Benjamnin F. Butler, Butler's Book: Autobiography and Personal Reminiscences of Major-General Benjamin Butler

Major Rodman arranged with great care, and after numerous experiments, to insure safety and certainty, the slow matches, six in number, which were to be distributed in as many places.

In the event of the electricity failing the clocks were to be the next dependence; it was, therefore, necessary to so distribute them that in case the vessel was boarded from the shore they could not be conveniently reached; and also to lead the flame rapidly to many points.

This it was proposed to accomplish by the aid of the “Gomez fuse train,” which is incomparably quicker in its action than the flame of gunpowder, approximating electricity.

From each clock and each slow-match this train was to be laid through the exterior layers of bags in the deck-house and into each hatch; and, in order to secure this simultaneous ignition in many places, the fuse train from each of the clocks was to be grafted into the other fuse train from each of the other clocks at all points of crossing.

By the report of Admiral Porter it would appear that the powder was finally exploded from the effects of a fire kindled in the forecastle; no results of value were to be expected from this mode. It was proposed only as a final resort in order to prevent the vessel in any contingency from falling into the hands of the enemy. It was certain that the greater portion of the powder would be blown away if ignited in a single point, and the effect very much diminished.

The three explosions spoken of are readily accounted for, the deck-house, the after hold, and the berth-deck would take fire in succession if ignited at one point.

I cannot in any way account for the failure of the clocks, if set to the proper time, except on the supposition that possibly the turn on the cylinder may have been taken the wrong way, and instead of unwinding they wound up the balls!

I am not aware that any attempt was made to use the electric wire; but it was not favorably considered by those charged with the execution of the plan. Mr. Beardslee,who was to undertake this matter, came to Norfolk, made him-self acquainted with the requirements and returned to New York to obtain the necessary means, but had not reached Norfolk when the vessel sailed.

A part of the programme required that the vessel should be grounded, which appears not to have been the case. No very sanguine expectations were entertained of a successful result unless the vessel could be placed within three hundred yards, and then only after all the precautions had been taken to insure a maximum effect.

[No. 129. See pages 804 and 806.]
testimony of commander A. C. Rhind, U. S. N.¹

The fuses were set by the clocks to one hour and a half, but the explosion did not occur till twenty-two minutes after that time had elapsed, the after part of the vessel being then enveloped in flames.