What does 'Damn the torpedoes mean?

Answer 1

"Damned the Torpedoes, Full Speed Ahead!" is an apocryphal phrase said to be uttered by Rear Admiral David G Farragut of the US Navy, during the Battle of Mobile in the American Civil War, August 5, 1864.

It is most likely that Farragut actually said "Damn the Torpedoes, Four Bells, Captain Drayton!" (the commander of the ship he was on). He likely shouted to the captain of the nearest Union ship: "Go ahead, Jouett, Full Speed!" The two phrases have become united in common memory now, into the single phrase above.

In the context of the time "Torpedo" was what we now refer to as a "naval mine", not the self-propelled anti-ship weapon of today. So, more accurately for today's audience, Farragut was stating: "Ignore the minefield, press on at full speed!" He said this as part of his invading fleet was slowed due to one of the ships hitting a previously unknown mine; Farragut was hoping to press the attack into Mobile Bay quickly, so as to flank the shore batteries. He was successful, and the Union won the battle.

In a modern context, "Damn the Torpedoes!" is usually meant as "forget any problems we're having, press onward!" That is, ignore the problems you might be experiencing, under the assumption that you can complete the task anyway, after which those problems become irrelevant.

Answer 2

When you "damn" something, you are cursing it to hell. This famous quotation is from a military commander. The full statement is "Damn the torpedoes: full speed ahead." He was saying that he was going to continue at full speed without worrying about the torpedoes that might blow up his ship.