A SYNOPSIS OF THE PRINCIPAL EVENTS THAT HAVE OCCURRED IN CONNECTION WITH THE HISTORY OF THE TORPEDO.
Date.Operator, &c.Event.Place.Remarks.1585.Italian Engineer, Zambelli.Attack on a bridge formed over the Scheldt.Antwerp.Bridge completely destroyed. Vessels, each carrying a heavily charged magazine, fired by clockwork, were carried by the stream against the bridge.1775.Captain D. Bushnell.Numerous small experiments with gunpowder charges.America.By which he proved that a charge of gunpowder could be fired under water.1776."Attack on the English frigate H.M.S.Eagleby his submarine torpedo boat.New York.Boat managed by Sergeant E. Lee. Attack failed, owing to his inexperience in manipulating this novel kind of craft.1777."Attack on the English man-of-war H.M.S.Cerberusby his drifting torpedoes.New London.Drifting torpedoes employed. Crew of a prize schooner astern of theCerberushauled one of the torpedoes on board, which exploded, killing 3 men and destroying a boat.1777."Attack on English ships by numerous floating torpedoes. Known by the name of "Battle of Kegs.""This failed, owing to the ships having previously hauled into dock to avoid the ice, but it created a great amount of confusion and alarm among the crews of the vessels.1797.R. Fulton.Experiments with torpedoes on the Seine.France.These first attempts were generally failures.July 3, 1801."Experiments with his submarine boat named theNautilus.Brest, France.These experiments were successful in so far as proving that with such a boat he could descend to any given depth and reascend to the surface at will, and that he could remain below for a considerable time.August 1801."Attempted to sink a small vessel by means of one of his torpedoes."Completely successful. This is the first vessel known to be destroyed by means ofa torpedo. Charge of submarine mine 20 lbs. gunpowder.1801."Attempted to destroy one of the English channel fleet by means of his drifting torpedoes.Off Boulogne, France.Owing to the ship altering her position at the moment of setting the torpedo adrift, this attack failed.Oct. 3, 1804."Catamarran expedition under Lord Keith to destroy the French fleet.Boulogne, France.Failed, owing to a mistake in the constructionof the torpedoes. The mines exploded, but did no damage to the French ships.Oct. 1805."Similar expedition."Similar failure, owing to causes above mentioned.Oct. 15, 1805."Attempted to destroy a brigDorotheawith his drifting torpedoes.Dover, England.The brig was completely demolished. Two torpedoes employed, each charged with 180 lbs. gunpowder and fired by clockwork.July 20, 1807."Experiment on a large hulk brig.New York, America.Finally successful, several attempts being necessary, owing to faulty construction.Oct. 1810."Attack on the U.S. sloopArgusfor finally testing the efficacy of his torpedo schemes.New York.Failed, owing to the very ingenious though elaborate defence of the vessel, carried out under the directions of Commodore Rodgers.1812.Mr. Mix.Attack on the English frigate H.M.S.Plantagenetwith his drifting torpedoes.Lynn, Haven Bay, America.Complete failure, though six different attempts were made.June 15, 1813."Attack on H.M.S.Ramiliesby blowing up a schooner alongside.New York.An utter failure.1820.Captain Johnson.Experiment with a submarine boat carrying a torpedo on its back.Moulsford, Berks, England.Idea was to fasten the torpedo by means of screws to the bottom of the hostile vessel. Trial proved successful, but the English government refused to sanction the project as being too diabolical.July 4, 1829.Colonel Samuel Colt.Experiment on a raft with his submarine battery.Ware Pond, America.Successful.1839.General Paisley, R.E.Destruction of the wreck of theRoyal Georgeby submarine mines.Portsmouth, England.He is stated to have employed galvanic firing to explode the mines.1840.Captain Warner.Experiment on theJohn O'Gaunt.England.Successful. Details not known.June 4, 1842.Colonel S. Colt.Experiment to explode a submarine mine by electricity.New York.Successful. The operator was at a great distance from the torpedo.July 4, 1842."Experiment on the U.S. gunboatBoxerwith electric submarine mines.Castle Garden, New York.Successful. The operator was on board U.S. man-of-war at some distance from the place where the explosion occurred.Aug. 20, 1842.Colonel S. Colt.Similar experiment on a schooner.Potomac River, America.Successful, the operator being stationed at a distance of 5 miles from where the mine was placed.Oct. 