March 6, 1864: Tomb's David Attacks USS Memphis in S.C.

All of these 155 Years Ago are from Civil War Naval Chronology.

MARCH 6, 1864:  A Confederate "David" torpedo boat commanded by First Assistant Engineer James Hamilton Tomb, CSN, attacked the USS Memphis, Acting Master Robert O. Patterson, in the North Edisto River near Charleston.

The "David" was spotted some 50 yards to port and a heavy volley of musket fire directed at her, but Tomb held his small craft on course.  The spar torpedo containing 95 pounds of powder was thrust squarely against the Memphis' port quarter, about eight feet below the waterline, but failed to explode.

Tomb turned away and renewed the attack on the starboard quarter.  Again, the torpedo struck home, but this time only a glancing blow because the Memphis was now underway.  The two vessels collided, damaging the "David", and Tomb withdrew under heavy fire.

The faulty torpedo had prevented the brave Tomb from adding an 800-ton iron steamer to a growing list of victims.

--Old B-Runner