Benjamin Maillefert
Professor Benjamin S. H. Maillefert was an engineer who specialized in underwater blasting. He developed torpedoes used by the Union naval forces during the American Civil War.
Maillefert was born in Barcelona, Spain and was responsible for several attempts a blasting to improve navigation through Hell Gate in New York City's East River. His obituary from the August 12, 1884 The New York Times reads: