Von Scheliha's Damn Torpedoes
Sat 20 Jun
|London
Admiral David Farragut's order 'Damn the torpedoes, full steam ahead' is one of the most famous quotes of the Civil War. But the originator of these deadly new weapons is largely forgotten. This talk explores the man behind the Mobile defences - Prussian immigrant Victor von Scheliha.
Time & Location
20 Jun 2026, 13:00 – 14:00 BST
London, Civil Service Club, Great Scotland Yard, London SW1A 2HJ, UK
About the Event
In the last days of the American Civil War, Mobile, Alabama, finally succumbed to the Union’s might. Although Mobile’s land fortifications were adequate, there were not enough soldiers to properly man them. On the other hand, the Union Navy paid a heavy price for its victory. Eleven US warships were sunk in Mobile Bay, and all were victims of the same explosive weapon – the torpedo. Of the four Union ironclads destroyed by torpedoes during the entire war, three were sunk in Mobile Bay. Nowhere in the war were torpedoes more destructive. The person mostly responsible for this staggering level of destruction was Prussian immigrant Victor von Scheliha, the Confederate District of the Gulf’s Chief Engineer. Von Scheliha’s remarkable journey did not end after the war. He returned to Europe, where he furthered the notoriety he had first gained defending the shores of Mobile Bay. Paul Brueske reveals how the Prussian-born…
Tickets
VENUE TICKET
This ticket is for people attending the meeting in person at the Civil Service club. If you are a UK Income Tax payer, please consider making a Voluntary donation as this enable us to claim tax relief on the ticket price. Tea, coffee and biscuits are included. Also includes access to the CSC bar before and after the event. A 50% refund will be given on the day to Full Time Students on presentation of a Student Card.
£8.00
ONLINE TICKET
This is a hybrid physical and online event (via Zoom). A small fee is charged for online access to hybrid events to cover costs. Zoom attendees cannot participate in the raffle. The online link will be sent to you on your email receipt. FullTime Students are eligible to attend free by Zoom - please contact us for a discount code
£3.00
DONATION (VOLUNTARY)
We welcome voluntary donations to enable us to continue our education and conservation projects on both sides of the Atlantic. You can now make a donation of any value from £1 upwards on a single 'ticket'.
£RAFFLE TICKET (VENUE ONLY)
We will be holding a raffle of books and other memorabilia. You must be present in person to participate, but to save time on the day you can purchase these online in advance. ONLINE RAFFLE TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED NO LATER THAN MIDDAY THE DAY BEFORE THE EVENT.
£1.00
Total
£0.00