What was the main purpose behind the design of the CSS Virginia by the Confederates?

The primary purpose of designing the CSS Virginia was to break the Union's blockade. In the early years of the Civil War, the Union implemented a naval blockade aimed at crippling the Confederate economy by preventing the export of cotton and the import of supplies. The CSS Virginia, originally the USS Merrimack, was transformed into an ironclad warship to challenge this blockade effectively. Its design aimed to provide the Confederacy with a formidable naval vessel that could withstand enemy fire while also being capable of engaging Union ships. The CSS Virginia’s successful attack on Union ships at the Battle of Hampton Roads exemplified its intended role to disrupt the blockade and demonstrate the effectiveness of ironclad technology in naval warfare during that period. This innovation was crucial for the Confederates, who needed to secure vital supplies and maintain their trade routes amidst intense naval opposition.