150 Years Ago: August 16th, 1863:Pawnee Bounce, Porter Thinking Mobile

AUGUST 16TH:

The USS Pawnee escaped undamaged when a floating Confederate torpedo (mine) exploded under her stern, destroying a launch, shortly after midnight at Stono Inlet, SC. Four hours later, another torpedo exploded within 30 yards of the ship.

In all, four devices exploded close by and two others were picked up by the mortar schooner C.P. Williams. The Pawnee also captured a boat capable of holding ten torpedoes. I would guess the crew didn't get much sleep that night.

Rear Admiral Porter writes Asst. Secretary of Navy Fox, regarding an attack on Mobile. He said the only way to capture the city would be a "perfect combination of Army and Navy...." Farragut would end up leading the attack, however.

In my War of 1812 research, I came across Farragut being on the USS Essex under the command of his step father, David Porter, father of Civil War's David Dixon Porter, who wrote the letter to Fox.

---Old B-Runner