The sub’s keel weights had been partially loosened, which suggested the crew realized they were in danger, but not in time to save themselves. The wrench used to operate the seacock was found on the floor of the submarine leading them to theorize Hunley had either forgotten to close the valve or lost the wrench and was unable to close it. Rescuers reported the forward ballast tank valve had been left open, allowing the submarine to fill with water. Horace Hunley, still clutching a candle, was in the forward conning tower. Thomas Park was found with his head in the aft conning tower. When its hatches were opened, there was a gruesome sight with the crew members seemingly frozen in time. US Naval Historical Center/Public Domain. It was found deep in the harbor channel, with its bow buried in the mud and its stern still floating.Ĭhains and ropes were used to hoist it to the surface and place it on the dock. Hunley, suspended from a crane during its recovery from Charleston Harbor, August 8, 2000. Once the submarine disappeared beneath the waves, it was not seen again for weeks.īad weather delayed search efforts and divers did not recover the H. He announced his vessel would dive beneath the CSS Indian Chief and surface on the other side. On October 15 th, Horace Hunley scheduled a demonstration of his boat in Charleston Harbor. Beauregard granted the request, and Hunley sent for a crew of men from the Park and Lyons Machine Shop in Mobile. It took weeks to retrieve the submarine, and in that time Horace Hunley arrived in Charleston and demanded the submarine be returned to him. William Robinson escaped through the aft hatch and Charles Hasker – trapped by the hatch cover – rode the sub to the bottom before freeing himself and swimming to the surface. Payne, who was standing atop the sub, jumped into the water and was rescued. Whatever happened, the result was the same: the Hunley sank immediately, taking five of her crew down to their deaths. Others claimed the mooring lines of another ship became tangled on the sub, pulling it onto its side until its hatches were underwater. Hunley, the first combat submarine in history to sink another ship. There are conflicting stories of what happened: Some claimed the wake of a passing ship flooded into the Hunley’s open hatches, filling it with enough water to sink it. In 1995, researchers discovered the wreck of the Confederate Navy’s submarine, the H.L. On August 29 th, the Hunley was moored at Fort Johnson, preparing to depart for its first attack on the blockade when it suddenly sank at the dock. John Payne, a Navy man assigned to the CSS Chicora. Frustrated by McClintock’s pace, the Confederates seized the Hunley submarine and turned it over to Lt. The crew quickly began testing the Hunley in Charleston Harbor. Hunley arrived in Charleston on August 12 th, 1863, accompanied by James McClintock and Gus Whitney, one of the investors in the sub. The vessel was raised in 2000, and is now on exhibit in Charleston.The H. However, its first successful mission was also its last-the Hunley sank before it returned to Charleston, taking yet another crew down with it. The Housatonic sank in shallow water, and the Hunley became the first submarine to sink a ship in battle. The Hunley struck a torpedo into the Yankee ship and then backed away before the explosion. On February 17, 1864, the ship headed out of Charleston Harbor and approached the U.S.S. Horace Hunley and his entire crew perished.Īnother willing crew was assembled and the Hunley went back into the water. In front of a crowd of spectators, the Hunley slipped below the surface and did not reappear. On October 15, he took the submarine into Charleston Harbor for another test. Its inventor and namesake stepped forward to restore confidence in his creation. tion with historical and archaeological evidence, the presence. The ship was raised and repaired, but it was difficult to find another crew that was willing to assume the risk of operating the submarine. In conjunc exhumed, relocated, and reburied in the military. Hunleys crew died is solved after 150 years: Men on board the American Civil War submarine were killed by the pressure blast of their OWN torpedo. Hunley named after her developer + first commander, Horace Lawson Hunley was the first submarine to sink an enemy vessel, and was based out of the Charleston Harbor. During a test run, a crew member became tangled in part of the craft’s machinery and the craft dove with its hatch open only two men survived the accident. Charleston is home to many historical firsts, and the first successful combat submarine is no exception. The submarine experienced problems upon its arrival.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |