We recently pointed the RV toward Charleston, South Carolina. We visited Fort Sumter, the birthplace of the Civil War. And observed the restoration project of the H. L. Hunley, the world's first successful combat submarine.
The Hunley was a Confederate submarine that made history on February 17, 1864, when it sank the USS Housatonic, a Union warship. The Hunley was the first submarine to sink an enemy vessel in combat, and its victory was a major turning point in the Civil War.
The Hunley was designed by Horace Lawson Hunley, a Confederate engineer. It was a hand-powered submarine that was 40 feet long and weighed 7 tons. The submarine had a crew of eight men, who would turn a crank to power the propeller. The Hunley also had a spar torpedo, which was a long, pointed pole that was attached to the front of the submarine. The torpedo was filled with gunpowder, and it was detonated by a fuse.
The Hunley was a risky weapon, but it was also a very effective one. On February 17, 1864, the Hunley attacked the USS Housatonic in Charleston Harbor. The submarine sank the warship by ramming the spar torpedo into its hull. The Housatonic sank within minutes, and 58 of its crew members were killed.
The Hunley's victory was a major morale boost for the Confederate forces. However, the submarine's success was short-lived. On its next mission, the Hunley mysteriously sank with its entire crew. The submarine's remains were not found until 1995, and it was not until 2000 that it was raised from the ocean floor.
The H.L. Hunley is a fascinating piece of history. It was the first submarine to sink an enemy vessel in combat, and its victory was a major turning point in the Civil War. The submarine's mysterious sinking has also added to its mystique. Here are some interesting facts about the H.L. Hunley.
The submarine was named after its designer, Horace Lawson Hunley.
The Hunley was made of wrought iron and wood.
The submarine was powered by eight men turning a crank.
The Hunley had a spar torpedo, which was a long, pointed pole that was attached to the front of the submarine.
The Hunley sank the USS Housatonic on February 17, 1864.
The Hunley's remains were not found until 1995.
The Hunley was raised from the ocean floor in 2000.
If you are interested in the Civil War or submarine warfare, then the H.L. Hunley needs to be on your bucket list. Our visit to this incredible piece of American history is documented in this youtube video.
The submarine is on display at the Warren Lasch Conservation Center in North Charleston, South Carolina.
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