18, 1842."Similar experiment on the brigVolta, 300 tons.New York.Successful. The operator being on board the revenue cutterEwing, at a considerable distance from the scene of the explosion.April 13, 1843."Experiment to destroy a vessel of 500 tonsunder weighby electric submarine mines.Potomac River, America.Successful. The vessel was, at the time of the explosion, sailing at the rate of 5 knots per hour, and to prevent the possibility of any collusion between the operator and crew, they left the ship a few moments before the catastrophe. Operator 5 miles distant. Probably several mines were placed in the form of a circle.July, 1844.Captain Warner.Experiment with his invisible shell, on a barque of 450 tons.Brighton, England.The vessel completely destroyed.Jan. 1, 1845.Colonel S. Colt.Experiment with an electric submarine mine.New York.Successful. The operator being at a distance of 40 miles from where the explosion took place.1846.Professor Schonbein.Discovered the explosive agent "gun-cotton."..Brought into use for military purposes about 1863, by Professor Abel.1846.Sobrero.Discovered the explosive agent nitro-glycerine...Brought into use about 1863, for blasting purposes by M. Alfred Nobel, a Swede.1854.Russians.Attempted destruction of the English men-of-warMerlinandFirefly, by stationary submarine mines.Cronstadt.Several torpedoes were exploded near these ships, but with no other results than a wetting to some of their men.Feb. 18, 1862.Confederates.Federal gunboats attempting to force the Savannah river.America.Considerably delayed, caused by the submarine mines, but no actual damage done. This was their first appearance in a practical form during the civil war.Dec. 13, 1862."Destruction of the Federal ironcladCairo, by stationary torpedoes.Yazoo River, America.Two torpedoes exploded under her; vessel much shattered, and sunk in 12 minutes. First vessel destroyed in this war.Feb. 28, 1863."The Federal monitorMontauk, severely damaged by a submarine mine.Ogeechee River, Georgia.She was saved from sinking by being run on the mud, thus enabling the hole to be temporarily closed, and the vessel taken to Port Royal.July 22, 1863."The Federal ironclad gunboatBaron de Kalb, sunk by a submarine mine.Yazoo River.The vessel went down in 15 minutes. As she was sinking a second torpedo exploded under her stern. No lives were lost.Aug. 8, 1863."The Federal gunboatCommodore Barneyseverely damaged.James River.The ship was, at the time of the explosion, steaming 9 knots, and ran into it, losing 20 men, and being some what severely damaged. It was an electric submarine mine charged with 1750 lbs. gunpowder.Oct. 5, 1863."Boat torpedo attack on the Federal shipIronsides.Charleston.Failed. It was made by a boat armed with a spar torpedo with 60 lbs. gunpowder.1863."Confederate steamersMarionandEttiwadestroyed by their own mines."Owing to the shifting of the position of barrel torpedoes.1863."Confederate flag of truce boatShultz.James River.The same cause.Feb. 17, 1864."Boat torpedo attack on the Federal frigateHousatonic.Charleston.Successful, the ship being sunk. A submarine boat was employed on this occasion, and owing to her running into the hole made by her torpedo, went down with the ship.March 6, 1864."Boat torpedo attack on the Federal shipMemphis.North Edisto River, South Carolina.Failed, owing to the torpedo spar being broken by the vessel's screw.April 1, 1864."Destruction of the Federal transportMaple Leaf.St. John's River, Florida.This was effected by a floating torpedo.April 9, 1864."Boat torpedo attack on the Federal shipMinnesota.James River.The ship was severely damaged, but not sunk. Spar torpedo, charge 53 lbs. gunpowder.April 19, 1864."Boat torpedo attack on the Federal frigateWabash.Charleston.Failed, owing to the boat being discovered.May 6, 1864."Loss of theCommodore Jones.James River.Completely demolished by an electric torpedo, 1750 lbs. gunpowder. This part of the river having been carefully dragged.Aug. 5, 1864.Confederates.Loss of the Federal monitorTecumseh.Mobile Bay.This occurred during the Federal attack onthe defences of Mobile Bay, the ship disappearing almost instantaneously. The captain and 70 of the crew were killed.Oct. 27, 1864.Federals.Boat torpedo attack on the Confederate ironcladAlbemarle.Near Plymouth, America.The only Federal torpedo success during the war. The boat was armed with the Wood and Lay disconnecting spar torpedo. The ship was sunk.Dec. 9, 1864.Confederates.Loss of