The CSS Virginia was a Confederate ironclad warship during the American Civil War, constructed as a response to the Union's ironclad USS Monitor. Originally a captured Union steam frigate, the Merrimack, it was rebuilt and armored with iron plates, becoming the CSS Virginia. The ship was revolutionary in design, with an armored casemate and ironclad ram, making it a formidable vessel in naval warfare. Its most famous battle was the clash with the USS Monitor in the Battle of Hampton Roads in 1862, marking the first meeting in combat of ironclad warships and changing the course of naval history. The CSS Virginia also participated in other engagements, but was eventually scuttled by Confederate forces to prevent its capture by Union troops. The wreck was later salvaged and its remains can be found in various museums today. The CSS Virginia's impact on naval technology and warfare was significant, influencing the design of future warships and highlighting the importance of armored vessels in modern naval combat.

This description has been generated using GPT-3.5-TURBO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.