Ironclads Attack

On April 7, 1863, the Union Navy sent its new force of ironclad warships, eight monitors and the frigate New Ironsides, to attack Fort Sumter from the water directly in front of this position. As the Union fleet approached, Confederate fire poured onto the ironclads from Forts Moultrie and Sumter and from batteries on Morris Island and Sullivan's Island. Admiral Du Pont directed the attack from the flagship New Ironsides, but in the smoke and confusion the unwieldy ironclads collided, turrets jammed, and signals from the flagship were ineffective. After two hours the fleet retreated, having fired only 154 rounds while Confederates fired more than 2,200 shots and severely damaged five vessels. Keokuk was hit ninety times and sank the following day, and Confederates later recovered its guns and mounted one at Fort Sumter. Rear Admiral Samuel Du Pont decided not to renew the attack, saying, "We have met with a sad repulse. I shall not turn it into a great disaster."

South Carolina · United States