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, continued] and nuts as represented. The collars b. b. tapped, 10 threads to the inch, to receive a hollow plug c. into which is slipped the plunger d. having a projection or swell at its base e. and conformed to in the bore of the plug to prevent its falling through. Screwed into the lower part of the plug in the nipple f. surmounted by a circular piece of wood g. Through the nipple and wood is inserted the paper tube h. containing the explosive material, probably the Fulminate of Mercury. Water is excluded from around the plunger by the stuffing box nut i. and from the junction of the plug c. and the collar b. by the leather washer k. The small hole in the plunger is intended for the insertion of a spike or wire to keep its base from contact with the fulminating powder, until dispatched on its mission of destruction. The swell of the sea will cause the top of the plunger to strike against a vessel with sufficient force to endure an explosion. The entire machine is filled with coarse powder to the amount of about fifty pounds. I have the honor to be; Captain; your obt. [obedient] Servt. [Servant]; Christopher J. Lorigan; Co. [Company] A. N. Y. [New York] Vol. [Volunteer] Engineers

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