The following extract is from the history of the Washington Navy Yard published in 1890. It is the work of a fellow by the name of Hibbard, the post Chaplin. Panic along the Federal Atlantic coast was generated by the undecisive contest between the C.S.S. Virginia and the U.S.S. Monitor. The following bit of angst from the Commandant of the Yard.

On March 11, 1862, the commandant addressed the Department as follows:
The paramount importance of heavy iron plating in naval construction is not only decided by recent events (referring to the exploits of the Merrimac), but the urgency of making instant provision for their fabrication is especially plain. I therefore recommend that there be inserted in the naval appropriation bill now pending, an authorization to extend the present means of this yard so as to have the fabrication of iron plates proceed with the least possible delay. In addition to the above I also recommend the construction of a large "ram" for the defense of our principal harbors. Such a harbor as New York, in my opinion, is only defensible by such means. Blocking the channel is out of the question. A ram without masts, with large massive hull, iron-cased, and possessed of great speed, will be effective.