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

USS Fulton-- Part 2: Just One Day of Service

On March 9, 1814, Congress authorized construction of a steam frigate to the design of Robert Fulton, a pioneer in the construction of steam ships.  Construction began in June at the civilian yard of famed shipbuilders Adam and Noah Brown in New York City and launched  October 29.

Delivered to the U.S. Navy in June 1816, but never formally named.  Fulton christened it the Demologos (or Demologus), but after his death, it was named the USS Fulton.

By the time of completion, the War of 1812 was over and she saw only one day of actual service when it carried President James Monroe on a tour of New York Harbor.

Its first commander, Captain David Porter (father of David Dixon Porter of Civil War and Fort Fisher fame and essentially a step father to David Glasgow Farragut) ordered a two-masted lateen rig built on the ship.  In 1821 its armament and machinery were removed and the remainder of its career spent in reserve.

After 1825, she became a floating barracks ship for the Brooklyn Navy Yard.  Its end came on June 4, 1829 in a gunpowder explosion while at anchor.  An officer and 47 men were killed.

--Brock-Perry

Launched of the Steam Frigate USS Fulton (Demologos)

OCTOBER 16, 1814,  Launch of the frigate USS Fulton the First, in New York.  Originally named Demologos, but renamed the Fulton after Robert Fulton's death on February 24, 1815.

Robert Fulton was commissioned to apply his engineering skills and expertise to the defense of that place an New Yorkers believed their harbor was inadequately protected.  He designed a 150-foot long steam frigate/floating fort and Congress authorized its construction in March 1814 at a cost of $320,000.

--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