Although Fulton was officially engaged by the English government, his plan was still under consideration, and the actual expedition met with several postponements. Pitt, although impressed by Fulton’s drawings and arguments, said that if the torpedo were introduced into naval practice it would in time destroy all military marines, and, as England’s pride and strength was in her navy, he hesitated to encourage a plan which might injure it.
In fact, Pitt was hoping for peace rather than war; and for several months the project languished.
We can imagine with how much pleasure Fulton accepted an invitation to breakfast with Mr. Pitt on the 20th of July at his country house near Putney Common. Sir Home Popham also was present and Fulton noted that “Lord Melville was expected but did not arrive.”
Fulton noted in his book of memoranda, that “during breakfast he explained the general principles of submarine navigation and attack which appeared to give pleasure and make a strong impression.” The enthusiasm of the inventor prevailed. Little by little he won by argument the approval of the half-sceptical British statesmen.
Finally Mr. Pitt directly asked Sir Home Popham if an agreement could be reached and Sir Home assented, saying Mr. Pitt’s “perusal and signature alone were wanting.” Then Mr. Pitt read and signed the papers, and delivered them to Sir Home Popham, with orders to call upon Lord Melville for his signature.
This was another red-letter day in Fulton’s history,—indeed in the history of the world’s naval warfare. For the signed papers were a contract with the inventor to fit out a British torpedo expedition against the French fleet at Boulogne. Sir Home left early, bearing the precious documents, and Mr. Pitt when alone with Fulton remarked upon the extraordinary invention which seemed to “go to the destruction of all fleets.”
Fulton replied, “It was invented with that view.” He added in his book of memoranda:
“As I had no desire to deceive him or the government, I did not hesitate to give as my opinion that this invention would lead to the total annihilation of the existing system of marine war.”
“But,” said Mr. Pitt, “in its present state of perfectionment those who command the seas will be benefited by it, while the minor maritime powers can draw no advantage from what is now known.”
“True, unless plunging or submarine vessels were introduced into practice,” answered Fulton. “It probably would be some years before any nation could bring such a vessel to perfection—at all events there would be time to fit future politics to future circumstances; if at present the French preparations can be destroyed by submarine attack, it will convince Bonaparte and the whole world that Frenchmen never can make a descent on England, for any future fleet prepared by them may be burnt in like manner.”