Around her was a boom of logs to prevent sudden approaches of boats or vessels from our fleet.

Cushing, who was then barely twenty-one, resolved to attempt her destruction.

He fitted up a steam launch with a long spar to which he attached a torpedo.

On the night of October 27th, with thirteen companions, he ran quietly up the Sound and was not discovered until his boat struck the boom, when a terrific fire was opened upon him.

Backing a short distance, he ran at the boom with such velocity that his boat leaped across it into the water beyond.