the battle Hostile_encounter of hampton roads , also referred to as the battle Hostile_encounter of the `` monitor Scrutiny '' and `` merrimack ( or virginia '' ) or the battle Hostile_encounter of ironclads , was a famous and arguably most important naval battle Hostile_encounter of the american civil war Military_operation .

although britain and france had been engaged Participation in an iron-clad arms race Competition since the 1830s , the battle Hostile_encounter of hampton roads signalled Statement a new age of naval warfare had arrived Arriving for the whole world .