Medal commemorating the action in Hampton Roads, 1862. Obverse: Port broadside view of the Federal ship 'Monitor' and the Confederate ship 'Merrimac' behind, in action, both firing, a three-masted vessel in the distance (right). Legend (enclosed by a line): 'THE FIRST BATTLE BETWEEN IRON CLAD WAR VESSELS.' Reverse: Inscription (within an oak garland), 'THE REBEL STEAMER MERRIMAC, WITH 12 GUNS, DEFEATED BY THE UNION STEAMER MONITOR, WITH 2 GUNS, IN HAMPTON RDS, MAR . 9 . 1862.' The 'Monitor' designed by a Swede, had a very low free-board and carried a revolving iron turret mounting to two 280 mm guns.