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Thu Jul 13 1865 LT J H Eldridge, USS Delaware writes CDR Foxhall A Parker, Potomac Flotilla, "In obedience to your order, I proceeded to Potomac Creek in search of two torpedoes reported to have been buried near a house situated about a mile distant from the river.
After some difficulty I learned where they were concealed and dug them out without accident.
The following is a description of the torpedoes and appurtenances: The body of the torpedo is made of sheet copper, with a concave head, and pointed at the lower end somewhat in the shape of a nun buoy, about 2 feet 6 inches in length, and sufficiently large to hold 80 pounds of powder. In the head are fixed five tubes, with percussion primers. At the lower end is a socket, by means of which the torpedo is attached to its anchor. The anchor is of the kind usually known as mushroom anchor, globular at the top and flat underneath. It has a hole in its center about 5 inches in diameter, across which is fixed an iron bar having an eyebolt in its center, by which means the torpedo is attached.
The fuse consists of a paper case filled with percussion and powder inserted in a metal tube, and covered by a percussion wafer which projects through the upper end of the tube and covers its head.
This tube is secured in another larger tube (similar to the metal stock used for our navy fuse) by a small screw through the latter, and working in a groove made for the purpose in the former. The percussion wafer and fuse attached are protected from the water by a copper cap, that covers the entire head of the larger tube, of the thickness ordinarily used for percussion caps.
For safety in transporting, a safety cap of composition metal, of sufficient thickness to resist a moderate blow, is placed over the head of the fuse and secured in one side by a small thumbscrew." It is endorsed by CDR Parker on 14 July "Respectfully forwarded to the Navy Department, with the remark that the torpedoes have been sent to the ordnance yard at Washington.
The information which led to the discovery of these torpedoes is contained in two communications, enclosed herewith, and marked A and B, recently received from Beverly Kennon, formerly a lieutenant in our Navy." Bureau of Ordnance endorses it "Received and contents noted." Enclosure A reads "Two torpedoes, holding 80 pounds, sensitive tubes, torpedoes capped, safety tubes on the caps, buried on the roadside; the torpedoes are buried in her yard near her stable. A wicker fence is near at hand (say, 5 yards). Her house is situated on the roadside, about 1 mile from the mouth of Potomac Creek. Unless these torpedoes are removed some innocent body may suffer.
BEVERLY KENNON,
Commander, C. S. Navy."
Enclosure B reads "On the property is a woman, with five children; her oldest son is a boy, say, 15 years old, who will show you where these things are. They are buried on the roadside, say, 1 mile or less from eastern mouth of Potomac Creek. When you call there, the older boy will plead ignorance. Tell him that I say he must show you, and he will do so.
BEVERLY KENNON,
Late Lieutenant [C. S. Navy]."
RADM William Radford, North Atlantic Squadron, writes SECNAV "For the informatiou of the Department I have the honor to report thaat I have ordered the U. S. S. Shamrock to New York, U.S.S. Iosco to Boston, U. S. S. Boxer to Boston, U. S. S. Lenapee to Boston, U. S. S. Tahoma to Philadelphia, U. S. S. Phlox to Baltimore, U. S. tug Glance to Philadelphia, U. S. Tug Alpha to Baltimore.
The tugs Gamma and Delta have been ordered to the sounds of North Carolina to assist in bringing north the public property there; the Boxer is at present in the sounds for the same purpose.
The vessels within the limits of the late North Atlantic Squadron will be the Sangamon, ironclad, Lieutenant-Commander R. Chandler; Chicopee, third rate, Commander H. N. T. Arnold ; Agawam, third rate, Lieutenant-Commander C. L. Franklin (in temporary command); Yantic, fourth rate, Lieutenant-Commander T. C. Harris; Harcourt, tug, Acting Ensign I. Miller.
The Agawam will be stationed at Hampton Roads as senior officer's vessel, Lieutenant-Commander C. L. Franklin.
The Yantic at Hampton Roads, as dispatch vessel.
The Chicopee at Cape Fear River, to relieve the Lenapee.
The Harcourt, tug, at Hampton Roads.
The Sangamon is at the yard ready for service. On the return of her commander from leave granted by the Department, I shall, unless otherwise directed, order her to City Point for the benefit of fresh water."
RADM S K Stribling writes SECNAV "I have the honor to inform you of the arrival of the Powhatan at Boston this morning, in obedience to your orders of the 9th ultimo. We left Key West on the morning of the 5th and on the next day fell in with the Dale, three days out. As the winds were very light, we took her in tow to the capes of the Delaware."
RADM Henry K Thatcher, West Gulf Squadron, writes SECNAV "I have the honor to inform the Department that in obedience to its orders contained in its dispatch of the 31st May, I have sent North the following vessels not before reported: | Date, | vessel. | Ordered to |
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| July 10 | Sebago | New York. | | July 12 | Genesee | Philadelphia. | | July 12 | Princess Royal | Do. | | July 12 | New London | Boston. | | July 13 | Penobscot and Cayuga | New York. | | July 13 | Sciota and Pocahontas | Do. | | July 13 | vincennes | Boston." |
RADM Samuel P Lee, Mississippi Squadron, telegrams LCDR R L May, USS Ibex "Hurry back with Ibex for special service."
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