of Iron 82.

STANTON I’ll tell you what you are going to do about it, Mr. Welles. You are going to lift the blockade. WELLES Lift the blockade? And do what with the ships? STANTON Move them out of harm’s way. And, this time, Mr. Welles, I’ll thank you not to leave the enemy any souvenirs.

INT. WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D.C. - DAY Welles and Fox emerge from Stanton’s office. WELLES Well, Mr. Fox, you know what we must do. FOX Yes, Mr. Welles. I do.

EXT. GREENPOINT NAVAL YARD, BROOKLYN, MARCH 8, 1862 - DAY Ericsson is standing on the dock, surveying the Monitor. Worden walks up to him, buttoning his coat. WORDEN We’ve finished the repairs, Captain Ericsson: the engine valves have been corrected; the tube system has checked out; and the ventilation blowers are back on line. ERICSSON They’re calling it “Ericsson’s Folly”, Captain Worden. The newspapers describe the Monitor as a cheese-wheel on a cracker. “The Warship Wafer”, they’re calling it; “The Brooklyn Biscuit”; “The Toast of New York” -- oh, that’s clever. “The Monitor is a floating joke and its crew will die laughing.” It isn’t too late to resign your commission, Captain. By the way, is that a new uniform? A Clash Of Iron 83.

WORDEN Yes, it is. ERICSSON Who . . . ? WORDEN Vincent on First Street. A parade sailors file on board with canon ammunition. ERICSSON What’s that? FOX Your ammunition, Captain Ericsson. The Monitor is now the property of the United States Navy. (Handing Worden an envelope.) Here are your new orders, Captain Worden. You sail tonight. WORDEN Sail for where this time? FOX To Hampton Roads to meet the Merrimack. By the way, you never got these orders from me. Worden salutes Fox, salutes Ericsson, and starts to board. Olivia comes running up with a dress uniform coat. WORDEN Olivia. What are you doing here? OLIVIA I came to see you off and to give you this. WORDEN What is it? OLIVIA (Handing him a lint brush) You forgot your lint brush. If you must sail into battle, you should look your best. (Notices the Monitor.) What on earth is that? WORDEN That’s what I’m sailing into battle. A Clash Of Iron 84.

OLIVIA Oh, my God. WORDEN That’s what I’m hoping the enemy will say. OLIVIA Good luck, John. Come back in one piece. (They kiss.) And try not to spoil your new uniform. Worden puts his cap on his head and boards the Monitor. The crew casts off and the Monitor steams down the East River toward the open sea.

EXT. GOSPORT NAVAL YARD, MARCH 8, 1862 - EARLY SUNDAY MORNING CAPTAIN BUCHANAN boards the Merrimack, aka CSS Virginia. Buchanan and Jones are smoking cigars. Driscoll is still smearing pig fat. Enter Mallory and Jefferson Davis. MALLORY Captain Buchanan. BUCHANAN Secretary Mallory. President Davis. MALLORY Is she ready to set sail? BUCHANAN No, sir. We don’t set sail. We get up steam. MALLORY Is she ready to put out to sea, then? BUCHANAN She’s ready to be deep fried, Mr. Secretary, if you’ve got the bread crumbs. MALLORY Then, heat up the pan and weigh anchor, Captain. A Clash Of Iron 85.

BUCHANAN (To Jones) Mr. Catesby ap Roger Jones, prepare to weigh anchor. JONES Aye, aye, Captain. JEFFERSON DAVIS God speed, Captain Buchanan. Buchanan salutes and steps onto the deck. BUCHANAN (To Driscoll) As you were, sailor. Captain Buchanan goes below. DRISCOLL I’m much obliged for your intervention with the captain about the pig fat, sir. That was a close call with being thrown into the brig. JONES Not really, Mr. Driscoll. We don’t have a brig. Prepare to weigh anchor. DRISCOLL Aye, aye, sir.

EXT. NORFOLK NAVAL YARD, MARCH 8, 1862 - EARLY SUNDAY MORNING The Merrimack pulls away from the pier and heads out into Chesapeake Bay.

INT. WELLE’S OFFICE - EARLY SUNDAY MORNING Welles is gazing out the window over the Potomac. Enter Fox. WELLES Has Captain Worden received his orders? FOX Yes, Mr. Welles. The Monitor set sail yesterday. WELLES Have you heard from Fort Monroe? A Clash Of Iron 86.

FOX Yes. They’ve just set up their telegraph office overlooking Hampton Roads. WELLES At least we’ll know when the Merrimack emerges from her lair. I hope we’re not too late. FOX Have you told Mr. Stanton about changing his orders? WELLES No. No point in that. If this works, you and I will be heroes. FOX And if it doesn’t. WELLES We’ll be shot.

INT. MERRIMACK PILOT HOUSE - EARLY SUNDAY MORNING JONES Awaiting your orders, Captain Buchanan. BUCHANAN Take her out, Mister Catesby ap Roger Jones. Take her out. With the band playing and crowds cheering, the Merrimack slowly pulls away from the dock and steams into the bay.

INT. CABINET ROOM - SUNDAY MORNING Welles and Stanton are gazing out the window. WELLES I used to imagine it would be nice having an office that overlooked the Potomac. That’s where the Merrimack will be coming, after she wipes out our blockade. STANTON When that happens, I want plenty of warning. A Clash Of Iron 87.

