Wednesday, December 10, 2014

USS Narcissus Sunk by Torpedo in Mobile Bay

DECEMBER 7TH, 1864:  The USS Narcissus struck a Confederate torpedo in a heavy storm while lying off the city of Mobile.  Its commander, Acting Ensign William G. Jones, reported: "...the vessel struck a torpedo, which exploded, lifting her nearly out of the water and breaking out a large hole in the starboard side, amidships...causing the vessel to sink in about fifteen minutes."

The tug went down without loss of life and was raised later in the month.

Mobile Bay was in Union hands, but Southern torpedoes took a heavy toll on their ships.  And, Mobile was still in Confederate hands.

--Old B-Runner

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