The following day brought her safely to Cape Antonio, which she rounded under sail and steam, and striking the trade-winds, hoisted up her propeller and stood away towards the west.
The afternoon of the 3rd July brought the Sumter her first prize.

At about 3 P.M.a sail was descried in shore, beating to windward, and steering a course that would bring her almost into contact with the Confederate vessel.

To avoid suspicion, no notice was taken of the stranger until the two vessels had approached within the distance of a little more than a mile from each other, when a display of English colours from the Confederate was answered by the stranger with the stars and stripes of the United States.

Down came the St.George's ensign from the Sumter's peak, to be replaced almost before it had touched the deck by the stars and bars, which at that time constituted the flag of the Confederate States.

A shot was fired across the bows of the astonished Yankee, who at once hove-to, and a boat was sent on board to take possession of the Sumter's first capture.
The prize proved to be the ship Golden Rocket, from the Yankee State of Maine--a fine ship of 690 tons burthen, only three years old, and worth from 30,000 to 40,000 dollars.