CSS Virginia - where is she?

[briny_norman]

Hi

I'm slowly getting the hang of this wonderful game.
I've chased the Blue of of Fort Monroe in July 62, just to see one of their blockade fleets move in and trap the army I used for the assault.
Now it can't move! :-)
So I think "CSS Virginia to the rescue".
And I start looking for her - but can't find her...
I don't think I remember any event where she appeared in the game yet - am I supposed to build her myself?
Is she an event (that apparently hasn't triggered in my game) or is she just the first ironclad I build in Norfolk?

[Captain_Orso]

I suppose it depends on what patch level you are playing and which scenario.

In the April '61 Grand Campaign Norfolk starts in Union hands, but with no garrison. If the Confederacy manages to take Norfolk the Merrimack will be raised and renamed the CSS Virginia and her rebuilding will commence.

I'm not sure, but at some patch level I believe there was a time frame introduced as to when the South could still capture Norfolk and the hulk of the Merrimack, after which the Merrimack is considered completely destroyed and maybe some of the artillery that the South can capture in Norfolk is considered to have be removed from the arsenal for a safer location.

[briny_norman]

I'm playing the July 61 scenario - just changed to the latest patch - game originally started on the beta patch.
On the first turn I gained control over Norfolk harbour - obviously a scripted event.
I've replayed the first few turns of this scenario a few times now and at no time is anything mentioned about the CSS Virginia.
So I guess that for some reason you don't get Virginia if you play the July scenario - must be a small bug.
I've started my own ironclad program now - have commisioned 5(!) ironclads in Norfolk which will be ready late autumn '62.
They should give the union blockade ships a run for their money :-)
It cost me a bunch of cash and war supply that I'll no doubt sorely miss later on, but it's always fun to experiment a little.
Nice that the game allows you these mad decisions too.

[GraniteStater]

I haven't seen Dahlgren & the Monitor in a July Union start.