who won the battle between monitor and merrimac
Battle of Hampton Roads
The victory claims that were made by each side in the immediate aftermath of the Battle of Hampton Roads , based as both were on misinterpretations of the opponent 's behavior , have been dismissed by present - day historians . They agree that the result of the Monitor -- Merrimack encounter was not a victory for either side . As the combat between ironclads was the primary significance of the battle , the general verdict is that the overall result was a draw . All would acknowledge that the Southern fleet inflicted far more damage than it received , which would ordinarily imply that they had gained a tactical victory . Compared to other Civil War battles , the loss of men and ships for the Union Navy would be considered a clear defeat . On the other hand , the blockade was not seriously threatened , so the entire battle can be regarded as an assault that ultimately failed . 
The victory claims that were made by each side in the immediate aftermath of the Battle of Hampton Roads , based as both were on misinterpretations of the opponent 's behavior , have been dismissed by present - day historians . They agree that the result of the Monitor -- Merrimack encounter was not a victory for either side . As the combat between ironclads was the primary significance of the battle , the general verdict is that the overall result was a draw . All would acknowledge that the Southern fleet inflicted far more damage than it received , which would ordinarily imply that they had gained a tactical victory . Compared to other Civil War battles , the loss of men and ships for the Union Navy would be considered a clear defeat . On the other hand , the blockade was not seriously threatened , so the entire battle can be regarded as an assault that ultimately failed .
The result of the Monitor - Merrimack encounter was not a victory for either side. The Southern fleet inflicted far more damage than it received, which would ordinarily imply that they had gained a tactical victory.  On the other hand, the blockade was not seriously threatened, so the entire battle can be regarded as an assault that ultimately failed.
They agree that the result of the Monitor -- Merrimack encounter was not a victory for either side . All would acknowledge that the Southern fleet inflicted far more damage than it received , which would ordinarily imply that they had gained a tactical victory . On the other hand , the blockade was not seriously threatened , so the entire battle can be regarded as an assault that ultimately failed .