The USS Congress, Cumberland, Minnesota, and the Monitor all battle it out overseas with the CSS Merrimack and Beaufort. Each ship only has only one goal in mind, to send the other ship and all of their crew down to their watery graves. In this seemingly endless battle the question on everyone’s mind is: does suffering come from God, as a form of punishment or testing, or does it arise from and within man, when man tires to be like God? Afloat in Virginia, upon the USS Congress everything is still and quiet. The crew is talking about their surroundings, talking about the sweet breeze and looking at the stars above. Ordinary seamen, Thomas Cannon and William Chapman, are arguing whether or not God is to blame for their sorrows and war filled life. Also, a topic in the conversation is their enemies’ ship, the Merrimack, housed by Confederate soldiers. The Confederate stole the US Navy’s ship called the Virginia and has since renamed it the Merrimack. …show more content…
Once it is decided, they take out the Cumberland first with ease, then reverse their course so they can strike the Congress next. The Minnesota was also attacked, but barely got away once the Virginia was distracted by the Congress. After the repairs are made, the rebels sail past the Congress and as they are passing they rake them with cannon fire. After a tiring battle, the Congress raises a white flag in surrender. Franklin Buchanan orders their brother, the Beaufort, to receive their surrender and take their crew