The new South. [volume] (Port Royal, S.C.) 1862-1867, 1863-06-20
Jos. II. Sears, Editor and Proprietor.
PORT ROYAL, SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 1St

IA, ALIAS THE FIyGAL-We take great pleasure in
announcing this Week the capture, in Wassaw
Sound of the celebrated rebel ram Atlanta, better
known to many of our readers as the Fingal, con-
corning which the rebels have been a long time
boasting, and about which some of our people
have had considerable fears. The Fingal was an
English steamer, and was cat down, iron-clad and
converted into very formidable RAM by the rebels,
at Savannah, where scme two years were spent in
making of her q terror to the Federal fleets. She
was completed last winter, and has since shown
herself many times, in sight of Fort Pulaski, and
and elsewhere. Some Of her men had mania for
desertion, and frequent arrivals to our side, with
other sources of information, have kept us pretty
well posted as to her movements. Rear Admiral
Dupont h Is for long time had his eye on her, and
of late been weil informed about her. Some ten
or twelve days since, he despatched two of our
Monitors, the Weekawkea, Capt. John Rogers, and
the Nahast, Commander Downes, to Wassaw
Sound, to look out for her. They have been
cruising alb ut there since.
On Wednesday morning, the 18th, while the
Weehawkea was some distance up the Sound,
picket boat, which had been sent up farther, re-.
ported the .:tlanta TO be steaming down the Viii
piington river. Capt Rogers Immediately procee-
.ded down the river, to decoy the ram on, and to
get into deeper water, so he could maneuyre to
advantage. The .ailsnta came on, as if she feared
a prize were escaping her, and soon fred on the
Wsehapken. Whenshe had got within easy range,
Capt. Rogers himself sighted the Weeharksa's
Q5-inch gun, the shot from which struck the top
ofthe .diaaias pilot-house, smashing the iron and
wood work, and wounding both pilots severely
with the splinters. Four or FIVE other shots were
fred, and four in all, took effect. One l5-inch
shot struck her about half wav from her gunwale
to the top Of her i,on-pated house, completely
smashing through.hcr ironand woodwork, produ-
-cing large jagged hole, killing and wounding
10. The Atlanta fired six eight shots, but none
of them took effect. She finally run aground, and
surrendered, with l65 prisoners on board, all told.
The Nahant came up to participate in the fight,
but through Ro fault Of her own, did not arrive
until the Atlanta had surrendered When the
,Wsehsulen fired the shst which proved most fatal
to the atlanta, she was within 100 yards of her.
The atlanta was subsequently, towed off, where
she had grounded She steamed up here at the rate
If knots an )ur, with heavy sea on, and was
found to steer finely. The prisoners were brought
mp on the Island City, and were placed on the
Vermont. All except the wounded ones are are to
be sent north on the. james .adgsr which leaves
this morning The rebel officers are very much
depressed.
We'learn that the officers of the .9t'anta came
cut with the intention OF engaging and capturing
the Weehawkca. She Was followed dowa b. two
wooden gunboats illel with ladies sad other exc
cursionists, who were to witness the fight; it hav-
ing been arranged that one of the gnnboats should
tow the Weeha,rken up to Savannah then the
.4tlanta was to go to Ossabaw, capture a gunboat,
take some batteries entrap the 18th New York |
and leave force there to hold the batteries.
Next she was going to Charleston, and cooperate,
BY signal with some rebel boats in anpihilating
the blockade fleet, after which she was 10 pay her
respects to the Port Royal Squadron. This nice
little programme was very summarily changed.
The Fingaa had two months provision on board,
and ammunition OF the very best quality. She was
commanded by Capt Webb, formerly Of the U. 8. /