A PRIVATE SIMPSON enters the room. SIMPSON Private Simpson, reporting as ordered, sir. WELLES You our telegrapher? SIMPSON Yes, sir. WELLES Had much experience? SIMPSON Used to work for the railroad, sir. WELLES Very good, then. Set up your telegraph, Private, and stay alert. STANTON Has the telegraph cable been laid between here and Fort Monroe? WELLES Yes, they finished laying the cable yesterday. We should be getting reports as soon as the Fort Monroe telegraph is set up.

EXT. ESTABLISHING SHOT OF FORT MONROE - SUNDAY MORNING

INT. FORT MONROE TELEGRAPH OFFICE - SUNDAY MORNING Enter a CORPORAL and a fourteen-year-old boy named O’BRIEN. CORPORAL Here you go, boy. What’s your name? O’BRIEN O’Brien, sir. Charles O’Brien. CORPORAL Very well, Mr. O’Brien. See this spyglass? Your job is to keep a look-out on the bay out there and transmit anything that happens to Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles in the War Department. A Clash Of Iron 88.

O’BRIEN What am I watching for? CORPORAL The Merrimack. O’BRIEN What’s a Merrimack? CORPORAL A big iron alligator carrying a box full of guns on its back. O’BRIEN What does that look like? CORPORAL You’ll know it when you see it. Corporal hands O’Brien the spyglass and exits.

INT. QUAKER HILL FRIENDS MEETING HALL - SUNDAY MORNING The congregation sits in quiet study, meditation, and prayer. Olivia is sitting next to her mother. Olivia rises. OLIVIA My husband, whom some of you may know, sails into battle. I ask only that we all pray for his safety. Olivia sits. Mrs. Toffey rises to speak. MRS. TOFFEY Thus saith the Lord: “And he shall judge among the nations and shall rebuke many people; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” So saith the Lord. Mrs. Toffey sits down. Olivia leans over to her. OLIVIA Don’t start, Mother. A Clash Of Iron 89.

INT. CABINET ROOM - SUNDAY MORNING Welles is at the telegraph. Enter Fox. He pulls Welles aside. FOX The Congress, the Cumberland, and the Minnesota are underway. WELLES Who is captain of the Congress? FOX Captain Joseph Smith, Commodore Smith’s son. WELLES Let’s hope it’s not too late to get them out of there.

EXT. ON BOARD THE CONGRESS - SUNDAY MORNING 2ND LIEUTENANT We’re underway, Captain Smith. CAPTAIN SMITH Very well, Lieutenant. Let’s get out of here. 2ND LIEUTENANT What’s that coming around Sewell’s Point, sir?

EXT. HAMPTON ROADS - SUNDAY MORNING The Merrimack is rounding Sewell’s Point.

EXT. ON BOARD THE CONGRESS - SUNDAY MORNING CAPTAIN SMITH That’s what we were running away from. Battle stations, Lieutenant.

INT. CABINET ROOM - SUNDAY MORNING Seated around a long table are Stanton, Seward, Welles, and Lincoln. Simpson is sitting in the corner at the telegraph. LINCOLN Mr. Welles, what is the status of the blockade? A Clash Of Iron 90.

STANTON I have advised Mr. Welles to lift the blockade. LINCOLN Oh? Why? STANTON For the simple reason, Mr. President, that it cannot be sustained in the face of the imminent Confederate ironclad. LINCOLN The British and the French each have a ship parked off the Virginia coast. What will they think when they see us abandon -- what do you call the blockade, Mr. Welles? WELLES Operation Anaconda, Mr. President. LINCOLN What will the powers of Europe think when they see us abandon Operation Anaconda? Have we not prepared our own ironclad? WELLES We have, Mr. President, but we decided it would be prudent to get our ships out of harm’s way until the Monitor can get down to Chesapeake Bay. LINCOLN Are our ships out of harm’s way? WELLES Not yet, Mr. President, but they are weighing anchor, even as we speak.

INT. FORT MONROE TELEGRAPH OFFICE - SUNDAY MORNING O’Brien is looking through a spy glass. He sees the Merrimack rounding the point. He puts down the spyglass and taps out a message.

INT. CABINET ROOM - SUNDAY MORNING Welles has risen and is gesturing toward the telegraph desk. A Clash Of Iron 91.

WELLES I don’t expect the Confederate ironclad will attack on a Sunday, but, in case she does, we are in communication with Fort Monroe. Their new telegraph office is connected directly to this room. If the Merrimack shows itself, we should have plenty of warning. LINCOLN The telegraph is a marvel of science, Mr. Welles. The telegraph begins to click. Simpson begins writing. WELLES What’s it saying, Private? SIMPSON The Merrimack has been sighted rounding Sewell’s Point, sir.

EXT. HAMPTON ROADS - DAY The Merrimack approaches the Cumberland, the Congress, and the Minnesota.

INT. THE MERRIMACK PILOT HOUSE - DAY Captain Buchanan studies the Cumberland. JONES That’s the Cumberland, Captain, and the Congress. BUCHANAN Ignore the Congress for the moment, Lieutenant. Head straight for the Cumberland. Let’s see how she rams. The Merrimack steams toward the Cumberland. JONES The Congress is coming up off the starboard bow, Captain. BUCHANAN It is low-hanging fruit. Very well, Mr. ap Roger Jones, roll out your guns. A Clash Of Iron 92.

The Merrimack’s gun ports open and puts a broadside into the Congress as it steams past. The Congress returns fire.

INT. FORT MONROE TELEGRAPH OFFICE - DAY O’Brien leaves the window and begins tapping furiously.

INT. CABINET ROOM - DAY The telegraph is clicking. Simpson recites as he writes: SIMPSON The Merrimack has put a broadside into the Congress.

INT. MERRIMACK PILOT HOUSE - DAY JONES No damage to us, Captain. BUCHANAN Full ahead, Mr. Jones.

EXT. HAMPTON ROADS - DAY The Cumberland opens fire on the Merrimack. The canon balls bounce off of her armor.

INT. FORT MONROE TELEGRAPH OFFICE - DAY O’Brien is still tapping furiously.

INT. CABINET ROOM - DAY The telegraph is clicking. SIMPSON The Merrimack has crippled the Congress. She is steering straight for the Cumberland . . . The Cumberland gives her a broadside.

EXT. HAMPTON ROADS - DAY The Merrimack plows into the Cumberland. A Clash Of Iron 93.

INT. MERRIMACK PILOT HOUSE - DAY BUCHANAN Handsomely done, Mr. ap Roger Jones. Now, back out.

EXT. HAMPTON ROADS - DAY The Merrimack strains to pull her prow from the Cumberland.

INT. MERRIMACK PILOT HOUSE - DAY JONES We’re stuck, Captain. BUCHANAN Work her loose. Fire a broadside.

EXT. HAMPTON ROADS - DAY The broadside dislodges Merrimack, but she loses her prow.

INT. MERRIMACK PILOT HOUSE - DAY JONES We’ve lost our prow, Captain. BUCHANAN We’ll get another one.

INT. CABINET ROOM - DAY SIMPSON They rammed the Cumberland. She’s sinking.

EXT. HAMPTON ROADS - AFTERNOON The Congress and the Minnesota run aground.

INT. MERRIMACK PILOT HOUSE - AFTERNOON JONES With your permission, Capt. Buchanan, I believe the Congress and the Minnesota have run aground. A Clash Of Iron 94.

BUCHANAN Head for the Congress.

EXT. HAMPTON ROADS - AFTERNOON The Merrimack steers for the Congress.

EXT. ON BOARD THE CONGRESS - AFTERNOON LIEUTENANT We’ve run aground, Captain Smith. It’s hopeless. CAPTAIN SMITH Run out the white flag, Lieutenant. Tell the crew. Ready the long boats.

INT. CABINET ROOM - AFTERNOON SIMPSON The Congress and the Minnesota have run aground. The Congress is running out a white flag.

INT. MERRIMACK PILOT HOUSE - AFTERNOON JONES The Congress is surrendering, Captain. They’re asking permission to unload their crew. BUCHANAN Permission granted.

EXT. ON BOARD THE CONGRESS - AFTERNOON LIEUTENANT They’re signalling that they’ll give us enough time to abandon ship before they set fire to her. CAPTAIN SMITH Very generous of them. Get the crew into the long boats, Lieutenant. Wounded first. Officers last. LIEUTENANT Which boat will you be in, Capt. Smith? A Clash Of Iron 95.

CAPTAIN SMITH This one.

EXT. HAMPTON ROADS - AFTERNOON The Congress loads and lowers its boats. Buchanan and Jones go on deck to observe. As the crew of the Congress is climbing down into the boats, a shore battery opens fire on the Merrimack. A ball bounces off the Merrimack. Then, there is small arms fire and a rifle ball hits Buchanan in the shoulder and he falls into Jones’ arms. JONES Mr. Driscoll, bear Capt. Buchanan below. BUCHANAN God-damned Yankees. Mr. Catesby ap Roger Jones, blast that ship to hell. JONES Mr. Davis, fetch some coals from the engine room.

EXT. HAMPTON ROADS - AFTERNOON The Merrimack completes its arc.

INT. MERRIMACK ENGINE ROOM - AFTERNOON Seaman Davis has a fireman shovel coals into a bucket; exits.

INT. MERRIMACK GUN DECK - AFTERNOON Davis sets the bucket of coals down and shovels some into one of the guns.

EXT. HAMPTON ROADS - AFTERNOON The Merrimack sends a broadside of fire shot into the Congress. The Congress bursts into flame.

INT. MERRIMACK CAPTAIN’S QUARTERS - EVENING Buchanan is attended by the SHIP’S SURGEON. Enter Jones. BUCHANAN Is she burning? A Clash Of Iron 96.

JONES Yes, she is, Captain. BUCHANAN Well done, Mister --- I should say, Captain Catesby ap Roger Jones. I’m afraid I’ll have to oblige you to assume command. Where’s the Minnesota? JONES She’s run aground, sir. BUCHANAN Mighty considerate of them. We’ll sink her and go home for the day. JONES I’m afraid not, sir. The tide’s out. We can’t get near her without running aground ourselves. BUCHANAN Very well, then. We can finish her off in the morning. She’s not going anywhere. I suggest you put in for repairs and put me ashore.

EXT. HAMPTON ROADS - EVENING The Merrimack turns in a wide arc and heads back home.

EXT. ON BOARD THE BRITISH SHIP IN THE HARBOR - EVENING The British Captain is on the quarter deck talking to his FIRST OFFICER. BRITISH CAPTAIN Jolly fine performance. Can’t wait to see what’s on the bill for tomorrow.

INT. CABINET ROOM - DAY All are watching the telegraph intently as it clicks. SIMPSON The Merrimack is breaking off the attack. She’s heading back to Norfolk. But . . . A Clash Of Iron 97.

WELLES But what, man? SIMPSON But, the Congress is ablaze. WELLES Did the crew get off? Simpson taps out a message. There is a pause, then a reply. SIMPSON No, sir. Welles goes to the door. STANTON Where are you going, Welles? WELLES It’s Sunday, Mr. Stanton. I’m going to order the Monitor to protect the Minnesota and, then, I’m going to church. Exit Welles. STANTON I’ll be damned. (To Lincoln) Your pardon, Mr. President. LINCOLN Church might be the place for all of us, this evening, Mr. Stanton.

INT. A CHURCH - EVENING The church is almost empty. Commodore Smith is sitting alone in a pew, reading the Bible. Welles appears in the doorway, then walks to Smith and sits next to him. WELLES Commodore Smith. SMITH Secretary Welles. I’ve been expecting you. If you’re here, it must be bad news. WELLES I understand that your son, Joseph, is serving aboard the Congress. A Clash Of Iron 98.

SMITH Yes. He’s captain of the Congress. WELLES The Merrimack ran her aground. She surrendered, but they shot her with fire and set her ablaze. SMITH The Congress surrendered? Then, Joe must be dead.

INT. CABINET ROOM - EVENING Stanton is pacing, Fox is talking to the Simpson, Seward is shuffling through despatches, and Lincoln is whittling. STANTON Mr. President, the Merrimack has not gone for good. She’ll be back in the morning to finish off the Minnesota. Then, she’ll steam up the Potomac to finish off Washington. If she makes it this far, she’ll put a ball right through that window. LINCOLN Mary will like that. It’s been a while since we had a ball in the White House. STANTON This is no joke, Mr. President. (to Fox) Fox, what’s the name of that contraption that’s supposed to engage the Merrimack? FOX The Monitor. STANTON I want the Monicker to come here, up the Potomac and sit outside this window and protect the White House. SEWARD (Holding up one of the despatches) It’s too late for that, Mr. Stanton. STANTON What do you mean, “too late”? A Clash Of Iron 99.

SEWARD According to this despatch, the Monitor sails with orders to protect the Minnesota. She’s on her way to Hampton Roads. FOX Mr. Welles sent the despatch last night, as you may recall, Mr. Stanton. The Monitor should reach the Minnesota around midnight. I concurred in the decision. STANTON You’d better be right. Both of you.

EXT. HAMPTON ROADS, MARCH 9, 1862 - JUST AFTER MIDNIGHT The Minnesota is listing to one side. A few hundred yards away, the Congress is still burning.

EXT. ON BOARD THE MINNESOTA - NIGHT CAPTAIN HENRY VAN BRUNT is talking to the NIGHTWATCH. VAN BRUNT How goes it, Watchman? NIGHTWATCH It’s been pretty peaceful, Captain, except for the Congress over there. VAN BRUNT Still burning, is she? NIGHTWATCH Yes, sir. I figure it’s just a matter of time before the fire hits her powder magazine. VAN BRUNT I think I’ll turn in, then. I expect we’ll have a busy day, tomorrow, if that armored monster comes back. If she does, wake me. NIGHTWATCH Yes, sir. (Glances through spyglass) Begging your pardon, Captain van Brunt, but, what the hell is that? A Clash Of Iron 100.

POV NIGHTWATCH: The Monitor slowly heaves into view. TWO SHOT of VAN BRUNT and the NIGHTWATCH. VAN BRUNT (Taking spyglass) Let me see. NIGHTWATCH It looks like a tin can on a shingle. VAN BRUNT Good god, not another submarine! POV van Brunt of the Monitor as it pulls along side. Captain Worden is standing on the deck. WORDEN Ahoy, Minnesota. NIGHTWATCH Who and what goes there? WORDEN Captain Worden of the Monitor. We are your relief, Captain van Brunt. Is your ship out of danger? There is an explosion. LONG SHOT of the Congress, blowing up. VAN BRUNT Does that answer your question?

INT. FORT MONROE TELEGRAPH OFFICE - NIGHT O’Brien, draped over the telegraph, is jolted awake by the explosion.

EXT. THE MINNESOTA - NIGHT HIGH ANGLE of van Brunt talking to Worden. WORDEN What was that? VAN BRUNT That was the Congress, blowing up, sir. A Clash Of Iron 101.

WORDEN Can we be of assistance, Capt. van Brunt? VAN BRUNT No, Capt. Worden, I don’t see how. WORDEN Just the same, I think we’ll stick around. VAN BRUNT Suit yourself, Captain. I’m going to bed. Good night, Captain Worden. WORDEN Good night, Captain van Brunt. (To Greene) Mr. Greene, we’ll tie up here, tonight. Air out the engine room, siphon out the gun turret, and drop anchor.

EXT. HAMPTON ROADS, MARCH 9, 1862 - EARLY MORNING The Merrimack, with fresh armor and a new prow, steams around the point and heads for the Minnesota.

INT. MERRIMACK PILOT HOUSE - MORNING JONES Is she still there, Boatswain? BOATSWAIN (Looking through spyglass) She’s still there, Captain. JONES Let’s not keep her waiting any longer. Pipe all hands. Roll out your guns.

EXT. DECK OF THE MINNESOTA - MORNING Captain van Brunt is looking through a spyglass. VAN BRUNT Here she comes. Better ready your guns, Mr. Johnson. A Clash Of Iron 102.

EXT. HAMPTON ROADS - MORNING POV MERRIMACK: The Minnesota is getting closer. Slowly, the Monitor comes out from behind the Minnesota.

EXT. BRITISH SHIP IN THE HARBOR - MORNING The First Officer is on the quarter deck, looking through his spyglass. The British Captain comes up on deck. BRITISH CAPTAIN Good morning, Mr. Merriweather. FIRST OFFICER Good morning, Captain. BRITISH CAPTAIN Any sign of that iron alligator thing? FIRST OFFICER Aye, Captain, she just rounded the point. Seems to be headed for ... What the deuce?

EXT. HAMPTON ROADS - MORNING The Monitor slowly comes out from behind the Minnesota.

EXT. BRITISH SHIP IN THE HARBOR - MORNING The First Officer hands the spyglass to his captain. FIRST OFFICER It appears to be a large piece of flat bread. What do you make of it, sir? BRITISH CAPTAIN Good god! It looks like Melba toast -- and a Double-Gloucester Cheese.

EXT. MERRIMACK PILOT HOUSE - MORNING BOATSWAIN Begging your pardon, Captain, but, what the hell is that? A Clash Of Iron 103.

JONES (Glancing through spyglass) Hell if I know, Boatswain. Maybe it’s a water supply barge. Pay it no mind. BOATSWAIN Whatever it is, it’s going to be in our line of fire. JONES That’s their hard luck. Prepare a broadside for the Minnesota. Mark your range.

EXT. DECK OF THE MONITOR - MORNING Capt. Worden, Lt. Greene, Dr. Logue, and Stimers are standing on deck. The Merrimack fires. One of the canon balls sails right over head and crashes into the Minnesota. WORDEN Gentlemen, I give you the Merrimack. Better get below. As the Merrimack and the Minnesota trade broadsides, the Monitor turns her turret toward the Merrimack and fires. The canon ball crashes into the Merrimack’s armor.

INT. MERRIMACK PILOT HOUSE - MORNING BOATSWAIN That thing is firing on us, sir. JONES I’ll be damned. Well, blow the thing out of the water.

EXT. HAMPTON ROADS - MORNING The Merrimack angles down her guns and fires at the Monitor. Most of the balls overshoot, but the few that hit the Monitor bounce off.

EXT. BRITISH SHIP IN THE HARBOR - MORNING FIRST OFFICER The cheese wheel seems to be impervious to canon balls. (MORE) A Clash Of Iron 104. FIRST OFFICER (CONT'D) And it rides so low, there’s almost nothing to shoot at. BRITISH CAPTAIN Really? Not very sporting.

EXT. ON SHORE - MORNING Two BOOKMAKERS are standing on the shore, posting odds on a chalkboard as the German Count peers through his spyglass. BOOKMAKER Five-to-one odds on the Union ironclad. Five-to-one. Best odds on the beach, ladies and gentlemen. Five-to-one.

EXT. HAMPTON ROADS - MORNING The Monitor’s turret turns around to allow the crew to reload, then the turret revolves back and fires at the Merrimack.

INT. FORT MONROE TELEGRAPH OFFICE - MORNING O’Brien is tapping furiously while looking out the window.

INT. CABINET ROOM - MORNING Everyone is looking at Private Simpson. SIMPSON The Monitor and the Merrimack are trading broadsides. STANTON Broadsides? The Monotreme has only two guns. You call that a broadside? SIMPSON They’re exchanging . . . fire, again. No effect. The Monitor is making another pass. Another broadside from the Merrimack. The Monitor fires. No effect either way. The canon balls just bounce off. STANTON Bounce off which one? A Clash Of Iron 105.

SIMPSON Both of them, sir. The Merrimack is drawing off. She’s circling around. STANTON Where’s the Minotaur. FOX Monitor. STANTON Monitor, whatever. What’s our ironclad canapé doing? PRIVATE The Monitor is giving chase. She’s nipping at the Merrimack’s heels. Now, they’re engaging, again.

EXT. HAMPTON ROADS - DAY As the Merrimack describes a wide circle and comes about, the Monitor fires, then, as her turret turns, the Merrimack fires. The canon balls bounce off the turret.

INT. MERRIMACK PILOT HOUSE - DAY Worden blows into a tube. WORDEN Gun crew, we’re coming about. Fire as your guns bear.

INT. INSIDE THE MONITOR’S TURRET - DAY The crewmen manually turn the turret, reload the guns, and wait.

INT. MERRIMACK PILOT HOUSE - DAY Worden runs over to the opening to view the Merrimack, then runs back to the tube. WORDEN (Yelling into tube.) Fire as your guns bear. (Nothing.) I said “fire”. A Clash Of Iron 106.

EXT. HAMPTON ROADS - DAY The Merrimack unloads a broadside on the Monitor.

INT. MONITOR PILOT HOUSE - DAY Stimers comes running into the pilot house. STIMERS Captain Worden, the guns are loaded. Do you wish to return fire, sir? WORDEN Yes, damn it, man, fire.

INT. INSIDE THE TURRET - DAY Stimers runs in. STIMERS Captain says: “Fire away”.

EXT. HAMPTON ROADS - DAY The Monitor fires and hits the Merrimack.

INT. MONITOR PILOT HOUSE - DAY Worden is blowing into the tube. Enter Stimers. STIMERS Awaiting your orders, Captain. WORDEN The tube isn’t working. You’ll have to relay my orders to the gun crew and return here. STIMERS What are your orders, Captain? WORDEN Just tell them to fire at will until I tell them to stop. STIMERS Aye, aye, sir. A Clash Of Iron 107.

INT. INSIDE THE TURRET - DAY The turret is shipping water. Enter Stimers. STIMERS Captain says fire when ready and keep firing.

EXT. CHESAPEAKE BAY SHORELINE - DAY Spectators are lining the beaches and cliffs overlooking the bay. Ladies with parasols are climbing into boats and shoving off. One BOAT OWNER is hawking boat rides through a megaphone. The German Count is taking notes on the battle. BOAT OWNER Hurry, hurry, hurry! Get your ride out to Hampton Roads right here. Can’t see the battle without a boat. Get a fish-eye view. Take out your popcorn and bring back memories. Bay excursion and battlefield tour for just one dollar. Step right up and step right in. The two Bookmakers are posting odds on a chalkboard and taking bets. BOOKMAKER Three-to-one on the Union ironclad. Three-to-one. Best odds on the beach. Two spectators waves money at him. BOOKMAKER (CONT’D) Is that a fiver? You’re covered. Is that a ten, sir? Five-to-one on the Union ironclad. Five-to-one odds on the floating flat bread. Is that . . . U. S. currency, only, sir. No Confederate money, please.

INT. INSIDE THE TURRET - DAY Gun crew rolls the guns into position, then turns the turret.

EXT. HAMPTON ROADS - DAY The Monitor fires, the turret turns. The Merrimack fires. The Minnesota fires, hitting the Monitor’s turret. A Clash Of Iron 108.

INT. INSIDE THE TURRET - DAY A ball strikes the turret, knocking some of the crew leaning on the inside wall off their feet. BOATSWAIN Watch where you’re shooting, Minnesota.

EXT. ON SHORE - DAY People are still climbing into boats, spreading picnic blankets, wading out in bathing suits. The Bookmakers are posting odds. BOOKMAKER Three-to-one on the Merrimack. Three-to-one.

INT. CABINET ROOM - DAY SIMPSON The Minnesota scored a hit. WELLES Any damage to the Merrimack. SIMPSON No, sir. They hit the Monitor. STANTON Nice shooting, Minnesota.

EXT. HAMPTON ROADS - DAY The Boat Owner steers his boat near the Minnesota, picks up his megaphone, and yells up to Captain van Brunt. BOAT OWNER Nice shooting, Minnesota. You hit the Union ironclad. VAN BRUNT (Yelling down at the Boat Owner) Shut the hell up.

MONTAGE: The Merrimack fires. A Clash Of Iron 109.

The Monitor fires. The Merrimack rams the Monitor. The Monitor bounces off. The Monitor rams the Merrimack and bounces off.

INT. FORT MONROE TELEGRAPH OFFICE - DAY The O’Brien is wearing out both the telegraph and himself.

INT. CABINET ROOM - DAY SIMPSON They’re still pounding away at each other, sir. STANTON I’m tired of all of this back-and- forth. Is the Monocle a war ship or a jackdaw? When is your ironclad going to score a hit, Welles? WELLES A moment ago, she was a cheese box. Now, she’s an ironclad. STANTON How long have they been at it, now? LINCOLN (Checking his pocket watch.) I’d say about four hours, by my reckoning. STANTON So, how much longer do we have to wait for a decisive blow?

EXT. HAMPTON ROADS - DAY The Monitor fires, hits the Merrimack and one of the Merrimack’s plates loosens.

INT. MONITOR PILOT HOUSE - DAY WORDEN Looks like we scored a hit. Her armor is starting to come off. (MORE) A Clash Of Iron 110. WORDEN (CONT'D) Let’s see if we can’t loosen a few more plates, Mr. Greene. Flank her stern, Pilot.

EXT. HAMPTON ROADS - DAY The Monitor comes about, firing at the Merrimack’s stern, then pulls alongside the Merrimack.

INT. MONITOR PILOT HOUSE - DAY Worden looks out the viewing hole.

EXT. HAMPTON ROADS - DAY The Merrimack opens fire and hits the Monitor’s pilot house.

INT. MONITOR PILOT HOUSE - DAY The canon blast blows a piece of shrapnel through the viewing hole. Worden falls back. His face is blackened and bloody on one side. Greene rushes to his side. GREENE Captain, you’re hit. WORDEN I can’t see you, Mr. Greene. You’ll have to take over. Enter Stimers. GREENE Mr. Stimers, get the boatswain and bear Captain Worden below to sickbay. Pilot, break off the attack.

EXT. HAMPTON ROADS - DAY The Monitor pulls away from the Merrimack.

INT. FORT MONROE TELEGRAPH OFFICE - DAY O’Brien is watching out the window. He resumes tapping. A Clash Of Iron 111.

