DARING DEED IN SAVING THE DAVID—C. S. NAVY. BY JAMES LACHLISON, RIDGEVILLE, GA.
In the October (1907) Veteran an account occurs of the daring attack of the torpedo boat David upon the frigate New Ironsides near Charleston. The author is in error when he states that the "engineer, not being able to swim, remained in the boat and drifted back to Charleston." The engineer spoken of is James H. Tomb, a Savannah boy, and, like all boys of his day and generation in that city, was like a duck in the water. Engineer Tomb is still living and resides in Jacksonville, Fla. I give the Veteran a history of the David and that gallant exploit.
The David was fifty feet long, seven feet beam, and could make about seven knots per hour. She was designed by Dr. Ravenel and Captain Stoney, of Charleston, and built in that city, the merchants of Charleston contributing the funds for her construction. She was cigar-shaped. Lieutenant Glassell and Engineer Tomb had been engaged for some time in attempts to sink the monitors off Charleston, using the first and second cutters of the C. S. S. Chicora, having a 65-pound torpedo projecting from the bows of each, and each boat propelled by six men at the oars. They were unsuccessful in these attempts because the men could not pull strong enough to strike the monitors with sufficient force to do any damage. They reported the cause of their failure to Flag Officer I. R. Tucker. Captain Stoney and others requested that Lieutenant Glassell and Engineer Tomb be placed in charge of the David and fit her up for a torpedo boat. They procured a long boiler tube to use as a torpedo spar, but in bending it found a flaw in the iron; and instead of having it eight and a half feet under the water, as they intended it to be, it was only six and a half feet. There is but little doubt that if this spar had been the length they intended it to be the New Ironsides would have gone to the bottom when struck. Admiral Dahlgren, in his official report of the affair, said that the injury was serious; and had she been struck two feet lower, she would have probably been sunk.
About the time the David was ready for service the frigate New Ironsides arrived off Charleston. She was reputed to be the most formidable vessel in the United States navy. She was selected as the vessel to attack. The crew of the David consisted of Lieutenant Glassell (in command), Engi_neer J. H. Tomb, Fireman Sullivan, and Pilot Cannon. After the David struck the Ironsides, her engine failed to work. Engineer Tomb reported this fact to Lieutenant Glassell, and also fears that the boat was sinking. Glassell ordered all hands to leave the boat and save themselves. He and Tomb and Sullivan jumped into the sea, Glassell and Sullivan swimming to the enemy, and were taken prisoners. The pilot, Cannon, being unable to swim, jumped into the water and clung to the life lines of the David. Tomb struck out for Morris Island. After swimming for some distance, he looked back and saw that the David was still afloat a short distance from the Ironsides; so he concluded to swim back and make an effort to save her. When he got to her, he found Cannon still clinging to the life lines. They climbed aboard, and Tomb, working on the engine, got it fixed, and, getting up steam, started back for Charleston, passing through the fleet and guard boats. The upper works of the David were riddled
with the fire of small arms to which she was subjected when she struck the Ironsides. Engineer Tomb made the trip successfully, and reported to Flag Officer Tucker on board the ironclad steamer Charleston off Fort Johnston, clad in nothing but his underwear. To Lieutenant Glassell and Engineer Tomb belongs the credit of being the first naval officers to make an attack on an enemy with a torpedo boat. To Dr. Ravenel and Captain Stoney belongs the credit of designing and building the first torpedo boat. The torpedo used on this occasion was made by Maj. F. D. Lee, C. S. A..
After this exploit, Engineer Tomb was placed in command of the David. He covered her all over to the water line with quarter-inch steel plate. In March, 1864, he struck the United States Steamship Memphis in North Edisto. After striking the ship twice, the torpedo failed to explode; and upon examination he found the tube mashed flat, but the torpedo defective. The crew at this time was Chief Engineer Tomb (in command), Pilots Cannon and Acosta, and Fireman Lawhes.
The foregoing is a true history of the David and the daring deeds of her gallant crew. I suppose my old playmate, James H. Tomb, is the only survivor. To him is due the credit of saving the boat and bringing her safely back to Charleston. It was a heroic act, and. excelled but by few, if any, of the intrepid deeds of our war. He has two sons, James H. and William Victor ("chips of the old block"), now officers in the United States navy.