Monitor and Virginia

Has anyone done a timeline where the battle between the Monitor and Merrimack/Virginia had a decisive outcome either way, or a draw with both ships wrecked? If the Dahlgren guns on Monitor had been fired with 30 pound charges, or the rebel ironclad had carried solid shot, either or both ships could have been wrecked.
Also a successful ramming could have ended the battle, either with Monitor driven under, or Virginia's rudder smashed, leaving her completely unmaneuverable...
 

ben0628

Banned
If I'm not mistaken, although it was technically a draw, in reality it was a victory for the Monitor since the Virginia suffered a crap ton of damage and the Union was able to effectively maintain its blockade (although the Virginia's existence after the battle led to much Union overcaution during the Peninsula Campaign).

Had the battle lasted any longer, the Virginia would have most likely been sunk, which would allow Union ships to go further up river. Whether or not this could change the outcome of the peninsula campaign, I do not know
 
If I'm not mistaken, although it was technically a draw, in reality it was a victory for the Monitor since the Virginia suffered a crap ton of damage and the Union was able to effectively maintain its blockade (although the Virginia's existence after the battle led to much Union overcaution during the Peninsula Campaign).

Had the battle lasted any longer, the Virginia would have most likely been sunk, which would allow Union ships to go further up river. Whether or not this could change the outcome of the peninsula campaign, I do not know

The rebel ship did take more damage--lots more damage--but the possibility was there for either or both ships to be destroyed, depending on decisions made befre the battle or during it, from the loadout on Virginia to the powder charges on Monitor. The blockade being broken would be a temporary thing, but still have repercussions, and Virginia in OTL did keep Union ships away from her location.

I couldn't do a timeline based on either ship's loss--do not know the situation well enough. A definitive result would also have effects on naval design, depending on which ship won.
 
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