She is called the first ironclad.

While she was being reconstructed John Ericsson was building his _Monitor_ in New York.

The turret was first used on this vessel.

It is worth noting that at the time of the engagement between these two ships the _Monitor_ was not the property of the Federal Government, but belonged to C.S.Bushnell, of New Haven, who built her at his own expense, in spite of the opposition of the Navy Department of that day.

The Government paid for her long after the fight.