The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.

Friday, November 5, 2010

The Battle of Wassaw Sound-- Part 1

From Wikipedia.

The battle between the Confederate ironclad Atlanta and the two Union monitors Weehawken and Nahant.

Both monitors were of the Passaic-class.

On June 10, 1863, South Atlantic Blockading Squadron commander, Rear Admiral DuPont received word that the CSS Atlanta was getting ready to descend he Wilmington River to strike Union blockaders at Wassau Sound, Georgia.

Captain John Rodgers of the Weehawken was put in overall command of vessels at that place.

On June 15th, the Atlanta got underway, passing obstructions on the Wilmington River and coaling that night.

The Atlanta was accompanied by the CSS Isondiga and the CSS Resolute. They all got underway before daylight on the 17th. The Atlanta had also been fitted with a percussion torpedo at the end of a long spar to be used to explode under the Weehawken.

Unfortunately for the Atlanata, it ran aground and swayed to an angle that made it difficult to fire its guns.

More to Come. --Old B-Runner

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