The Civil War News & Views Open Discussion Forum

Parachutes

I have found the use of parachutes in the Civil War...surprising find. Rockets were equiped with parachuts as signals.

"I would here call your attention to the fact that rockets can be made available for day signals by removing the parachute and placing in its stead a blank cartridge open at the lower end. In very hilly country, where signaling with flags is not always practicable, this mode of signaling by day, I think, is very much to be recommended." Series 1 - Volume 29 (Part I) pg. 510

"This arrangement was subsequently found to be unnecessary, as the admiral had with him Ensign Adams, a naval officer who is well instructed in our code of signals. I provided each expeditionary party with two plain and two parachute rockets, to be used to designate as follows: Plain: We are successful. Parachute: We are repulsed." Series 1 - Volume 28 (Part I) pg. 45

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David Upton