Photograph by Dr. Desmond Cook

Richard Gregory, Dean of the College of Sciences, stands inside the turret of the USS Monitor, which was recovered August 2002 by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The Civil War ironclad vessel is best known for its battle with the Confederate ironclad Virginia in Hampton Roads on March 9, 1862. Visitors to the Mariner's Museum in Newport News can also view the 142-year-old ship weekdays when the chamber it rests in is drained.