the Federal steamersOtsegoandBazeby.Roanoke River.The latter vessel was proceeding to the assistance of the former. Both were totally destroyed.1864.M. A. Nobel.Introduction of dynamite...A modified form of the explosive nitro-glycerine.1864.Captain Lupuis and Mr. Whitehead.First series of experiments with the fish torpedo.Fiume, Austria.The idea of such a weapon previously known, but not acted on.Jan. 15, 1865.Confederates.Loss of the Federal monitorPatapsco.Charleston.Completely destroyed by a barrel torpedo, sinking in a few minutes. Sixty-two officers and men drowned.March 1, 1865."Loss of the Federal steamerHarvest Moon.Near Georgetown.The place where this catastrophe occurred had been previously swept for torpedoes.March 30 to April 19, 1865."Loss of two Federal monitors, and three gunboats.Mobile Bay.These losses occurred in the final attack on Mobile, at the close of the war.Sept. 2, 1866.Paraguayans.Loss of the Brazilian war steamerRio Janeiro.Currupaity, Paraguay.Completely destroyed by a stationary torpedo at the bombardment of Currupaity by the Brazilian fleet.1874.England.Adoption of the electric light in the Navy.May 29, 1877.English.Torpedo attack by H.M.S.Shahon the Peruvian ironcladHuascar...This is the first Whitehead fish torpedo ever fired against an hostile ship. It failed, owing to theHuascarbeing at too great a distance.May 12, 1877.Russians.Russian torpedo boat attack on several Turkish ships.Batoum.Failed. A Turkish ship was struck by a towing torpedo, but it failed to explode.May 26, 1877."Russian torpedo boat attack on the Turkish shipsFettu Islam,Duba Saife, andKilidj Ali.Matchines, River Danube.Successful. A Turkish monitor,Duba Saife, was sunk.June 9, 1877."Russian torpedo boat attack on the Turkish ironcladsFeteh Bulend,Moocardemikhair, andIdglalieh.Sulina, mouth of the Danube.Failed. The Russian torpedo boat No. 1 was sunk, and her commander, Lieutenant Poutschin, with his crew, taken prisoner. The attack was made by six boats.June 20, 1877."Turkish monitor attacked by the Russian spar torpedo boatChoutka.Rutschuk, on the Danube.Failed. The officer in command of the boat being severely wounded, and the torpedowires cut. This attack was made in the daytime.June 23, 1877."Two Russian torpedo boats attacked a Turkish monitor.Mouth of the Aluta, Danube.Failed, owing to the spirited defence on the part of the Turks. Another day affair.Aug. 22, 1877."The Turkish ironcladAssari Shefketattacked by four Russian torpedo boats.Soukoum Kaleh.Failed. The captain of theAssari Shefkethad placed guard boats in advance of hisship, by which he was warned of the approach of the torpedo boats, and so enabled to foil the attack by a well-directed, hot fire.Oct. 10, 1877."Loss of Turkish gunboatSunaat the Russian attack on Sulina.Sulina.The gunboat was sunk by striking an electro-contact mine, placed by the Russians about 3/4 mile above the Turkish defences. About fifteen officers and men killed and wounded.Dec. 27, 1877."Turkish squadron attacked by four Russian torpedo boats, two being armed with the Whitehead fish torpedo.Batoum.Failed. The Russians fired two Whitehead fish torpedoes (the first attack of this nature during the war), both of which were picked up by the Turks.Jan. 25, 1878."Attack on Turkish ships by two Russian torpedo boats, armed with the Whitehead fish torpedo.Batoum.Successful. A Turkish revenue steamer on guard being sunk. Final torpedo attack made in the Russo-Turkish war (1877-78).
Attack on a bridge formed over the Scheldt.
Bridge completely destroyed. Vessels, each carrying a heavily charged magazine, fired by clockwork, were carried by the stream against the bridge.
Numerous small experiments with gunpowder charges.
By which he proved that a charge of gunpowder could be fired under water.
Attack on the English frigate H.M.S.Eagleby his submarine torpedo boat.
Boat managed by Sergeant E. Lee. Attack failed, owing to his inexperience in manipulating this novel kind of craft.
Attack on the English man-of-war H.M.S.Cerberusby his drifting torpedoes.
Drifting torpedoes employed. Crew of a prize schooner astern of theCerberushauled one of the torpedoes on board, which exploded, killing 3 men and destroying a boat.
Attack on English ships by numerous floating torpedoes. Known by the name of "Battle of Kegs."
This failed, owing to the ships having previously hauled into dock to avoid the ice, but it created a great amount of confusion and alarm among the crews of the vessels.
