July 24, 1863: Porter Orders Torpedo Precautions

JULY 24TH, 1863:  Rear Admiral Porter directed that all ships of his Mississippi Squadron be provided with an apparatus to destroy torpedoes while on expeditions up narrow rivers.  Since a torpedo exploding with 100 pounds of powder would not injure a ship 10 feet away, Porter proposed:  "that each vessel be provided with a rake projecting 20 to 30 feet beyond the bow....

"The rake will be provided with iron teeth (spikes will do) to catch the torpedo or break the wires."  The serious threat of the Confederate torpedoes, even in waters dominated by the Union, could never be ignored by naval commanders and dictated persistent caution.

--Old B-Runner

Naval Happenings150 Years Ago: July 24, 1863

JULY 24TH

Rear Admiral Porter directed that all his ships in the Mississippi Squadron be provided with an apparatus to destroy torpedoes while on expeditions up narrow rivers.  Since a 100-pound torpedo exploding ten feet from a ship won't cause any damage, he wanted a rake some 20-30 feet beyond the bow, "The rake will be provided with iron teeth (spikes will do) to catch the torpedo or break the wire."

The torpedo threat was real.

The USS Iroquois captured the blockade-runner Merrimac off the NC coast with cargo of cotton, turpentine and tobacco (outbound).

The USS Arago captured steamer Emma off Wilmington with the same cargo as the Merrimac.

Bad Day for Wilmington.  --Old B-R'er