Startling as was the encounter of the Merrimac and the Monitor, so short time ago, on the waters of Chesapeake Bay, yet more startling are the probable issues of that eventful encounter. Not only did that memorable fight bring to untimely and sudden end the gigantic fleets of great nations, utterly abolishing the boasted superiority which had made a few countries the naval dictators of the world; but it has opened new and pregnant intimations of the coming destinies, which it behooves all to heed and provide for.