<prompt> Bhala okuqhubekayo kwalesi sigaba - Ngo-1861, u-Irwin wabhalisela inkonzo emkhunjini we-screw frigate. Impi Yombango YaseMelika yaqala ngo-April 1861, futhi u-Irwin wabona isenzo esikhulu ngokumelene namabutho ase-Confederate ayesebhodini i-Wabash. Phakathi nohambo luka-Irwin, i-Wabash yabamba iqhaza ekuthatheni iFort Hatteras neClark  <response>: e-Hatteras Inlet, eNyakatho Carolina, ngo-29 Agasti 1861, ngaphambi kokuba abe ngumkhumbi omkhulu weSouth Atlantic Blockading Squadron, elinye lamabutho abambe iqhaza ekuvinjelweni kwe-Union emachwebeni e-Confederate. Wabash wabe esehlanganyela ekuthatheni iFort Walker, iFort Beauregard, nePort Royal Sound, eNingizimu Carolina, eMpini yasePort Royal ngoNovemba 7, 1861. Kamuva u-Irwin waba ngumkhuzi wesikebhe i-howitzers Wabash efakwe ogwini ngesikhathi seMpi yasePort Royal Ferry, eSouth Carolina, ngoJanuwari 1, 1862, futhi wayesemkhunjini Wabash eMpini yaseFort Pulaski eCockspur Island, eGeorgia, ngo-10 kuya ku-11 Ephreli 1862. Wakhushulwa waba ngu-lieutenant commander ngo-16 Julayi 1862. 