USS Atlanta (1861)

The USS Atlanta, originally the British-built ironclad blockade runner Fingal, was a warship of the Confederate States Navy during the American Civil War. Construction began in 1861 in Glasgow, Scotland, for the firm of James and Alexander Thomson. Intended for commercial service, its true purpose was to run the Union blockade of the Confederate coastline.

Upon arrival in Savannah, Georgia, in early 1862, the Fingal was purchased by the Confederacy and converted into an ironclad warship. The conversion process was lengthy and challenging due to material shortages and the limited industrial capacity of the Confederacy.

The Fingal was renamed Atlanta in late 1862. The conversion involved adding an iron casemate, which housed four Brooke rifled cannons – two 7-inch and two 6.4-inch guns. The ship's primary mission was to break the Union blockade and attack Union warships operating off the coast of Georgia.

The Atlanta's career was short-lived. On June 17, 1863, the Atlanta, under the command of Commander William A. Webb, attempted to attack Union blockading ships in Wassaw Sound, Georgia. It engaged the monitors USS Weehawken, commanded by Captain John Rodgers, and USS Nahant.

The Atlanta ran aground shortly after the engagement began. The Weehawken quickly disabled the Atlanta with several well-aimed shots, including two that penetrated the ironclad's casemate. Heavily damaged and unable to maneuver, the Atlanta was forced to surrender.

The USS Atlanta was then taken into Union service. It was repaired and served in the Union Navy as a monitor, primarily patrolling the James River. The ship was decommissioned in 1865 following the end of the Civil War and sold at auction in 1869.