Monday, April 6, 2015

Confederate Torpedoes on the James River

APRIL 6TH, 1865:  Lt.Cmdr. Ramsay indicated the extent of the Confederate underwater defenses of the James River as he reported to Rear Admiral Porter on an expedition aimed at clearing out the torpedoes"  "All galvanic batteries were carried off and destroyed.  At Chaffin's Bluff there was a torpedo containing 1,700 pounds of powder.

"At Battery Semmes there were two, containing 850 pounds each, and at Howlett's one containing 1,400 pounds.  I cut the wires of them all close down, so that they are now perfectly harmless."

Woe to the Ship Encountering Them When They Were Armed.  --Old B-Runner

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