INT. CABINET ROOM - DAY The telegraph is clicking. SIMPSON The Monitor is breaking off the attack, sir. She’s heading out to sea. STANTON Heading out to sea! What’s Worden up to? He’s supposed to protect the Minnesota.

INT. MERRIMACK PILOT HOUSE - DAY HELMSMAN She’s breaking off the attack, Captain. JONES So she is. I reckon we best do the same. HELMSMAN We’re letting her get away, Captain? JONES Get away? I tell you, Helmsman, if I had a ship like that, I could sink this one in half an hour. Come about and head for home. Our work, here, is done. HELMSMAN What about the Minnesota, sir? JONES They can have her.

INT. CABINET ROOM - DAY SIMPSON The Merrimack is leaving.

INT. MONITOR PILOT HOUSE - DAY GREENE Come about, Pilot. Get us right along side her. A Clash Of Iron 112.

PILOT We can’t, Captain Greene. The Merrimack is leaving. GREENE Leaving? PILOT Shall we give chase, Captain? GREENE No, Pilot. Our orders were to protect the Minnesota and so we have. Our work, here, is done.

INT. CABINET ROOM - DAY SIMPSON The Monitor is heading back toward the Minnesota. WELLES And the Merrimack? SIMPSON Gone. STANTON Gone? Why doesn’t Worden go after her? Finish her off? WELLES He has his orders, Mr. Stanton. Besides, battles are not won by gadgets, remember? STANTON This is turning into a war of gadgets. LINCOLN Well-said, Mr. Stanton. Order me up ten more of those gadgets, Mr. Welles. WELLES Yes, sir. I’ll see Captain Ericsson tomorrow, Mr. President. Lincoln crosses to the door and picks up his hat. A Clash Of Iron 113.

LINCOLN Please give Captain Ericsson my compliments, Mr. Welles, and . . . and give him his money. Exit Lincoln. STANTON Is that it? A draw? Is that all we get for our $300,000? An ironclad stalemate? WELLES No, Mr. Stanton, you got a thingamabob that just made every navy in the world obsolete --- including ours.

EXT. HAMPTON ROADS - DAY HIGH ANGLE OF CHESAPEAKE BAY The Monitor is anchoring next to the Minnesota while the Merrimack disappears around Sewell’s Point.

INT. FORT MONROE TELEGRAPH OFFICE - DAY The O’Brien has collapsed from exhaustion next to his telegraph.

EXT. SHORELINE - DAY Battle tourists are piling out of their boats. The two Bookmakers are packing it up, as is the German Count.ˆ BOOKMAKER Looks like a draw, ladies and gentlemen. All bets are off. Better luck next time.

EXT. BRITISH SHIP IN THE HARBOR BRITISH CAPTAIN American ironclads. Not at all sporting. A Clash Of Iron 114.

EXT. CHESAPEAKE BAY - DAY Worden is being carried off the Monitor on a stretcher. Olivia comes running down the hill to him. OLIVIA Oh, John. Are you badly hurt? WORDEN They got me, Olivia. OLIVIA Your eye, John. WORDEN A little blurry, but, I can still see you, Olivia. OLIVIA Don’t you go blind on me, John. My mother is never going to let me hear the end of this. WORDEN Your mother would complain if I came back with three eyes. OLIVIA Look at what they did to your uniform. We are going straight to your tailor. And, Sunday, we are going to meeting. WORDEN (With wry sarcasm) I’m so glad I survived.

EXT. GOSPORT SHIPYARD, NORFOLK, MARCH 9, 1862 - DAY Mallory and Jefferson Davis are standing on the dock, watching the Merrimack put in for repairs. Captain Buchanan emerges with his arm in a sling, accompanied by Catesby ap Roger Jones. JEFFERSON DAVIS Well, Captain Buchanan, how did we do? BUCHANAN I’ve got good news and bad news for you, Mr. President. A Clash Of Iron 115.

JEFFERSON DAVIS How’s that, Captain Buchanan? BUCHANAN The good news is that it was a draw. JEFFERSON DAVIS And what’s the bad news? BUCHANAN It was a draw. She stood us off. JEFFERSON DAVIS Mr. Mallory, what are the chances that this cheese box ironclad is the only one the Union Navy has got? MALLORY No chance at all, Mr. President. They’ll crank ‘em out like hot cakes, now. JEFFERSON DAVIS I see. It looks like winning this war will take a little longer than we thought. (Tipping his hat and leaving.) Gentlemen. Jefferson Davis walks away, leaving Mallory, Buchanan, and Catesby ap Roger Jones to ruminate.

INT. ERICSSON’S STUDY - EVENING Ericsson is having dinner at his desk. Behind him, a calling card pops into a glass tube in the wall, followed by another, then another. Ericsson snatches the card, then pulls a lever next to the tube. Enter Welles, Fox, and Bushnell. WELLES Mr. . . . Captain Ericsson. The Monitor performed splendidly, the other day, splendidly. We bring your government’s sincere gratitude. ERICSSON Is that all? FOX And your money. Fox hands Ericsson an envelope. He takes it and puts it in his desk. A Clash Of Iron 116.

