tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360721195242669735.post715678528262290490..comments2023-12-04T14:35:49.198-05:00Comments on Civil War Navy Sesquicentennial: "There being every reason to expect a visit...": Dahlgren's countermeasures against torpedo-boatsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01520357948612296575noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360721195242669735.post-12763795571860978892014-02-15T11:28:50.922-05:002014-02-15T11:28:50.922-05:00That the Federal vessels outside the bar were appr...That the Federal vessels outside the bar were apprised of the operations of the Confederate torpedo boats is documented. See the OR of the Navies, Series I, vol. 15, page 241: Admiral Dahlgren sends an order to Captain Green of the USS Canandaigua, the vessel which would come to the assistance of the Housatonic a month later, when sunk by the H.L. Hunley.<br /><br /> "Sir: The Navy Department has received information that the rebels have a plan to blow up this fleet, and considers it of sufficient importance to inform me thereof.<br /><br /> I can hardly think that the design would extend beyond the ironclads that constitute the inner blockade, for the outer vessels are distant and difficult of access. <br /><br />Still, it would be unwise to omit any proper precautions, and I therefore advise that you will take such measures as may suffice to defeat any attempt of the kind.<br /><br /> I enclose for your information the directions prescribed to the ironclads. You can use these or whatever else may seem more adaptable to the purpose. <br /><br />Let this be circulated among the commanders of the vessels outside for their guidance."<br /><br />The vessels outside of the bar did, indeed, heed the warnings. The Housatonic was on high alert the night that the Hunley approached, and had Mr. Cornthwaite at the bow heeded the alarm of lookout Robert Flemming, may have had enough time to back away from the submarine. By the time the sub was independently sighted by officer Crosby, valuable time was lost before his orders were promptly obeyed. The general quarters rattle was sounded; the anchor chain was slipped through a contrivance to make it immediately unfastened, the boilers had a full head of steam per orders, and the large naval guns were loaded and ready to fire, Unfortunately for the Housatonic, the Hunley was by then too close to depress the guns sufficiently, and down went the Housatonic when the sub placed her torpedo. <br /><br />The outer blockade ships were ready, but the Hunley's stealth technology was superior to their preparations. Blue Light Guyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06626508120706281818noreply@blogger.com