Wednesday, August 8, 2012

The H.L. Hunley

A dozen years ago, the Civil War Confederate submarine the CSS HL Hunley, the first submarine to sink a warship using an explosive battering ram, was raised from the sea bed where it had lain since shortly after sinking the USS Housatonic off the coast of Charleston, SC in 1864.

For Hunley was found listing at a 45 degree angle port side up. To preserve the ship and her contents she was lifted at that same angle and delivered to Warren Lasch Conservation Center in the old Charleston Navy Yard for preservation. It wasn't until June 2011, 147 years after she went down, that the Hunley was finally rotated to its upright position, and port side was completely visible. Conservation work continues, and will for years.

Toad


1 comment:

David Bagwell said...

The HUNLEY was built right here in Mobile, designed by a Mobile lawyer like me. Hint: NEVER go down in a submarine which was designed by a lawyer. Lawyers can do many things, but designing submarines is not on the list.