moment when a ship should enter within explosive range, and at all times
to test its condition and to verify its location.

Lieut. Hunter Davidson, his valued assistant, succeeded him in charge of
the James River batteries, and in time extended the mines some distance
below. During the two years when he was in charge he planted many
electrical torpedoes in the channel of the river, to be fired from
concealed stations on shore. Some of these contained 1,800 pounds of
powder.

In August, 1862, the Federal steamer "Commodore Barney" was badly
disabled by one of these, and in 1864 the "Comm. Jones" was totally
destroyed, with nearly all on board, the first fruits of Maury's
electrical torpedo defense. The first vessel destroyed by a submarine
torpedo was the gunboat--ironclad--"Cairo," in the Yazoo River. The
torpedo was a demijohn of powder enclosed in a box sunk in the river and
fired by a string from the shore. Lieut. Beverley Kennon claimed the
credit for this but Masters McDaniel and Ewing did the actual work.

Early in 1864 Davidson, in a steam launch, specially constructed for
him, called "The Torpedo," having made 120 mile run down James River,
all within the enemies' lines, exploded a torpedo against the flagship
"Minnesota," at anchor off Newport News. The river swarmed with the
enemy's vessels, and the guard boat was lying by the "Minnesota," but
her captain had allowed his steam to go down. Davidson hit the great
ship full and fair, causing great consternation on board, but the
torpedo charge was only fifty-three pounds of powder and it failed to
break in her sides, although considerable damage was done. Davidson
suffered no injury and returned to Richmond without incident.

On August 9, 1864, there was a great explosion in Grant's lines at City
Point, on the James, caused by a torpedo with a clock attached which
caused it to explode at a given hour. With daring unexcelled John
Maxwell and R. K. Dillard, of the torpedo corps, made their way into the
lines, carrying the machine neatly boxed with them, which Maxwell handed
aboard one of the boats lying at the wharf, saying that the captain had
directed him to do so. In half an hour there was a terrible explosion,
killing and wounding fifty men and destroying much property and many
stores besides, injuring many nearby vessels, which brave John Maxwell
quietly witnessed seated upon a log upon a hillside close by.

Lieut. Beverly Kennon was also most active in th