Order of Commodore Rowan, U. S. Navy, to Captain De Camp, U. S. Navy, in view of the discovery of the supposed torpedo “David.”
 

FLAGSHIP NEW IRONSIDES,

Off Morris Island, April 19, 1864.

            Sin: I am in receipt of yours of this date respecting a torpedo “David” near your ship last night and its possible destruction by the fire of your battery.

            I would suggest the propriety of keeping every other gun loaded with grape for the purpose of firing at these craft.

            You also report the loss of an anchor and 70 fathoms of chain. I presume you will recover this, as I take it for granted you had a good slip buoy on your chain.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

S. C. ROWAN,

            Commodore, Comdg. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

Captain JOHN DE CAMP,

Commanding U. S. S. Wabash, off Charleston Bar.

Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion; Series I - Volume 9: North Atlantic Blockading Squadron (May 5, 1863 - May 5, 1864), 1899, U.S. Government Printing Office

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