Monitor National Marine Sanctuary

Monitor National Marine Sanctuary is the leading facility for the conservation of (MNMS) was designated on January 30, 1975, over 200 tons of Monitor artifacts. The off the of North Carolina, as the nation’s museum’s Batten Conservation Laboratory first national marine sanctuary. The sanctuary Complex has conserved over 60% of the protects the wreck site of the USS Monitor, the collection that includes more than 1,500 prototype for a class of U.S. Civil War ironclad, objects with items from small personal effects turreted warships that significantly altered both to large pieces, such as the rotating gun turret. naval technology and marine architecture in A NOAA data buoy installed in the sanctuary the nineteenth century. The Monitor fought for now makes it possible to view real-time data the Union in the infamous Battle of Hampton on water and air temperature, wind direction, Photo: Monitor Collection, NOAA Roads. The battle ended in a draw, but it wave height and other environmental The historic shipwreck of the USS initiated the dawn of iron warships. On conditions. The data collected aide mariners in Monitor was designated as the nation’s December 31, 1862, less than a year after its determining sea conditions off the first national marine sanctuary. launch, the Monitor sank in a storm on its way Hatteras coast. under tow to Beaufort, NC. Today, Monitor National Marine Sanctuary protects the wreck Education and Outreach for future generations and works to share this Monitor National Marine Sanctuary remains iconic vessel's historical and cultural legacy committed to engaging visitors and local with the public. communities through education and outreach to learn more about our nation’s maritime Research and Monitoring heritage. Whether it is participating in events Since it was first discovered, ship's historical supporting local economies, placing wayside significance captured the attention of signs to create a Monitor Trail, providing researchers and archaeologists; however, due educational programs and materials that teach to its remote location, it is a difficult area to about our maritime heritage and the USS Photo: Courtesy of Library of Congress study on a regular basis. Today, researchers Monitor, or creating a series of downloadable Less than a year after its launch, the and archaeologists continue to study the site, videos that depict iconic places in North USS Monitor sank in a storm on its way and each expedition has revealed new Carolina, the sanctuary strives to inspire new to Beaufort, NC. information that provides us with a deeper audiences to protect our rich maritime heritage understanding of the Monitor's legacy. resources and act as wise stewards. The Mariners’ Museum in Newport News, VA,

Photo: Courtesy of The Mariners’ Museum The USS Monitor Center at The Mariners’ Museum in Newport News, VA serves as the sanctuary’s primary visitor center.

Photo: Joe Hines The USS Monitor represented a revolutionary concept in ship design with new inventions and innovations. http://monitor.noaa.gov/ Monitor National Marine Sanctuary

Location 16 miles off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina

Protected Area 1 square mile

Designation January 1975

Habitats Artificial Pelagic, open ocean

Key Species Amberjack Black sea bass Coral Dolphin Find Us Office of National Marine Sanctuaries Manta ray 100 Museum Drive Network of marine protected areas tiger shark Newport News, VA 23606 Encompasses more than 170,000 square miles Scad 757-599-3122 Established October 1972 Sea anemone Sea urchin On the Web On the Web Sting ray Email: [email protected] sanctuaries.noaa.gov www.facebook.com/pages/Monitor-National- www.facebook.com/NOAAOfficeofNationalMarineSanctuaries Marine-Sanctuary/75101577927 Instagram: @noaasanctuaries Twitter: @sanctuaries Tumblr: @noaasanctuaries

Photo: Courtesy of Library of Congress Photo: Monitor Collection, NOAA Photo: Monitor Collection, NOAA On July 9, 1862, some of the Monitor’s crew The remains of two unidentified sailors were After sinking in 1862, the USS Monitor wreck relaxed on deck in this photo taken by James discovered in the USS Monitor’s recovered now teems with marine life. Gibson. turret. http://monitor.noaa.gov/