Cool History: Infernal Machines

20Jul2012

Cool History: Infernal Machines
August 4, Saturday 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

In conjunction with National Inventor’s Month, Port Columbus presents a look at inventions and technological advancements in the navies both North and South during the Civil War. Infernal Machines focuses on the development and use of mines and torpedoes, weapons that redefined naval tactics. You’ll hear fascinating stories such as the daring raid by USN Lt William Cushing on the formidable CSS Albemarle, the controversy around the sinking of the USS Cairo by mine, and the work of the Confederate “Bomb Brothers” George and Gabriel Gaines.

• 1:30 – The Hunt for the Albemarle, Museum Theatre – Hear the personal stories of USN Lt. William Cushing in his raid on the Albemarle and the Enslaved African American who helped him in the aftermath.

• 2:30 – Infernal Machines, Gallery Presentation – A Gallery program exploring the development and use of mines, torpedoes, torpedo boats and submarines, including the work done by George and Gabriel Gaines, the “Bomb Brothers” of the South.

• 3:30 – A New Weapon for the Waters, Museum Theatre – The sinking of the USS Cairo was the first successful use of an electronically detonated mine in war – or was it? Hear the conflicting accounts from the scene of battle.