The Union lost the sloop of war, USS Cumberland, and the frigate, USS Congress. The USS Minnesota took some damage, but not enough to sink. The casualties of the Union was 261 soldiers killed and 108 wounded. The Confederates had 78 soldiers killed and 17 wounded. The CSS Virginia had 2 guns disabled, cracked armor, a few armor plates broken, and her smoke stack riddled with holes from Union shells. The battle was a strategic victory for the Union because its blockade held its position. The battle was a tactical victory for the Confederacy because they destroyed 2 wooden ships and caused the Union to suffer heavier casualties. The battle caused future naval battles to change the way ships fought and what ships were made of.