The Moiter By connorjeffmitchell Jun 14, 1855 USS Merrimack is launched at the Boston Navy yard. Feb 20, 1856 USS Merrimack is commissioned. Feb 25, 1856 USS Merrimack is completed. Feb 16, 1860 USS Merrimack put out of commission at the Norfolk Navy Yard. Feb 25, 1861 USS Monitor is commissioned in New York. Apr 20, 1861 USS Merrimack scuttled and burned at the Norfolk navy yard. Jul 19, 1861 Senator James W. Grimes of Iowa introduces a bill to have an ironclad ship built for the war. Aug 3, 1861 Senate Bill 36 authorizing the construction of an ironclad vessel becomes law. Oct 26, 1861 Keel of the USS Monitor is laid down in New York. Jan 13, 1862 Lieutenant John L. Worden is assigned to command the newly built USS Monitor. Jan 30, 1862 USS Monitor is launched Brooklyn, New York. Feb 19, 1862 USS Monitor makes its first trials in New York harbor. Mar 6, 1862 USS Monitor leaves New York for Hampton Roads. Mar 8, 1862 Battle of Hampton Roads (March 8-9) between the CSS Virginia and USS Monitor. Dec 31, 1862 Famed USS Monitor sinks off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, while sailing to Beaufort, North Carolina.