Ship Spar Torpedoes.—On both sides, spar torpedoes fitted to the bows of ships, and also on rafts slung over the bows, were somewhat extensively used, but on no occasion were they the means of injuring or sinking any vessels.
To increase the difficulties of the Northerners in searching for submarine mines, the Southerners laid down a great number of dummy torpedoes, also erected false torpedo stations, and laid false wires.
It must always be borne in mind, in connection with the torpedo operations above detailed, that the apparatus were very crude, and the operators at the commencement inexperienced.
Paraguayan War (1864-68).
Torpedoes employed by the Paraguayans.—During their protracted struggle with the Brazilians, the Paraguayans employed submarine mines for the protection of their river forts, &c.
Loss of the "Rio Janeiro"—Brazilian Fleet entrapped.—On the 2nd of September, 1866, the Brazilian ironclad Rio Janeiro, after being well-battered by the guns of the Curupaity fort, was sunk by a torpedo. Later on, near the same place, a whole fleet of Brazilian war ships were entrapped by the Paraguayans, between two rows of submarine mines, but owing to faulty arrangements they escaped unharmed.
Austrian War (1866).
Venice, Pola, &c., protected by Torpedoes.—During this war, torpedoes for the defence of Venice, Pola, &c., were extensively used by the Austrians, under the direction of Baron von Ebner, but as in '59 no opportunity was afforded of proving their practical worth, though morally they were of great value, the Austrian harbours so defended being considered impregnable by the enemy, and therefore no attempt was made to force them.
Franco-German War (1870-71).
Little or nothing in the matter of torpedo operations was attempted by the Germans, and on the part of the French nothing whatever.