Experiments with torpedoes on the Seine.
These first attempts were generally failures.
Experiments with his submarine boat named theNautilus.
These experiments were successful in so far as proving that with such a boat he could descend to any given depth and reascend to the surface at will, and that he could remain below for a considerable time.
Attempted to sink a small vessel by means of one of his torpedoes.
Completely successful. This is the first vessel known to be destroyed by means ofa torpedo. Charge of submarine mine 20 lbs. gunpowder.
Attempted to destroy one of the English channel fleet by means of his drifting torpedoes.
Owing to the ship altering her position at the moment of setting the torpedo adrift, this attack failed.
Catamarran expedition under Lord Keith to destroy the French fleet.
Failed, owing to a mistake in the constructionof the torpedoes. The mines exploded, but did no damage to the French ships.
Similar expedition.
Similar failure, owing to causes above mentioned.
Attempted to destroy a brigDorotheawith his drifting torpedoes.
The brig was completely demolished. Two torpedoes employed, each charged with 180 lbs. gunpowder and fired by clockwork.
Experiment on a large hulk brig.
Finally successful, several attempts being necessary, owing to faulty construction.
Attack on the U.S. sloopArgusfor finally testing the efficacy of his torpedo schemes.
Failed, owing to the very ingenious though elaborate defence of the vessel, carried out under the directions of Commodore Rodgers.
Attack on the English frigate H.M.S.Plantagenetwith his drifting torpedoes.
Complete failure, though six different attempts were made.
Attack on H.M.S.Ramiliesby blowing up a schooner alongside.
An utter failure.
Experiment with a submarine boat carrying a torpedo on its back.
Idea was to fasten the torpedo by means of screws to the bottom of the hostile vessel. Trial proved successful, but the English government refused to sanction the project as being too diabolical.
Experiment on a raft with his submarine battery.
Successful.
Destruction of the wreck of theRoyal Georgeby submarine mines.
He is stated to have employed galvanic firing to explode the mines.
Experiment on theJohn O'Gaunt.
Successful. Details not known.
Experiment to explode a submarine mine by electricity.
Successful. The operator was at a great distance from the torpedo.
Experiment on the U.S. gunboatBoxerwith electric submarine mines.
Successful. The operator was on board U.S. man-of-war at some distance from the place where the explosion occurred.
Similar experiment on a schooner.
Successful, the operator being stationed at a distance of 5 miles from where the mine was placed.
Similar experiment on the brigVolta, 300 tons.
Successful. The operator being on board the revenue cutterEwing, at a considerable distance from the scene of the explosion.
Experiment to destroy a vessel of 500 tonsunder weighby electric submarine mines.
Successful. The vessel was, at the time of the explosion, sailing at the rate of 5 knots per hour, and to prevent the possibility of any collusion between the operator and crew, they left the ship a few moments before the catastrophe. Operator 5 miles distant. Probably several mines were placed in the form of a circle.
Experiment with his invisible shell, on a barque of 450 tons.
The vessel completely destroyed.
Experiment with an electric submarine mine.
Successful. The operator being at a distance of 40 miles from where the explosion took place.
Discovered the explosive agent "gun-cotton."
Brought into use for military purposes about 1863, by Professor Abel.
Discovered the explosive agent nitro-glycerine.
Brought into use about 1863, for blasting purposes by M. Alfred Nobel, a Swede.
Attempted destruction of the English men-of-warMerlinandFirefly, by stationary submarine mines.
Several torpedoes were exploded near these ships, but with no other results than a wetting to some of their men.
Federal gunboats attempting to force the Savannah river.
Considerably delayed, caused by the submarine mines, but no actual damage done. This was their first appearance in a practical form during the civil war.
Destruction of the Federal ironcladCairo, by stationary torpedoes.
Two torpedoes exploded under her; vessel much shattered, and sunk in 12 minutes. First vessel destroyed in this war.
The Federal monitorMontauk, severely damaged by a submarine mine.
She was saved from sinking by being run on the mud, thus enabling the hole to be temporarily closed, and the vessel taken to Port Royal.
The Federal ironclad gunboatBaron de Kalb, sunk by a submarine mine.
The vessel went down in 15 minutes. As she was sinking a second torpedo exploded under her stern. No lives were lost.
The Federal gunboatCommodore Barneyseverely damaged.
The ship was, at the time of the explosion, steaming 9 knots, and ran into it, losing 20 men, and being some what severely damaged. It was an electric submarine mine charged with 1750 lbs. gunpowder.
