From Civil War Naval Chronology.
Rear Admiral Du Pont and his nine ironclads engage the Confederate fortifications in Charleston Harbor. Because of tide considerations, the ships didn't get underway until noon with the Weehawken in front pushing a raft to clear torpedoes. It was nearly 3:00 when they came within range of Fort Moultrie and Sumter.
The Weehawken opened fire of Sumter first, followed by the other monitors. The Confederates had not only obstructed the channels, but had also marked them with range indicators for their gunners which greatly increased their accuracy.
A torpedo exploded near the Weehawken and "lifted the vessel a little." Essentially undamaged, the Weehawken continued until it encountered the strong line of obstructions between Moultrie and Sumter. The commander of the Weehawken didn't want to get entangled in them and swung his bow seaward to prevent being swept up against them.
In forty minutes, the Weehawken had been struck 53 times and was taking water in through a shot hole in its deck.
Heating Up. --Old B-Runner
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