USS Weehawken-- Part 3: The Battle With the CSS Atlanta

On 7 April 1863, the Weehawken led the Union fleet in the first major assault on Confederate fortifications protecting Charleston, S.C..  The attack failed miserably and the fleet withdrew after just 40 minutes.  During that short action, the Weehawken took 59 hits and had a torpedo (mine) explode under her keel without suffering serious damage.

After repairs, she went to Wassaw Sound, Georgia, on 10 June to block the expected sortie of the Confederate ironclad CSS Atlanta.  The Confederate ram and two escort steamers appeared early on the morning of 17 June.

The Weehawken and monitor USS Nahant weighed anchor to meet the Atlanta.  But the Confederate ship ran hard aground only moments after entering the sound.  The Weehawken opened fire at 05:15 and fifteen minutes later the battle was over.  The Atlanta had surrendered.

--Old B-Runner