Where does full steam ahead come from?

Where does full steam ahead come from?

These expressions all allude to the steam engine, where full steam signifies that a boiler has developed maximum pressure. They became well known through an order allegedly given by Admiral David Farragut at the battle of Mobile Bay (1864): “Damn the torpedoes! Full steam ahead!”

How do you use full steam ahead?

You can see they feel that this is a much better nomination, that they want to move ahead, full steam ahead. Permission was finally granted this summer for the brewery to go ahead and the glass worker has been going full steam ahead since July.

Who said full steam ahead?

Attributed to David Farragut of the United States Navy during the American Civil War, usually paraphrased as “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!” The actual order (if it ever existed) was, “Damn the torpedoes! Four bells.

What figure of speech is steam ahead?

adverb As quickly and efficiently as possible; with all possible energy and determination. We’ll have to go full steam ahead if we want to get this done by the deadline!

Where did the phrase full speed ahead come from?

This saying is attributed to David Glasgow Farragut (1801-1870) – a U.S. naval officer, who received great acclaim for his service to the Union during the American Civil War. In 1864, at the Battle of Mobile Bay, he refused to consider retreat, shouting the now famous phrase–albeit a rather longer version of it.

What did Farragut say?

Farragut is best known for his victory at the Battle of Mobile Bay in August 1864, during which he commanded his fleet to ignore Confederate defenses in the harbor, famously proclaiming “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!”

What rank was David Farragut?

Admiral

David Farragut
Allegiance United States (Union)
Service/branch United States Navy (Union Navy)
Years of service 1810–1870
Rank Admiral

Is in full steam?

(of a steam engine) using the greatest possible amount of steam, in order to travel as fast as possible, or work as hard as possible: She is going full steam, it seems, 24 hours a day.

What does all systems go mean?

A state of readiness for immediate action: “Your proposal has been approved, so it’s all systems go.” This phrase originated in the 1960s during the heyday of space flight and referred to the launching of missiles and other space vehicles.

How did Farragut seize New Orleans?

In the middle of the night of April 24, Admiral David Farragut led a fleet of 24 gunboats, 19 mortar boats and 15,000 soldiers in a daring run past the forts. Now, the river was open to New Orleans except for the ragtag Confederate fleet. The mighty Union armada plowed right through, sinking eight ships.

What illness did Admiral Farragut suffer from?

heart attack
Farragut died from a heart attack at the age of 69 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, while on vacation in the late summer of 1870. He had served almost sixty years in the navy. He is interred at Woodlawn Cemetery, in The Bronx, New York City.

author

Back to Top