52 Merrimac and Monitor Docks. 



round, revolving turret (small tower) were too strongly 

 covered with plates of iron. The Merrimac was com- 

 pelled to retire from the contest, which was her last. 



The Monitor. 



21. The Monitor's two big guns were fired through 

 openings in the tower. When fired, the cannons were 

 brought back into the tower and the openings closed by 

 heavy iron doors. 



22. This famous engagement took place at 

 the mouth of the James River, near the City 

 of Norfolk, in 1862. 



23. The length of the Monitor was 174 feet and its 

 width 41 feet. 



24. A dock is a part of a harbor or river 

 which is enclosed between piers, wharves, or 

 high banks, where vessels may enter to load or 

 unload. 



25. Some docks have gates to close tightly 

 where it is necessary to prevent the water from 

 running out with the falling tide. 



