Torpedo War, and Submarine Explosions

"Torpedo War, and Submarine Explosions" by Robert Fulton is a historical account that promotes the use of torpedoes as essential tools for naval defense. The narrative, framed as a letter to influential political figures like President James Madison, presents the author's experiments and arguments for adopting torpedo technology in the early 1800s. Fulton highlights his torpedo demonstrations and their destructive capabilities, suggesting a radical shift in maritime warfare strategy. He describes how torpedoes can protect against enemy ships, referencing successful tests, such as the incident involving the Danish brig Dorothea, to support his claims. The essence of the work lies in Fulton's enthusiasm for and promotion of underwater explosives as a game-changing weapon for national security.