February 20, 1864: A New Respect for Torpedoes After the Housatonic

FEBRUARY 20TH, 1864:   Rear Admiral Dahlgren, greatly concerned by the loss of the USS Housatonic, wrote in his dairy:  "The loss of the Housatonic troubles me very much....  Torpedoes have been laughed at; but this disaster ends that."

The day before he had written Secretary Welles urging that the Union develop and use torpedo boats to combat similar Confederate efforts.  Under the impression that the submarine H.L. Hunley had been another "David" torpedo boat, the Admiral suggested "a large reward of prize money for the capture or destruction of a 'David'.  I should say not less than $20,000 or $30,000 for each.  They are worth more than that to us."

Watching Out for Those Pesky Confederate Subs and Davids.  --Old B-Runner