Ironclad Down: USS Merrimack â CSS Virginia from Design to Destruction

Much has been written about the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia (aka Merrimac), and the famed first clash of ironclads. But when author Carl D. Park began looking for detailed structural information about the CSS Virginia that he could use to build a meticulously detailed scale model, he was surprised to learn that very little was actually known about this world-famous historic ship-and much of what was available was actually incorrect. The result of more than fifteen years of research, Ironclad Down is a treasure trove of detailed information about one of history's most famous vessels. Describing the fascinating people– Stephen Russell Mallory, John Mercer Brooke, John Luke Porter, et al. – who conceived, designed and built one of the world's first ironclads as well as describing the ship itself, Park offers both the most thoroughly detailed, in-depth analysis to date of the actual architecture of the Virginia and a fascinating, colourful chapter of Civil War history. About the Author After serving in the army, Carl D. Park studied design at the Layton School of Art and majored in fine art at Lake Forrest College. He has worked as an art director and an exhibit designer and builder. Model building is both a vocation and avocation. Park has written and illustrated numerous`how-to’ articles for Fine Scale Modeler magazine.