The difference between the Monitor and the Vasa, Mary Rose and the Sutton Hoo ship is pretty simple. The three were excavated/recovered to fill knowledge - essentially to answer questions on HOW the ships were built. Their recovery filled the knowledge gap of Western Europe's history.

Portions of the Monitor's hull have been brought up, as was at least portions of her power plant/boiler system. The rest of the ship is too fragile to bring up as it is.

I see little gain in the general knowledge or major gaps to be filled by raising the turret - which is what was recently raised. Why? Because we have Erickson's original designs and construction notes. We had, until after WWI, examples of subsequent "monitor" ships IN SERVICE. They were built on improvements in the original design, after the builders had a chance to re-think the limitations of the original vessal. Information from the surviving officers and crew of the original Monitor was incorporated into the later (1863-@1870) designs. These vessels were used as harbor defense ships through WWI.

On top of that, we have many photographs of the original Monitor. Do these answer every question? No - will there be additional information gleaned from the metal raised from the sea? Not likely.

If I remember the story right, two officers were set to head up the turret ladder - one allowed the other to go first - saying something like, "after you, sir" - First guy out survived, the other one was knocked back into the turret by a wave, as she rolled over and went down with the ship. Part of me says that's the guy they found and brought up.

If we're going to raise the Monitor to preserve her as a "historic vessel" - then let's raise the Utah, the ships in Truk Lagoon, the Sherman amphibious tanks that took their crews down with them the morning of 6 June trying to "swim" ashore, the Lusitania, the Prince of Wales, the Hood and the ships lost at Jutland.

Then let's dig up the dead at Sharpsburg, Gettysburg, the Somme, Ypres and elsewhere to see what we can learn from them.

Maybe not. Maybe we should let the dead rest.

Pete