ERICSSON Thank you, Mr. Fox. I’ll count it later. BUSHNELL The President is ordering ten more Monitors. ERICSSON Really? FOX Payment in advance, of course. ERICSSON Ah. In that case, you might be interested in another invention that will revolutionize warfare. BUSHNELL Let’s see it, Ericsson. ERICSSON It’s right over here. (Picking up a sketch from his desk.) This is just a sketch, you understand. My draftsman is working up the blueprints as we speak. BUSHNELL Ah, you found somebody, then. Someone answered your ad? ERICSSON Not exactly. Ericsson throws a lever in the wall. Across the room, the drafting table descends into place. Seated on the drafting stool is Marie, drawing plans for a lighter-than-air craft. ERICSSON (CONT’D) Mr. Fox, Mr. Welles, I believe you’ve met my new draftsman. Mr. Bushnell, Marie Louvestre. She’s quite good. BUSHNELL So I’ve heard. (To Marie) You’re a heroine to the Union cause, Miss Louvestre. MARIE Fiddley-dee, Mr. Bushnell. Fiddley- dee. A Clash Of Iron 117.

FOX What’s this you’re working on, Miss Louvestre? MARIE I have no idea, Mr. Fox. I have no idea. ERICSSON It’s an airship. WELLES What kind of ship? ERICSSON An airship. FOX You mean a balloon? ERICSSON No, no, no, not a balloon. Do you think that I would waste my time designing a balloon? It’s an airship. An Atmotic Airship. FOX A what? WELLES What kind of airship? ERICSSON An Atmotic Airship. FOX Did he say “atomic”? ERICSSON An Atmotic Airship consists of an envelope of hot gas contained in a semi-rigid framework and propelled by a fifty-horsepower caloric engine. FOX What kind of engine? ERICSSON It’s revolutionary. The Ericsson Atmotic Airship will give the Union command over any battlefield. (MORE) A Clash Of Iron 118. ERICSSON (CONT'D) Given sufficient altitude, advancing armies and ships at sea can be stopped or even obliterated by aerial bombardment. Welles and Fox look at each other. WELLES Well, Mr. . . . Captain Ericsson, we won’t take up anymore of your time. FOX Yes. We can see that you’re quite busy. Are you coming, Mr. Bushnell? BUSHNELL I’ll be along, later. Save me a seat on the train. WELLES Then, good day to you both. FOX Good day. Exit Welles and Fox.

INT. ERICSSON’S HALLWAY - EVENING FOX Astonishing. WELLES Unbelievable. “Atomic Airship”. FOX Quite mad. WELLES I’m afraid so. As Fox and Welles approach the front door, mechanical arms hand them their hats. The door automatically opens, revealing the German Count standing on the porch, hat in hand. GERMAN COUNT Count von Zeppelin to see Herr Ericsson. FOX He’s in there. A Clash Of Iron 119.

GERMAN COUNT Danke. Fox and Welles eye the German Count as he makes his way to Ericsson’s study. FOX Count von Zeppelin? WELLES Never heard of him. They exit.

INT. ERICSSON’S STUDY - EVENING CU of the drawing of the Atmotic Airship. It looks very much like a dirrigible. Camera backs away to reveal Bushnell and the German Count intently watching over Marie’s shoulder. BUSHNELL This is amazing, Ericsson. Amazing. Your new airship could end the war in a matter of months. Well done. GERMAN COUNT It is wünderbar, Herr Ericsson. A semi-rigid, lighter-than-air ship. Who would have thought of such a thing? Is that a toilet? ERICSSON No, that’s the bomb bay. GERMAN COUNT A bomb bay on an airship? Now, there’s an idea! I must build one of these. How ever did you think of this? Ericsson returns to his desk and his lunch. BUSHNELL How did you think of it, Ericsson? How do you do it? ERICSSON Do what? A Clash Of Iron 120.

BUSHNELL Come up with these ideas. Ironclads, airships, caloric engines. ERICSSON They just come to me. BUSHNELL What was it that inspired the Monitor, John? How did you come up with such a design? ERICSSON (Holding an oval cracker with a lump of cheese in the middle.) I don’t know. It just came to me. Ericsson pops the cracker into his mouth.

INT. QUAKER HILL FRIENDS MEETING HALL - SUNDAY MORNING The congregation sits in quiet meditation and prayer. Mrs. Toffey rises to speak. MRS. TOFFEY Brothers and sisters, as the Lord said unto his disciples on the mount: “Blesséd are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth; Blesséd are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy; Blesséd are the peacemakers, for they shall be called ‘the Children of God.’” The door opens. Worden, in full dress uniform and a patch over one eye, enters with Olivia. Everyone is stunned. Worden removes his cap and sits next to his father-in-law. Olivia take her seat next to her mother who, speechless, sits down. After an awkward silence, Mrs. Toffey starts to rise, but Olivia rises and speaks first. OLIVIA Thus saith the Lord: “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father and the daughter against her mother and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. (MORE) A Clash Of Iron 121. OLIVIA (CONT'D) And a man’s foes shall be of his own household.” This day is the prophecy fulfilled in your ears. Olivia looks down at her mother, then sits. Mrs. Toffey starts to rise to speak, but, biting her lip, she breaks down and leans into Olivia, weeping. Olivia comforts her, looking over at John. John’s father-in-law pats John on the shoulder and shakes his hand. HIRAM Son, that’s two battles thee has won. John looks over at Olivia and gives her an approving nod. Olivia returns his nod.