8470. TORPEDOES, Defensive value.—
I consider your torpedoes as very valuable
means of the defence of harbors, and have no
doubt that we should adopt them to a considerable
degree. Not that I go the whole length
(as I believe you do) of considering them as
solely to be relied on. Neither a nation nor
those entrusted with its affairs, could be justifiable,
however sanguine its expectations, in
trusting solely to an engine not yet sufficiently
tried, under all the circumstances which May
occur, and against which we know not as yet
what means of parrying may be devised. If,
indeed, the mode of attaching them to the cable
of a ship be the only one proposed, modes of
prevention cannot be difficult. But I have ever
looked to the submarine boat as most to be depended
on for attaching them, and though I
see no mention of it in your letter, or your publications,
I am in hopes it is not abandoned as
impracticable. I should wish to see a corps of
young men trained to this service. It would
belong to the engineers if at hand, but being
nautical, I suppose we must have a corps of
naval engineers, to practice and use them.—
To Robert Fulton. Washington ed. v, 165.
Ford ed., ix, 125.
(M.
Aug. 1807)
