The Placer herald., 1864-07-09
A New Feature in Rebel Warfare,

REBEL Torpedo NEssEL-The most per
sistent experimenters with Internal machines
are the rebels, and in few instances they
have been amply rewarded for their perse-
verance. The last act performed bv them
has been the total destruction of the steam
sIoop of war Housatonc, ofthirteen guns
This vessel was threatened with destruction
lew weeks since, aud in all probability would
have been sunk at that time, but from the
fact that the torpedo vessel filled with water
and sunk before reaching her object. On
the night of the l8lh Of May, at about 9
o'clock, when at least one-half the crew were
IN their beds, the submarine devil came
down through Breach Inlet, and approach
ing the Housatonic, was discov cred The
masters mate on the look out discovered
her, and Immediately alarmed the ships
company, who endeavored to fire Gun, but
owing to some mshap it would not 90 off,
The rebel quietly propelled himself along
until be reached the talboard side and under
the quarter, when he exploded his shell,
sbvering that portion of the vessel into ten
thousand fragments. The Housatonc sank
IN about five minutes, AMI five lives were lost
two OF them being officers. 1t is rumor.
ed that her commander, Captain Pickering,
is so severely wounded that he cannot re
cover.
The Housatonc is second class screw
sloop and was built in Boston shortly after
the rebellion broke out, and was considered
one of the finest vessels in tie Navy of her
class. Although great misfortune to US, it
must prove OF great value to us, as it clearly
demonstrates the necessity Of our naval au-
thorlties taking immediate action in refer.
ence to this method Of naval warfare. We
are now planning to protect that portion OF
our vessels which are supposed to be affected
by shot above the water line, while these
very rebels are proving to us that the bot
tom Of a vesse is the most vulnerable part
Of her; aud consequently they will do their
utmost to strike us where we are weakest
Scientific men in this country and 10 Europe,
have been and are now doing much to de-
velop this new art in naval warfare. In our
own country, we have one of the ablest en-
gineers in the naval service who is at work
with one of the most effective torpedo yes.
sells vet devised; we refer to Chief Engineer
W, w. Wood, United States Navy. His
plans have been submitted to a competent
Board of skiIlful naval officers, who pro.
nounce in its favor in the highest terms: and
we venture to prophesy that the day is not
far distant when the ronlclads as well as the
wooden vessels must give way to the torpedo
vessel.
The manner in which this rebel torpedo YES
sci has dispose of the iIousatonic. leaves no
doubt of the efficiency Of that class of vessels.
Men who a few weeks AGO, pointed to the
failure of this torpedo vessel to blow up the
New [ronsides, and who, still later, secuted
at the idea of the rebels ever attempting to
try the destruction Of the Housatonic again.
are compelled now to own up that there is
more in this style of naval warfare than they
ever credited to it, The loss of the Housa.
tonic will do more to hasten the day when
sub marine vessels will be borne on the re
cords of the Navy Department, than any,
thing which has happened in the last quar-.
ter Of a century. It's teachings are of vast
Importance, and Europe will not be back
ward in taking the hint, and renewing her
experiments in this quarter 1t is generally
conceded in progressive circles that sub ma
rine warfare, both in vessels and in works To-
Gated in harbors, will soon be as common
theme as any subject we discuss at the pres
ent day Some Of the first men in our
army and navy are deeply interested in the
subject and are working for its Adoption
This affair has created a profound sensation
among scientific circles, in this city, and will
create an Impression throughout the naval
circles Of the world only equalled by the
fight between the Merrimac and Monitor
". Y. Sunday Nercuy.