Engine Room (Aft)
At the aft end of the engine platform on the starboard side
stood the condenser—the collection point for the waste
steam generated by the engine. An arm extending off of the
port rock shaft of the engine operated the condenser pumps.
One could pump the collected water out of the hull or return
it to the boilers. The main bilge pump was mounted on one side
of the condenser box. Whenever the main engine operated, so
did this pump. On the other side could be found a feed pump.
By opening or closing valves in the waste steam lines, crew
could direct the collected water where needed. The feed pump
was also used to refill the boilers as necessary with river-
or seawater.
Two large blowers mounted in the overhead on the port and
starboard sides drew fresh air in from the outside and forced
it throughout the ship. The blowers were also a necessity for
the efficient operation of the main engine. Before the
Monitor underwent a refit in October 1862, it had no
permanent smokestack to provide draft for the boilers.
Aft of the engine, between the rock shafts, the deck was open.
This area allowed the crew access to the stuffing box, through
which the propeller shaft exited the hull.