The Mariners’ Museum On certain days, the turret tank is drained so conservators are able to work inside it. Treatment includes removing interior plating, cleaning and stabilization. Library of ...

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — The tank housing the historic USS Monitor's gun turret was drained for the first time in years while undergoing conservation efforts at The Mariners’ Museum and Park in ...

The USS Monitor had only two guns, while the Merrimack had 10. The Monitor’s guns, however, were a larger caliber and were mounted on a rotating turret, powered by a steam engine.

The drained tank holding the USS Monitor’s revolving gun turret is seen from the Batten Conservation Complex observation platform at The Mariners’ Museum and Park in Newport News on Monday.