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All the United States South Carolina North Charleston H.L. Hunley Submarine

H.L. Hunley Submarine

This recently rediscovered Civil War-era submarine was the first to ever sink an enemy ship.

North Charleston, South Carolina

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Annetta Black
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About

On February 17, 1863, an unseen enemy launched a devastating attack on the Union ship USS Housatonic, sinking the ship and killing five of her crew.

This was the beginning of a new era of battle at sea, and the little H.L. Hunley Submarine had claimed its first victim, but she was never seen again—until recently.

The 40-foot-long submarine was launched by the Confederate Army just months before this deadly encounter. Being a sailor in a Civil War-era submarine was risky business—the Hunley sank not once but twice during training runs, killing 13 of its own men between the two incidents, including her creator Horace Hunley.

This deadly beast was actually Hunley's third attempt at a submarine. Two earlier versions were built, the Pioneer and the American Diver, the first of which had to be scuttled in fear of an advancing Union Army, and the second sank during trial runs and could not be saved.

The Hunley was originally called the Fish Boat and it was designed for a crew of eight, seven of whom were devoted to the arduous task of cranking the propeller while one steered. It was armed with spar torpedoes, which featured a trigger mechanism activated by the attacking vessel pulling on a long cord still attached to the exploding end. This may help explain the Hunley's eventual fate.

Recovered from the mud off Charleston, South Carolina in 1995 after decades of speculative spottings, the historic sub is finally being both restored and investigated as researchers try to piece together her last moments. It is currently thought that the Hunley was damaged in its own attack, and sank within just twenty feet of the Housatonic.

The submarine is currently being preserved and studied at the Warren Lasch Conservation Center.

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Us Civil War Submarines Retro Tech

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Added By

Annetta Black

Edited By

thegenxjourney, markskm

  • thegenxjourney
  • markskm

Published

February 3, 2013

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Sources
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._L._Hunley_%28submarine%29
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Housatonic_%281861%29
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinking_of_USS_Housatonic
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horace_Lawson_Hunley
H.L. Hunley Submarine
1250 Supply Street
North Charleston, South Carolina, 29405
United States
32.85625, -79.958268
Visit Website
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Nearby Places

The Waring Historical Library

Charleston, South Carolina

miles away

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of North Charleston

North Charleston

South Carolina

Places 2

Nearby Places

The Waring Historical Library

Charleston, South Carolina

miles away

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Unitarian Church Cemetery

Charleston, South Carolina

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of North Charleston

North Charleston

South Carolina

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