Two Union men examining captured barrel torpedo at torpedo station

The torpedoes of the Civil War were quite different in operation from a modern-day torpedo. They functioned and served the same purpose our present contact mines do: they were often found floating on the surface of the water or tethered to float just below. The explosive chemicals were held in vessels called demijohns or carboys, which were and are still used to ferment beer, wine, and mead. The demijohns were able to seal the air tightly, preventing the powder from mixing with the water.

Both Confederate and Union sides used torpedoes, but the Confederates were particularly fond of them because of their smaller navy.

Torpedoes during the time period were also created to detonate electronically to allow safe passage of non-warships, such as passenger and shipping vessels. These weapons were more common among the Union, as the Confederacy did not have as much access to copper and platinum wire and acid for batteries. Despite their efforts, electricity was still so new at the time that both sides had trouble successfully detonating their torpedoes at the right distance anyway.

Benjamin S.H. Mallifert (center with boots) at torpedo station on James River

Benjamin S.H. Maillefert, an engineer and professor who specialized in underwater blasting, was one of the developers of torpedoes for the Union during the turmoil of the Civil War. He was born in Spain and was a member of B. Maillefert & Co., a company that used electric batteries and iron rods to blast surfaces underneath the water. After the war, the torpedoes needed to be removed to promote safer travel among the waters. Maillefert was in charge of removing the torpedoes and other obstructions from James River in formerly Confederate Virginia.

Find more images of Civil War torpedoes and other weapons in the Brady Civil War Photos.

Torpedoes in the Civil War