Скачать или смотреть The Battle of Mobile Bay, Damn The Torpedoes, Admiral David Farragut's Finest Hour

The Battle of Mobile Bay, fought on August 5, 1864, was a pivotal naval engagement during the American Civil War. This battle, led by Union Admiral David Farragut, aimed to secure one of the last major Confederate ports on the Gulf of Mexico. The early stages of the battle, culminating in the sinking of the USS Tecumseh, were marked by strategic maneuvers, intense combat, and a dramatic display of leadership.

Mobile Bay was heavily fortified by the Confederacy, with three key forts—Fort Morgan, Fort Gaines, and Fort Powell—guarding its entrance. Additionally, the bay was protected by a minefield (referred to as "torpedoes" at the time) and a small Confederate fleet, including the formidable ironclad CSS Tennessee. Admiral Farragut's Union fleet consisted of wooden ships and ironclad monitors, which were tasked with breaching these defenses.

At dawn on August 5, Farragut's fleet began its assault. The Union ships advanced in two parallel columns, with the ironclads positioned closest to Fort Morgan to absorb the brunt of the Confederate artillery. The wooden ships followed, lashed together in pairs to provide mutual support in case one vessel was disabled. The USS Tecumseh, a Canonicus-class ironclad monitor, led the charge against the Confederate defenses.

As the fleet approached the minefield, the Tecumseh veered off course to engage the CSS Tennessee. In doing so, it entered the minefield and struck a submerged torpedo. The resulting explosion was catastrophic, causing the Tecumseh to sink rapidly, taking most of its crew, including its captain, Commander Tunis Craven, to the bottom of the bay. The loss of the Tecumseh created chaos and hesitation among the Union fleet, as the remaining ships faced the daunting task of navigating the minefield under heavy fire from Fort Morgan.

It was at this critical moment that Admiral Farragut demonstrated his legendary leadership. From his position aboard the USS Hartford, Farragut is famously said to have ordered, "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!" This command, whether apocryphal or not, rallied the Union fleet and inspired them to press forward through the minefield. The fleet successfully bypassed the Confederate defenses and entered Mobile Bay, setting the stage for the eventual Union victory.

The early part of the Battle of Mobile Bay, up until the sinking of the Tecumseh, was a dramatic and decisive phase of the engagement. The loss of the Tecumseh underscored the dangers of naval warfare during the Civil War, while Farragut's leadership exemplified the determination and resolve that ultimately led to Union success. This battle not only secured Mobile Bay for the Union but also demonstrated the strategic importance of naval power in the Civil War.
00:00 Introduction
03:10 The Battle of Mobile Bay
08:34 The Fight for Mobile Bay was Long Overdue
16:17 The CSS Tennessee
27:56 Fort Morgan's Weakness' Get Exposed
34:51 The Tecumseh Heads for Trouble