The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-04-25
A SUBMARINE HOODOO.
The Disasters Which Attended n Pecu-
liar Torped o. Boat.


"Pil tell y0u q strange story concerning a
torpedo-boat that yon have surely never
heard-and, perhaps, not 10 people in The
land know of. said an ex-COnfederate.
The craft was constructed of boiler iron.
In the city Of Mobile. aud when completed
was 80 feet long and could carry crew Of
nine 9en, including its commander. Ii was
so constructed that it took eight men to
work the propeller and one TO steer and
regulate the movements Of the boat below
the surface Of the water.
1.-THE boat could be submerged at pleas
ure TO any desired depth or could be pro-
PEELED upon the surface. In smooth, still
water, as was ultimately demonst rated. its
movements could be exactly controlled, and
the speed was from four 10 Eve knots. 1t
was built by a man named Hunley, and
upon its completion the constructor gave
out that he would produce a sensation. Ii
was intended that when ready for action
the boat during daylight should ascertain
the position of some big Federal warship
AZ anchor, and in the dead of night follow
ing pass under the keel Of tho monster aud
dropping a floating torpedo which would
explode on striking the side or bottom Of
the vessel attacked. According 20 Mr.. Hun
ley, his engine OF destruction could remain
submerged more than half an hour without
danger or Inconvenience TO the crew.
WELL sir, The boat was sent TO Charles
ton by rail-, ana the day II arrived Lleuten-
ant Payne Of our navy and eight others
volunteered to attack the Federal feet.
They got of all right, and the boat behaved
very we'll until a swell from passing
steamer struck it, and it tipped over and
went to the bottom and all but Lieutenant
Payne were drowned. He was standing at
the open hatchway. or he would hive per-
ished with his brave companions.
But the concern was soon raised and
again made ready Tor service. And again
Lieutenant Payne and gallant crew of
eightlyolunteered FOR a second attempt. All,
those were brave fellows, now, L tell you.
But they were doomed 10 death and disap-
pointmeut, for, while lying off Fort Sum-
ter enc morning. the piratica little craft
was capsiZed, and again all were drowned
but the intrepid commander.
in week or two, however. the boat was
again raised. and Mr.. Hunley asked and
perimental cruise in Cooper River.
''At the drop Of the handkerchief, sir
Yes, sir. Eight as noble fellows as ever
lived gave up their lives for The lost cnuse
The theory was that the boat became I'M
man ageable after going under, as it was
found nearly mile from where IL dis
appeared from the surface.
There were none lett to tell the tale this
time-the whole nine persisted. But again
the Inflated craft WIS raised. And do you
believe me sir, In "a hours afterward Lieu
tenant Dixon of the Twenty-firs A labama
Volunteers, with eight other daredeviis,
had volunteered 10 attempt once more the
destruction of the Federal fleet?
I'm less than week the boat sailed out
OF Charleston Harbor and attacked and
sunk the Federal steamer Housat0nic-and
then-and then her mission partly accom-
piished-she and her gallant nine disap-
peared forever"