This bell helped sailors keep time on the U.S.S. Minnesota. During the Civil War, the Minnesota was the flagship of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron. The ship played a part in the famous Battle of Hampton Roads (March 1862). On the first day of the battle, the Minnesota ran aground and suffered heavy damages against the Confederate ironclad Merrimack. Knowing the wooden Minnesota was no match for the ironclad, the Union ironclad Monitor came the second day and helped the Minnesota escape.