Letter, 1863 August 18, Lorigan to Brooks, regarding a Rebel torpedo found on Morris Island

TitleLetter, 1863 August 18, Lorigan to Brooks, regarding a Rebel torpedo found on Morris Island
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CreatorLorigan

CollectionsThomas Benton Brooks Papers

Dates

Descriptive InformationLetter to Brooks from Lorigan providing drawings and a description of a Rebel floating torpedo picked up off of Morris Island on August 18th 1863.

Transcription[Letter] Morris Island S. C. [South Carolina] August 20th 1863; Captn. [Captain] T. B. Brooks; Assistant Engineer; Sir; In compliance with your orders I have the honor to lay before you the drawings and following description of a Torpedo picked up off this Island. The accompanying drawings represent an unfired Torpedo, or destructive machine, to float with the tide and currents for the purpose of blowing up any vessel or obstacle that it may come in contact with. This Torpedo was picked up in the Main Ship Channel Charleston S. C. August 18th 1863. Its formation is that of two cones joined at their bases, and is constructed of staves held together by iron hoops. To make it still more impervious to water it is well payed with a composition of pitch and tar on the outside. a.a. are cast iron flanches, suited to the curvature of the outside, and carrying the collars. b.b. These flanches are fastened to the wooden staves by bolts

LocationsMorris Island, Charleston County, South Carolina, United States(32.71573,-79.89037)

TopicsSouth Carolina--History
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
Artillery operations
Fort Sumter National Monument (Agency : U.S.)

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RightsU.S. Government Work Learn More