"Battle of the Ironclads" builds the tension as the North and the South build their own ironclad ships at the same time. Who would finish first? It was a virtual tie, but the CSS Virginia (the Merrimack) reached Hampton Roads first. On March 8th, she almost destroyed the Union's wooden fleet in Hampton Roads. The ultimate battle between the Monitor and the Virginia went on for four hours until it ended in a draw. But there were winners-who were they? Why did it end in a draw? Why didn't the battle continue on March 10th until one ship or the other won? All of these questions are answered in "Civil War in Hampton Roads: Battle of the Ironclads".

The Confederacy develops a navy -- The Union's response -- Building the U.S.S. Monitor -- Building the C.S.S. Virginia -- The C.S.S. Virginia attacks the Union fleet -- Battle of the ironclads -- Epilogue.