The Confederate Navy submarine H.L. Hunley was unveiled yesterday for the first time since it was recovered from the ocean floor near Charleston more than a decade ago. The vessel, a 42 feet long iron cylinder, is credited as the first “successful” submarine in that it sank the USS Housatonic on February 17, 1864 during the US Civil War. It was not a particular success in any other regard, as the Hunley sank before reaching port, killing her crew of eight. Prior to her first and only attack, the Hunley had sunk twice before, killing an additional 13 crew, including her inventor and namesake, Horace L. Hunley. The wreckage of the Hunley was discovered in 1970 by the archaeologist E. Lee Spence. The wreck was raised on August 8, 2000 and transported to the Charleston Navy Yard where it has undergone over a decade of research and restoration.
Hmmm. Sounds like a suicide mission to me… Must’ve been an interesting dive and research.
The people that served on the Hunley the third time were very brave! They should be remembered, not in regard to their political commitment, but in regard to their bravery!
The Discovery Channel did a special on this.
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