The Outer Banks of North Carolina from space showing the approximate position of the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary. This photo was taken by the Apollo 9 astronauts 3/12/69, during their 136th orbit of Earth. (photo: NASA)
A side view illustration of the Monitor resting on the sea floor. Note that the ship is upside down, but the turret was visible due to it slipping off and down to the stern. (illustration: Jeff Johnston)
An illustration of the Monitor as seen from above it's current position. (illustration: Jeff Johnston)
Image compiled from a series of video stills by Jeff Johnston of Monitor National Marine Sanctuary. This image (from the port stern) shows the location of the Monitor's turret and how it supports the wreck off of the bottom. The area under the armor belt is the area targeted for stabilization by NOAA. (photo: Monitor National Marine Sanctuary)
Image compiled from a series of video stills by Jeff Johnston of Monitor National Marine Sanctuary. This image (from the port stern) shows the location of the Monitor's turret and how it supports the wreck off of the bottom. The area under the armor belt is the area targeted for stabilization by NOAA. (photo: Monitor National Marine Sanctuary)
The Monitor's armor belt is resting on its displaced turret, upside down. The armor belt is at the top of the photo. (photo: Monitor National Marine Sanctuary)
The framing around the main engine. (photo: Monitor National Marine Sanctuary)
View of the Monitor's bow showing how the currents scour out around areas of the wreck. (photo: Monitor National Marine Sanctuary)
View of the Monitor's bow showing how the currents scour out around areas of the wreck. (photo: Monitor National Marine Sanctuary)
View across the forward area of the wreck looking aft. Shows the significant collapse of the midships bulkhead. The structure to the right is the now displaced "turret support truss" and marks the original location of the Monitor's turret. (photo: Monitor National Marine Sanctuary)
Bent and bowed deck support stanchions and the angled ends of "floor beams" along the port boiler. (photo: Monitor National Marine Sanctuary)
View looking aft through what was the port side coal bunker. The armor belt is to the left of the bunker. (photo: Monitor National Marine Sanctuary)
Stairway on the starboard side of the fire room that led up to the engine platform. (photo: US Navy)
Illustrations of the mechanics of the engine from the side and top views. (illustration: Jeff Johnston)
Port side view of the Monitor's vibrating side lever engine under the engine frames and platform.
The Monitor is also a habitat. It attracts larval animals which attach to the structure and form an artificial reef, which in turn attracts other sea life. This image was taken from the Clelia submersible. (photo: Monitor National Marine Sanctuary)
An oyster toadfish (Opsanus tau) rests on the side of the USS Monitor
A Manta (Manta birostris) flies over the Monitor while Navy divers take a break from their mission to look on in awe. (photo: Monitor National Marine Sanctuary)