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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
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).
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).
Return to Naval
Historical Center home page.
Page made 4 November 2001
Link added 18 January 2003