Boat torpedo attack on the Federal shipIronsides.
Failed. It was made by a boat armed with a spar torpedo with 60 lbs. gunpowder.
Confederate steamersMarionandEttiwadestroyed by their own mines.
Owing to the shifting of the position of barrel torpedoes.
Confederate flag of truce boatShultz.
The same cause.
Boat torpedo attack on the Federal frigateHousatonic.
Successful, the ship being sunk. A submarine boat was employed on this occasion, and owing to her running into the hole made by her torpedo, went down with the ship.
Boat torpedo attack on the Federal shipMemphis.
Failed, owing to the torpedo spar being broken by the vessel's screw.
Destruction of the Federal transportMaple Leaf.
This was effected by a floating torpedo.
Boat torpedo attack on the Federal shipMinnesota.
The ship was severely damaged, but not sunk. Spar torpedo, charge 53 lbs. gunpowder.
Boat torpedo attack on the Federal frigateWabash.
Failed, owing to the boat being discovered.
Loss of theCommodore Jones.
Completely demolished by an electric torpedo, 1750 lbs. gunpowder. This part of the river having been carefully dragged.
Loss of the Federal monitorTecumseh.
This occurred during the Federal attack onthe defences of Mobile Bay, the ship disappearing almost instantaneously. The captain and 70 of the crew were killed.
Boat torpedo attack on the Confederate ironcladAlbemarle.
The only Federal torpedo success during the war. The boat was armed with the Wood and Lay disconnecting spar torpedo. The ship was sunk.
Loss of the Federal steamersOtsegoandBazeby.
The latter vessel was proceeding to the assistance of the former. Both were totally destroyed.
Introduction of dynamite.
A modified form of the explosive nitro-glycerine.
First series of experiments with the fish torpedo.
The idea of such a weapon previously known, but not acted on.
Loss of the Federal monitorPatapsco.
Completely destroyed by a barrel torpedo, sinking in a few minutes. Sixty-two officers and men drowned.
Loss of the Federal steamerHarvest Moon.
The place where this catastrophe occurred had been previously swept for torpedoes.
Loss of two Federal monitors, and three gunboats.
These losses occurred in the final attack on Mobile, at the close of the war.
Loss of the Brazilian war steamerRio Janeiro.
Completely destroyed by a stationary torpedo at the bombardment of Currupaity by the Brazilian fleet.
Adoption of the electric light in the Navy.
Torpedo attack by H.M.S.Shahon the Peruvian ironcladHuascar.
This is the first Whitehead fish torpedo ever fired against an hostile ship. It failed, owing to theHuascarbeing at too great a distance.
Russian torpedo boat attack on several Turkish ships.
Failed. A Turkish ship was struck by a towing torpedo, but it failed to explode.
Russian torpedo boat attack on the Turkish shipsFettu Islam,Duba Saife, andKilidj Ali.
Successful. A Turkish monitor,Duba Saife, was sunk.
Russian torpedo boat attack on the Turkish ironcladsFeteh Bulend,Moocardemikhair, andIdglalieh.
Failed. The Russian torpedo boat No. 1 was sunk, and her commander, Lieutenant Poutschin, with his crew, taken prisoner. The attack was made by six boats.
Turkish monitor attacked by the Russian spar torpedo boatChoutka.
Failed. The officer in command of the boat being severely wounded, and the torpedowires cut. This attack was made in the daytime.
Two Russian torpedo boats attacked a Turkish monitor.
Failed, owing to the spirited defence on the part of the Turks. Another day affair.
The Turkish ironcladAssari Shefketattacked by four Russian torpedo boats.
Failed. The captain of theAssari Shefkethad placed guard boats in advance of hisship, by which he was warned of the approach of the torpedo boats, and so enabled to foil the attack by a well-directed, hot fire.
Loss of Turkish gunboatSunaat the Russian attack on Sulina.
The gunboat was sunk by striking an electro-contact mine, placed by the Russians about 3/4 mile above the Turkish defences. About fifteen officers and men killed and wounded.
Turkish squadron attacked by four Russian torpedo boats, two being armed with the Whitehead fish torpedo.
Failed. The Russians fired two Whitehead fish torpedoes (the first attack of this nature during the war), both of which were picked up by the Turks.
Attack on Turkish ships by two Russian torpedo boats, armed with the Whitehead fish torpedo.
Successful. A Turkish revenue steamer on guard being sunk. Final torpedo attack made in the Russo-Turkish war (1877-78).
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