Confederate "David" Attack at Charleston

MARCH 6TH, 1864:

A Confederate "David" torpedo boat commanded by First Assistant Engineer Tomb, CSN, attacked the USS Memphis in the North Edisto River near Charleston, SC.

The "David" was sighted 50 yards to port and a heavy roll of musket fire directed at it but the ship continued course. The spar torpedo, containing 95 pounds of gunpowder was thrust directly against the Memphis about eight feet below the water, but failed to explode.

The David backed off and tried again on the other side. Again, it struck home, but only a glancing blow as the Memphis was now underway.

The two vessels collided with damage to the David. The torpedo again didn't explode and the Memphis was certainly one lucky ship.

--Old B-R'er