U. S. Torpedo Boat, "Spuyten Duyvil" - Removing Obstructions in the James River, at Fort Darling - for the Passage of the Fleet up to Richmond April 2nd 1865. - Shell invented by Chief Engineer Wm W. W. Wood U.S.N.

• Price: $975.00
  

  SKU: 13869

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• ARTIST: Otto Fuchs

• MEDIUM: Two-color lithograph,

  DATE: c.1865.

• EDITION SIZE: Image size 10 15/16 x 17 1/2" (277 x 443 mm).

• DESCRIPTION: J. H. Bufford, lith. 313 Washington St. Boston. Otto Fuchs. Respectfully dedicated to Rear Admiral F. H. Gregory, U.S.N. This unusual vessel was built at New Haven, Connecticut and launched in 1864. Originally named "Stromboli" and was specially designed as a spar torpedo vessel. A spar torpedo is an underwater weapon consisting of a bomb placed at the end of a long pole, or spar mounted at the bow. The idea was to maneuver into position to attack an enemy vessel at her weakest point, underwater.<br>By the time she arrived on the James River there were few targets, a new use for her was thought up, using her to blow up sunken vessels or obstructions so that the USN could travel up the James to the Capital of the Confederacy, Richmond.<br><br>The artist Otto Fuchs (1839 - 1906) was a draftsman at the naval bureau office in New York and later a professor of drawing at the U.S. Naval Academy.

• ADDITIONAL INFO:

• CONDITION: Good condition, save for a professionally repaired tear in lower margin that extends to the image.

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• CATEGORIES: 18th-19th Century Subjects , Marine , Naval