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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Photo # 165-C-751: Confederate 'David' type torpedo boat at Charleston, S.C., 1865

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- SHIPS of the CONFEDERATE STATES --

CSS David (1863-1865?).
Also other Torpedo Boats of the "David" type

CSS David, a 50-foot steam torpedo boat of "cigar-shaped" hull design, was privately built at Charleston, South Carolina, in 1863 under the supervision of David C. Ebaugh. After being taken over by the Confederate States Navy, she made a daring spar torpedo attack on the Federal ironclad New Ironsides on the night of 5 October 1863. The Union ship was damaged, though able to remain on station, and David was nearly lost when the splash from her torpedo's explosion swamped her powerplant. However, her engineer was able to get her underway, allowing her to escape back to Charleston.

David attacked the Federal gunboat Memphis in March 1864 and the frigate Wabash on 18 April of that year. As a result of her actions, several similar torpedo boats were begun at Charleston in 1864-65, with a few of them entering service. Some "David" type craft were captured when the city fell to Union forces in Febuary 1865, along with a considerably larger steamship based on her hull form. It is possible that the original David was among them.

This page features, or provides links to, all our views of CSS David and of other torpedo boats of the David type.

For other views of Confederate "David" type vessels, see:

  • The "Large David" (1865); and
  • CSS Midge (1864-1865).


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

    Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

    Photo #: NH 54432

    CSS David
    (1863-ca.1865)

    Painting by an unidentified artist, depicting David at Charleston, South Carolina, in 1863.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 121KB; 740 x 540 pixels

     
    Photo #: 165-C-751

    Confederate "David"-type Torpedo Boat


    Abandoned at Charleston, South Carolina, after the city's capture by Federal forces, 1865.
    Note buggy and house in the background.

    Photograph from the Collections of the U.S. National Archives.

    Online Image: 113KB; 740 x 605 pixels

     
    Photo #: 165-C-752

    Confederate "David"-type Torpedo Boat


    Abandoned at Charleston, South Carolina, after the city's capture by Federal forces, 1865.
    Note spar torpedo gear at the boat's bow (to the left) and damage to her hull side, amidships.
    Also note waterfront details and large house.

    Photograph from the Collections of the U.S. National Archives.

    Online Image: 98KB; 740 x 500 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 55617

    Ex-Confederate "David"-type torpedo boat


    At the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, during the later 1860s.
    Old Fort Severn is in the center background, with the Naval Academy gas house behind it. The Midshipmen's wash house is on the pier at right. The larger buildings in the right distance are the extremity of the wing known as "Old Quarters". Cannon on the extreme right are part of a gun park.

    Courtesy of Mr. Elmer Jackson, "Capital Gazette Press", Annapolis, Md.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 63KB; 740 x 540 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 59420

    Confederate "David"-type torpedo boat


    Pen and ink drawing of the boat's internal arrangement.

    Courtesy of Dr. William J. Morgan.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 36KB; 740 x 350 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 95242

    Confederate "David"-type torpedo boat


    Pen and ink drawing, prepared during the 1960s, depicting the boat's outboard profile with her spar torpedo deployed.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 39KB; 740 x 355 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 59421

    Spar Torpedo Warhead, as used on Confederate "David"-type torpedo boats


    Pen and ink drawing of the weapon's side and front aspects.

    Courtesy of Dr. William J. Morgan.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 51KB; 740 x 380 pixels

     

    For other views of Confederate "David" type vessels, see:

  • The "Large David" (1865); and
  • CSS Midge (1864-1865).


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


    Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

    Page made 4 November 2001
    Link added 18 January 2003