JULY 18TH, 1864: Confederate Secretary of the Navy Mallory wrote Commander Bulloch in Liverpool, England, saying: "...we can operate effectually against the enemy's blockading fleets with torpedo boats... As these boats select their own time for operating and may thus secure a smooth sea, and as they must operate at night, and avoid being seen, it is important that they should be as low in the water as may be consistent with their safety.
"They are expected to carry from five to seven men, coal for twenty-four hours, and four torpedoes with their shifting poles, and to go at least 10 miles an hour with all on board... The torpedo is usually made of copper or iron boiler plate, contains from 40 to 100 pounds of powder and is prepared with three sensitive tubes which explode on impact...
"The torpedo boats are miniature swift steamers, and they must be strongly built and a slight as may be consistent with strength... I suppose these boats might be built and sent to us without interference by the authorities; but if not they might be built in sections and thus sent over.
"We are so destitute of mechanics, however, that they should be sent as complete as possible...."
Finding ways to battle overwhelming odds and still that pesky workmen problem.
--Old B-R'er
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