Who was involved in ironclad ships?

Ironclad ships were primarily developed and used during the American Civil War, with notable examples including the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia. Key figures involved in their development included naval engineers like John Ericsson, who designed the Monitor, and Franklin Buchanan, who commanded the Virginia. These ships marked a significant advancement in naval warfare, transitioning from wooden ships to armored vessels. Their use influenced naval design and tactics for years to come.