THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 23, 1995 TAG: 9502210078
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 05 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JOAN C. STANUS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
History buffs will get a chance to relive Hampton Roads' most famous battle when the Norfolk Historical Society and Nautical Adventures sponsor a re-enactment and encampment at Fort Norfolk on March 11 and 12.
Throughout the two days, scale models of the Civil War battleships the Monitor and the Merrimack will conduct a mock battle in the harbor, just offshore from the historic Norfolk fort. The original ships clashed in a March 1862 Civil War engagement off Hampton Roads now dubbed ``The Battle of the Ironclads.'' Although the battle was termed a draw, it is considered by historians to mark the start of modern naval engineering, since the vessels were the first ironclad warships.
The replicas were constructed in 1988 by Norfolk residents William Horton and Mike Harrison. When not used for special events, the two ships are stored at Willoughby Bay Marina.
In addition to the battle re-enactment, the Confederate Marines of the Sixth Virginia Artillery will set up camp on shore and conduct drilling exercises, educational programs and demonstrations for the public. The marines will explain the life of a typical Civil War seaman, as well as the history behind the battle.
Seven oil paintings by Benjamin Richardson, a 19th-century artist who watched the original engagement, also will be on display. The paintings, done in 1872, have not been exhibited to the public for decades, said Amy Yarsinske, a Norfolk historian and official with Nautical Adventures.
``They've been in storage at the Chrysler and the Hampton Roads Naval Museum,'' she said. ``It will be a rare treat for the public to view the battle through the eyes of someone who was actually there.''
In addition to the Richardson works, other naval paintings from private collections also will be exhibited.
Hours for the re-enactment activities are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. The mock battle will take place in 45-minute cycles at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday, and at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday. All the activities are free and open to the public.
The historic re-enactment is part of Fort Norfolk's yearlong bicentennial celebration. The Norfolk Historical Society has plans to commemorate other significant historical events that occurred in Norfolk.
On May 13 and 14, the society will sponsor a War of 1812 Military Muster and re-enactment of the Battle of Craney Island.
That battle took place June 22, 1813, in the Elizabeth River just up from Fort Norfolk.
Some 1,000 re-enactors and members of the public are expected for the two-day event. In addition to a mock battle, military drilling, period military music and cannon firings will be held. Demonstrations also will be held in blacksmithing, basket-making, candleworks and glass-blowing. Hours for the free public event are 10 a.m to 6 p.m. May 13 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 14. by CNB