Varnum Continentals

Preserving and Sharing Rhode Island History

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You are here: Home / Archives for Merrimack

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] Cannon Ball Fired by a Ship Accompanying the CSS Virginia (Merrimack)

January 14, 2017 By James Mitchell Varnum

Cannon ball taken from the rudder post of the USS Cumberland
Cannon ball taken from the rudder post of the USS Cumberland

New technology met “the way we’ve always done things” in a big way on March 8, 1862, off the coast of Virginia. The old war sloop, the USS Cumberland, and four other wooden Navy sailing ships faced off against the CSS Virginia (formerly the Merrimack), the world’s first steam-powered and iron-clad warship. This ship instantly made every Navy ship in the world obsolete. The Union ships were all defeated or run aground. The Cumberland was sunk.

Cleaning out one of the cases at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, we found this great memento from this landmark sea battle that changed naval history forever.  The painting shows the USS Cumberland on fire and being rammed by the CSS Virginia.

USS Cumberland on fire and being rammed by the CSS Virginia
USS Cumberland on fire and being rammed by the CSS Virginia

Filed Under: Museum Exhibits, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: 19th century, civil war, CSS Virginia, Merrimack, Navy, varnum memorial armory

[MAY 8 VARNUM MEMBER MEETING] Speaker Greg Banner on “El Salvador: US participation in a Central American Civil War

May 4, 2023 By James Mitchell Varnum

In 1991, Greg Banner (a US Army Major at the time) was assigned as an advisor in El Salvador. The US had established an advisory team approximately 10 years prior to help that country fight a communist insurgency. Major Banner spent 15 months as the team leader for one of the several district teams living with and helping Salvadoran units fight their war. This presentation will provide some background to the war and then an overview of one soldier’s experiences there, up to and including the peace treaty which was signed at the end of his tour.

About the Varnum Continentals

The Varnum Continentals are committed to the preservation of the historic heritage of our community, our state, and our nation. Please take a virtual tour of our museums to learn more about our mission to encourage patriotism. You can participate with us through active membership and/or philanthropic support in our non-profit organization. Donations are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Museum tours are welcomed and our facilities may be rented for suitable events.

Our Mission

The Varnum Continentals are committed to encourage patriotism through the Varnum Armory Museum, the Continental Militia, and the James Mitchell Varnum House and thus to preserve, support, and communicate the military history of our community, our state, and our nation.

Recent Posts

  • [MAY 8 VARNUM MEMBER MEETING] Speaker Greg Banner on “El Salvador: US participation in a Central American Civil War
  • [APR. 10 DINNER MEETING] Speaker Blake Ruehrwein on Monuments Officers of the 21st Century
  • [MAR. 20 DINNER MEETING] Maria Vazquez on Conservation of the USS Constellation Anchor

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