CSS David (1863-1865?)

Spar torpedo boat. L/B/D: 50 × 6 × 5 (15.2m × 1.8m × 1.5m). Comp.: 4. Built: T. Stoney, Charleston, S.C.; 1863.

     Presumably named for the Israelite David in recognition of his battle with Goliath, CSS David was built by T. Stroney of Charleston, South Carolina. Shaped like a cigar and designed to operate very low in the water, David and the ten other Confederate torpedo boats built at Charleston were intended to sink Federal blockade ships by detonating an explosive charge against the ships' hulls, the explosive being carried on the end of a spar projecting from the bow.

     On the night of October 5, 1863, Lieutenant W. T. Glassell commanding, David attacked the casemate ironclad steamer USS New Ironsides. The torpedo detonated under New Ironsides's starboard quarter causing serious damage but throwing up a column of water that extinguished David's boiler

fires. All but the pilot, W. Cannon, abandoned ship, though Assistant Engineer J. H. Tomb returned to the vessel. The engines were eventually restarted and David made it to safety. (Glassell and J. Sullivan were captured.) David is known to have staged two more attacks, neither successful. The first was on March 6, 1864, against USS Memphis, and the second was on April 18, when she tried to sink USS Wabash. Her ultimate fate is unknown.

Perry, Infernal Machines. Silverstone, Warships of the Civil War Navies.

CSS Midge (1864-1865)

     Midge, a steam torpedo boat of similar design to the David, was built at Charleston, South Carolina, in 1864. Captured by Federal forces when that city fell in February 1865, Midge was later taken to the New York Navy Yard, at Brooklyn, New York. She was exhibited there until sold in May 1877.

CSS Saint Patrick (Confederate torpedo boat, 1864-1865)

     Saint Patrick, a small semi-submersible torpedo boat, was privately built at Selma, Alabama, in 1864. Operating under the Confederate Army's control, but with a C.S. Navy commanding officer, she attacked USS Octorara in Mobile Bay on 28 January 1865. However, her torpedo misfired, and the Union ship was not damaged. St. Patrick was able to escape the return fire and return to Mobile.

CSS H.L. Hunley (1863-1864)

     H.L. Hunley, a small, hand-powered submarine, was privately built at Mobile, Alabama, in 1863, based on plans furnished by Horace Lawson Hunley, James R. McClintock and Baxter Watson. Her construction was sponsored by Mr. Hunley and superintended by Confederate officers W.A. Alexander and G.E. Dixon. Following trials in Mobile Bay, she was transported to Charleston, South Carolina, in August 1863 to serve in the defense of that port. On 29 August, while moored to a steamer, the submarine was accidently pulled over on its side and sank, drowning five members of her crew. After salvage, she was given a new crew and began a series of tests. However, during diving trials on 15 October 1863, she failed to surface. Horace Lawson Hunley, who was directing her operation, and the rest of her men were drowned.

     H.L. Hunley was again raised and repaired. With a third crew, and under orders to only operate on the surface, she began a series of attempts to attack United States Navy ships on blockade duty off Charleston. On 17 February 1864, these efforts were successful. H.L. Hunley approached the steam sloop of war USS Housatonic and detonated a spar torpedo against her side. The Federal ship sank rapidly, becoming the first warship to be lost to a submarine's attack.

     However, H.L. Hunley did not return from this mission, and was presumed lost with all hands. Her fate remained a mystery for over 131 years, until May 1995, when a search led by author Clive Cussler located her wreck. On 8 August 2000, following extensive preliminary work, the H.L. Hunley was raised and taken to a conservation facility at the former Charleston Naval Base. At present, she is the subject of a careful preservation effort that ultimately should place her in suitable condition for general public exhibition.

CSS Squib

CSS Torch

CSS Torpedo