MYSTERIES OF THE SEA
By James Morris Morgan
In reading the following official report of the captain of the U. S. S. Victoria, one of the blockading fleet off Wilmington, N. C, in 1864, it must be remembered that it is dated many years before the mechanical torpedo or the (from) 18- to 40-knot torpedo boat was invented. It is quite a good description of the maneuvers of a Whitehead torpedo or modern torpedo boat might be, but at the time it was written the Confederates did not have a steam launch, such as they used for torpedo boats, which could possibly make over seven knots an hour and the question naturally arises: "What was it that Captain Keyser and the crew on the U. S. S. Victoria saw? The Confederates never attempted a torpedo attack at Wilmington as they had no torpedo-boat or launch there.
U.S.S. "Victoria,"
Off Western Bar, North Carolina,
September 9, 1864.
Sir:
…At 2 a. m. being in four and a half fathoms water, with Bald Head light bearing East half North, and Bug light North East, three quarters North, saw a suspicious looking, very small dim bluish-white water crossing our stern to westward. We soon made it out to belong to something that looked like a large whale, with the water washing over either end of it. I supposed it to be a torpedo-boat, then on our starboard quarter and to westward of us, standing toward us. I started ahead on one bell to bring our starboard broadside gun to bear upon him (the pivot gun cannot be used in broadside) and fired as soon as possible: then started full speed in order to change our position and avoid his blow under cover of the smoke. I then stopped and looked for him again. He soon after made his appearance upon our starboard quarter, as before. Not having room to turn my broadside to him, I started, as we headed East South East: full speed to gain room, but he ran parallel to us and as fast as we could go. I then rang one bell, which soon brought him abeam, fired starboard gun again, and went full speed. Having more steam by this time, we easily distanced him and got, as I thought, off shore of him in the smoke and lost sight of him. I then stopped and watched for him. In about fifteen minutes he appeared upon our starboard side, two points forward of the beam. We then started full speed, fired our starboard gun at him, put our helm hard aport, and in the smoke got to westward of him by crossing his stern (I did not expect to strike him before we got around). I stood out in eight fathoms in order to have more room if he tried us again: stopped and set red and blue light at the peak. In about twenty minutes saw him again on port quarter, turned the ship toward him until he was abeam, fired port broadside gun at him. I think and so did all the officers, that the last shot struck him, as he was very near, say forty yards, and the gun was fired with an aim. All the others were pointed with the helm, as he could not be seen from the main deck, it being very dark…
Fired in all five shots: our guns were loaded with shell and grape over them. Wind NNE. very light, and water very smooth.
Your obedient servant,
(Signed) E. S. Keyser,
Acting Master Commanding.
Captain B. F. Sands,
Divisional Officer,
Off Western Bar, N. C.