Torpedo Boat Torch Attacks USS New Ironsides-- Part 2

While alongside the Union ship, James Carlin was unable to start his engines the engines for some minutes, but the daring Confederate kept up a  cool conversation with the officer of the deck of the USS New Ironsides, who finally became alarmed but was unable to depress any of the cannons sufficiently to fire at the little craft.

At this moment, the torpedo boat's engines started, and Carlin quickly made his way back to Charleston, two shots from the New Ironsides falling 20 feet to either side of him.

General Beauregard, seeking to lift the blockade and the continuing bombardment at Forts Wagner and Sumter, wrote Carlin:  "I feel convinced that another trial under more favorable circumstances will surely meet with success, notwithstanding the known defects of the vessel."

--Old B-Runner