The Torpedo Act

In the last post, I mentioned the Torpedo Act.  

From the Yale Law School Lillian Goldman Law Library.

An Act to Encourage the Destruction of Armed Vessels of War of the Enemy

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That, during  the present war with Great Britain, it shall be lawful for any person or persons, to burn, sink, or destroy, any British armed vessel of war, except vessels coming as cartels or flags of truce; and for that purpose to use torpedoes,  submarine instruments, or any other destructive machine whatever: and a bounty of one half the value  of the armed vessel so burnt, sunk, or destroyed, and also one half the value of her guns, cargo, tackle,  and apparel, shall be paid out of the treasury of the United States to such person or persons who shall effect the same, otherwise than by the armed or commissioned vessels of the  United States.

Approved March 3, 1813

Jacob Lewis & the N.Y. Flotilla-- Part 3: Lewis & Fulton on Torpedoes and Underwater Cannons

Congress  prompted experimentation to develop new weapons and methods of naval combat, passing what was called the Torpedo Act in March.  This granted one half the value of an enemy warship to an individual destroying it.

Robert Fulton and Commodore Jacob Lewis cooperated in developing torpedoes and underwater gunnery.  In the early 19th century, a torpedo was an explosive charge detonated against the side of a target.  Typically, a small vessel rammed the enemy ship below the waterline with a torpedo mounted on a forward spar.

Also, a submarine could attach the torpedo under the target underwater.

Fulton and Lewis demonstrated the potential of an underwater cannon.  They placed a hundred pounder columbiad  with a ten pound powder charge below the surface of the water.  The firing mechanism was dry inside the attacking boat while the muzzle extended into the water.  Upon firing, the cannon could drive a massive ball through three feet of solid oak at a range of six feet.

The British decision not to attack New York City precluded the use of this under actual combat conditions.

--Brock-Perry

Delaware in the War of 1812-- Part 3

The Americans had the Fulton torpedo, invented by steamboat pioneer Robert Fulton.  They consisted of gunpowder filled barrels with a timing device, the forerunners of today's naval mines.  This sort of weapon continued to be called torpedoes even through the Civil War.  When Admiral Farragut ordered his fleet "Damn the torpedoes!  Full speed ahead!" he was referring to these mine/torpedoes.

The Lewes bombardment ended up as a stand-off.  The town was not captured, nor did they give the British those 20 bullocks.  But the British fleet went after American shipping in the Delaware River and Bay, destroying about twenty ships.

A month later, Havre de Grace, Maryland, was looted and burned.

Most every Delaware town had some sort of fortifications.

No Bull for You!!  --Brock-Perry