Civil War Torpedo Works

Edgar Collins Singer was a nephew of Isaac Merritt Singer of the sewing-machine company, and in 1859 he patented an improved feed for the Singer machine while living at Port Lavaca. His torpedo work led to a stranger venture. When Lavaca men went to mine Mobile, Horace Lawson Hunley asked them to back his third try at a submarine. Singer took a 33 percent share, with Benjamin A. Whitney, John D. Braman and Robert W. Dunn sharing the rest. On February 17, 1864, the H. L. Hunley became the first submarine to sink an enemy ship in combat.

What the plaque says

Civil War Torpedo Works In February 1863, local inventor E. G. Singer developed and tested a torpedo with a unique spring action ignition system on the shores of Lavaca Bay. With nine other Lavaca citizens including Singer's financial partner Dr. J. R. Fretwell and Captain David A. Bradbury, who was soon placed in charge of Confederate torpedo operations, Singer received authority to provide the new technology to Confederate forces in the vicinity. Several types of underwater and land mine torpedoes were manufactured at the experimental torpedo works in Lavaca. The devices were quickly installed in rivers throughout the South, including the Yazoo in Mississippi, and in Mobile Bay in Alabama. Singer's torpedo mines were instrumental in the defense of the Matagorda Bay area throughout 1863. (1998)

Where it stands

More markers nearby

• Civil War Bombardment of Port Lavaca — steps away
• Beach Hotel — 0.2 mi
• Alsatian Immigration Through Lavaca Bay — 0.4 mi
• San Antonio and Mexican Gulf Railroad — 0.4 mi