Battle of Wassaw Sound

The Battle of Wassaw Sound (or the Capture of CSS ''Atlanta'') was an American Civil War naval battle between the Confederate ram CSS ''Atlanta'' and the ironclad monitors and and the gunboat USS ''Cimmerone'' (later named ''Cimmaron''), which took place on 17 June 1863 in Wassaw Sound, a bay in the present day state of Georgia. ''Atlanta'' ran aground while attempting to break the Union blockade, and after a short battle surrendered to the Union forces. Captain Rodgers became a national hero, and he was promoted to commodore and received the Thanks of Congress as a result of his decisive victory.

Background

On 10 June 1863, Rear Admiral Du Pont had received reports was about to descend the Wilmington River for a foray into Wassaw Sound and ordered monitors and and gunboat USS ''Cimmerone'' to enter Wassaw Sound to stop the Confederate ironclad ram's attack, should she make one, and to prevent her escape. Captain John Rodgers in ''Weehawken'' had overall command of the Union force.

Five days later, in the early evening of 15 June, ''Atlanta'' got underway and passed over the lower obstructions in the Wilmington River to get into position for a strike at the Union forces in Wassaw Sound. Webb dropped anchor at 8:00 p.m. and spent the remainder of the night coaling. The next evening ". . . about dark . . .," Webb later reported, he ". . . proceeded down the river to a point of land which would place me in 6 or 7 miles of the monitors, at the same time concealing the ship from their view, ready to move on them at early dawn the next morning."Luraghi, ''A History of the Confederate Navy'', 215

Battle

''Atlanta'', accompanied by wooden steamers and , got underway before daylight on 17 June. A percussion torpedo was fitted to a long spar projecting forward from the ram's bow which Webb intended to detonate against ''Weehawken''. During battle maneuvers ''Atlanta'' suddenly ran aground and swayed at an angle which made it difficult to shoot. ''Weehawken'' held fire until she was at and then pounded the immobile ship. ''Nahant'' had "drawn the fire" of ''Atlanta'' allowing ''Weehawken'' to draw within firing distance.

After receiving five of ''Weehawken''s shots, which knocked a hole in her casemate, crushed the pilot house and port shutter and severely wounded its pilots and several helmsmen, Webb was compelled to surrender immediately. The battle lasted only a few minutes, and ''Atlanta'' became the first Confederate ironclad to surrender to the Union. Meanwhile, the two boats escorting ''Atlanta'' sailed upriver for safety.

Aftermath

''Atlanta'' suffered the sole fatality of the battle, as well as 16 wounded. At the time of capture, 21 officers and 124 men, including marines were taken captive. ''Atlanta'' was condemned by a prize court in September 1863, repaired and commissioned as on 2 February 1864. Captain Rodgers became a national hero, and received the Thanks of Congress along with a promotion to commodore.

''Nahant'' was involved in the action but withheld fire, which later led to a Supreme Court case which determined the commander and crew of ''Nahant'' deserved participation in the prize for the captured vessel.

References

Bibliography

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Wassaw Sound
Battles of the Lower Seaboard Theater and Gulf Approach of the American Civil War
Chatham County, Georgia
Union victories of the American Civil War
Naval battles of the American Civil War
Battles of the American Civil War in Georgia (U.S. state)
1863 in Georgia (U.S. state)
Maritime incidents in June 1863
Conflicts in 1863
June 1863 events