Naval infantry battalions armed only with machetes attacked Brazilian ironclads. The battle is chiefly significant in naval history as the first battle between ironclads. During the bombardment, all four of the Union ironclads were repeatedly hit by Confederate fire. Eads' vessels were the first United States ironclads to enter combat. The Confederate fire was able to hit the ironclads only where their armor was strongest. A number of ironclads have been preserved or reconstructed as museum ships. The "Monitor", together with seven other ironclads, was built at the Continental Ironworks in Greenpoint. After the Crimean War, Russia commenced construction of steam-powered ironclads, monitors, and floating batteries. Three older ironclads, , , and dated from the 1880s and early 1890s. The navy was further augmented with the acquisition of 20 ironclads and six fluvial monitors. The first use of ironclads in action came in the U.S. Civil War. Two small ironclads, and participated in the defence of the harbor. She was the name ship of the "Warrior"-class ironclads. Other works of fiction followed, including H.G. Wells's "The Land Ironclads". This was its first engagement using newly designed and hastily constructed ironclads.