Monitor National Marine Sanctuary was the first national marine sanctuary ever designated in the United States. It protects the wreck of the famed Civil War ironclad USS Monitor, and the sanctuary works with partners to honor and interpret it for the American people.
Monitor National Marine Sanctuary partnered with Stantec and Northrop Grumman's Technology for Conservation program to capture high resolution sonar images of the USS Monitor shipwreck. These fine scale scans highlight how advanced technology can enhance and expand our understanding of the shipwreck and continue Monitor's legacy of innovation for future generations. Explore scans of the shipwreck alongside an interactive timeline, animations, and Monitor related milestones.
Dive 230 feet below the Atlantic Ocean off the North Carolina coast on one of our nation's most historic shipwrecks, USS Monitor. This Civil War ironclad sank in 1862, and in 1975, it became the first national marine sanctuary – Monitor National Marine Sanctuary. Transformed from a weapon of war to an island of marine life, Monitor continues to serve as habitat for a wealth of marine life. Dive in to see sand tiger sharks, sea turtles, and more!
This virtual collection will act as a public resource to display many of the artifacts in pre- and post-treatment status to highlight the benefits of conservation and the science behind the conservation process. Explore the collection to learn more about the USS Monitor's artifacts and the stories these historic treasures can tell about the U.S. Civil War and life at sea in the 1860's.
Artifacts recovered from the USS Monitor are conserved at the Batten Conservation Lab located in The Mariners' Museum and Park in Newport News, Virginia. Come explore artifact conservation and learn how you can see the artifacts and conservators at work.
As part of the 50th anniversary, a new commemorative poster will be released each month to capture the beauty and diversity of your National Marine Sanctuary System—starting with Monitor National Marine Sanctuary.
Safeguarding America's Premier Marine Places
From Washington state to the Gulf of America and from the Great Lakes to the Pacific Islands, the National Marine Sanctuary System protects 18 underwater parks spanning over 629,000 square miles of ocean and Great Lakes waters. By investing in innovative solutions, we strengthen these iconic places to address 21st-century challenges while supporting America's commerce and tourism. These unique locations inspire people to visit, value, and steward our nation's iconic ocean and Great Lakes places.
