Ironclads

Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy:
[after viewing the 'Monitor' concept] Well, gentlemen? Yes or no?

Commdr. Smith:
We have information from Gosport that the 'Merrimack' will be ready to come out of the drydock in less than five months. No one can start from scratch and build us an ironclad in that short a time except Ericsson. He's promised to deliver us one within ninety days. On that basis, I say yes.

Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy:
Commodore?

Union Officer:
I agree with Commodore Smith.

Cmdr. Davis:
I say take the thing home and worship it! It resembles nothing on the earth, or in the seas or in the skies, so you can't be accused of idolatry.

Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy:
A simple 'no' would have sufficed, Commander. Mr. President?

Abraham Lincoln:
[studying the 'Monitor' model] All I can say is what the girl said when she put her foot in the stocking. It strikes me there's something in it.