Site of home of Col. Ed Murray who built the USS Merrimac, 1855. Ship was taken by Confederates at Norfolk, April 20, 1861. Rebuilt as "ironclad," the CSS Virginia. On March 8, 1862, it sank two US ships off Hampton Roads, Va. Next day engaged in famous five-hour battle with USS Monitor. Virginia was burned May 10, 1862, to prevent capture by Union forces.
