Renshaw, Richard T. (1822-1879) to Henry K. Davenport
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02254.05 Author/Creator: Renshaw, Richard T. (1822-1879) Place Written: Washington, North Carolina Type: Letter signed Date: 8 November 1862 Pagination: 1 p. ; 19 x 25 cm. Order a Copy
Reports "a most successful trial of one of the Machines for blowing up vessels constructed by Second Assistant Engineer John L. Lay." Describes the trial, during which a "Sch'r of sixty tons floated over catching the wires and blowing her to atoms." Mentions that three other explosives are being built and promises to send drawings to Davenport.
Lay invented the spar torpedo, which was used by the United States Navy to sink the C.S.S. Albemarle in 1864. He later invented the Lay dirigible submarine torpedo. Davenport was senior officer of the Union Navy in North Carolina Sounds.
Lay invented the spar torpedo, which was used by the United States Navy to sink the C.S.S. Albermarle in 1864. He later invented the Lay dirigible submarine torpedo.
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