The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1898-07-21
REBEL NAVY'S
'' - Diving BOAT.
-Four Brave Crews In Gray Who
Perished in Torpedo Graft.
UNIQUE DESTROYER AT MOBILE.
Philadelphia Record.

Philadelphia Record.
"During three days." said N. B.
Sadler, of Washington, D. c., an erst
while soldier in the Confederate army,
who was visiting in Philadelphia few
days ago, "when our people are wrought
to the highest pitch OF war, the story
that am going to tell you may not
be amiss as illustrating the indomitable
courage and utter regardlessness OF fear
on the part of our Southern brethren
during the late conflict between the
States. And / want to add right here
that the same men and their boys are
now doing likewise for the Stars and
Stripes
"In 1864 the fleet of Admiral Farra-
gut was blockadlng Mobile: while
heavy land and naval attack was direct
ed against Charleston. During our
long defensive war great deal OF In
genuity had been expended by the
Confederates upon torpedoes and tor
pedo boats.
"The most remarkable OF these boats
was constructed at Mobile by Messrs.
Hundley u McClintock. 1t was
launched In 1864, and nothing which
has eyer gone down into the sea was
more wonderfully contriyed to wreak
vengeance and destruction upon friend
and foe.
"She was built of boiler iron and was
alright when ready tor her dive. Her
extreme length was about thirty feet.
with five or six feet beam, anu about
r hold IN
!, contour she resembled cigar; sharp
= at both ends. She was propelle by
: screw, the shaft of which ran horizon
= tally along her length, almost from
d stem, to stern, and was turned by the
manual force of eight men, seated OF
;, either side.
- NARROW HATCHWAY OF DEATH.
It The only hatchway was circular
Q about two feet in diameter, with low
=. combing around 1t, which was place.
y we'll forward, and, when desired coult
t. be closed by an iron cap, working o.
q hinges, and made alright. In til
v forward part OF this cap was 1nserte
a clear glass bull's-eye, through whlcl
e. the pilot could see. She was provides
t. with water-tight compartments, by tn
1T filing or emptying of which she woul
D. sink or rise and to enable her to rls
IL instantly her ballasting OF railroad bal
was placed on her bottom outside
ae her hull, and by means Of keys access
re ble to her crew, could be detached
" moment, so that she could rise qulcl
re ly to the surface.
"Besides her rudder, which was
at the usual form, this vessel was equip
er, ed with side paddles Or fins, whlc
to like those OF fish, served to guide d
NV nm or down. with reference to the su
face of the ship.
,at "To prepare her for action foatlI
gh torpedo was secured to her stern oy
I'M line more than 100 feet long, and, b
,as crew having embarked, the water tan
we're filled until she was III equlllbr
SO. and almost submerged. The hatchw
Tor was closed, the men revolved the shal
he and the captain or pilot standing U
ice der the hatch steered the boat, reg
ess lating at the same time by the actl
he of lateral fins the depths to which
re- would move.
UNDER WATER FOR TWO HOURS.
ad- "The greatest speed did not exec
VS. four knots. She would remain 81
no merged for halt an hour or an nc
'ee without any great Inconvenience
=, her crew and on occasions nao "
ioi- known to remain under water {
ant hours without actual injury to tn
Not although no means were provided
zes- procuring fresh air, and. from the I
oar ment that the hatch was closed,
men thus fastened in their lYing tor
Ion inhaled and exhaled continuously
nee atmosnhere which was inclosed WI
lich
eak- "The plan of attack proposed by
BE- inventor was to dive beneath the l
OF of an enemy's ship, hauling the tor
nag do after her. The triggers or sensl'
.ne primers would thus press against
VIII ships bottom, explode the torpedo
oWl- ~, sink the ship.
allie "Not anticipating an early oppo
nity for using the dangerous c
lard against the feet OF Farragut, Gen
el- Mawry (and this fact has never pc
rely been printed) fent her by rail to Ge
saw al Beauregard at Charleston, beile'
cup the water OF that harbor better su
nag tn her neculiar construction, while
hose ~ Ironc,des or some other glga
heir 49,, thon attacking Charles
might be found an object worthy
, do ln - r;si, +o which her own crew
such exposed in any enterprise they m
lause undertake in her.
fully s1General Beauregard changed
arrangement OF the torpedo by tas
: ing it to the bow. Its front was
minated by a sharp and barbed Il
head, so that when the boat was dr
end on against ships side the Ia
me- to head would be forced deep into
dress timbers, below the water line,
~AASS' L.. 4Lo %orvodo hoat "