The U. S. Navy debated several plans to destroy '' Albemarle '' , and finally authorized Lieutenant William B. Cushing to locate two small steam launches that might be fitted with spar torpedoes .
The U. S. Navy considered various ways to destroy '' Albemarle '' , including two plans submitted by Lieutenant William B. Cushing . 
 They finally approved one of Cushing 's , authorizing him to locate two small steam launches that might be fitted with spar torpedoes .