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Description
The first Atlanta was a casemate southern ironclad, converted from a Scottish-built blockade runner serving in the Confederate Navy. Atlanta was built in Glasgow, Scotland by James and George Thompson at the Clyde Bank Iron Shipyard and was completed as the Fingal early in 1861. She briefly operated between Glasgow and other ports in Scotland for Hutcheson's West Highland Service.

However, in her new configuration as a fighting ship, Atlanta suffered from several serious shortcomings. Her new armor and ordnance increased her draft to almost 16 feet, making it difficult for her to operate in the inland waters approaching Savannah. Moreover, her modifications made her extremely slow to respond to her helm and reduced her speed from 13 to 10 knots. She also leaked significantly, and her armored roof all but eliminated circulation of air, turning her into a humid oven during hot weather.

Atlanta was fitted with two 6-inch and two 7-inch rifles, the 6-inch broadside, the 7-inch working on a pivot either as broadside or bow and stern guns. There was a large supply of ammunition for these guns and other stores.

She was later captured in battle and then served in the Union Navy for the duration of the Civil War. She was sold at auction at the Philadelphia Navy Yard to 4 May 1869. Haiti purchased Atlanta for $160,000 in gold, but while sailing to the country in December 1869, she sank off Cape Hatteras.

Description
The first Atlanta was a casemate southern ironclad, converted from a Scottish-built blockade runner serving in the Confederate Navy. Atlanta was built in Glasgow, Scotland by James and George Thompson at the Clyde Bank Iron Shipyard and was completed as the Fingal early in 1861. She briefly operated between Glasgow and other ports in Scotland for Hutcheson's West Highland Service.

However, in her new configuration as a fighting ship, Atlanta suffered from several serious shortcomings. Her new armor and ordnance increased her draft to almost 16 feet, making it difficult for her to operate in the inland waters approaching Savannah. Moreover, her modifications made her extremely slow to respond to her helm and reduced her speed from 13 to 10 knots. She also leaked significantly, and her armored roof all but eliminated circulation of air, turning her into a humid oven during hot weather.

Atlanta was fitted with two 6-inch and two 7-inch rifles, the 6-inch broadside, the 7-inch working on a pivot either as broadside or bow and stern guns. There was a large supply of ammunition for these guns and other stores.

She was later captured in battle and then served in the Union Navy for the duration of the Civil War. She was sold at auction at the Philadelphia Navy Yard to 4 May 1869. Haiti purchased Atlanta for $160,000 in gold, but while sailing to the country in December 1869, she sank off Cape Hatteras.