"Clue Emerges in Fate of Civil War Sub" Topic

Clue Emerges in Fate of Civil War Sub
By BRUCE SMITH,AP
Posted: 2007-12-15 14:24:29

Filed Under: Science News, Nation News
CHARLESTON, S.C. (Dec. 15) – When scientists opened the watch belonging to the H.L. Hunley commander three years ago, they thought they had the key clue to why the Confederate submarine sank off Charleston.

But the 18-karat gold watch now seems to raise even more questions even though scientists announced Friday it did not slowly wind down but stopped quickly – perhaps the result of a concussion or rushing water.

All of us were thinking the watch pointed to the crucial moment," said state Sen. Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston, chairman of the state Hunley Commission. "But I would say instead of the smoking gun, it's more of the smoke that keeps you from seeing."

The hand-cranked Hunley rammed a black powder charge into the Union blockade ship Housatonic on Feb. 17, 1864, becoming the first sub in history to sink an enemy warship.

The Hunley also sank that night with its eight-man crew. It was found 12 years ago off Charleston, raised in 2000 and brought to a conservation lab.

The watch owned by Lt. George Dixon was opened in 2004. It read 8:23, tantalizingly close to historical accounts that the Housatonic sank about around 9 p.m.

McConnell said experts from the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors said the damp on the Hunley could have made the watch run slow.

So concussion of the explosion might have stopped the watch and sank the Hunley.

But McConnell also said there is no way to tell if the watch was even working that night. It may have been broken but Dixon may have continued to carry the expensive watch.

And if the time on the watch was right, it doesn't explain how Confederate soldiers on shore reported a blue light signaling from the Hunley about 45 minutes after the attack on the Housatonic, he said.

McConnell said the fate of the Hunley may be revealed by other clues. In the coming months, scientists will X-ray valves on the pumping system that are encrusted with sediment.

The position may tell whether the sub was taking on water.

When scientists start removing encrusted sediment from the hull, they may find evidence of a rope showing the Hunley was anchored waiting for the tide to turn, McConnell said.

One theory is that the sub took on water while waiting to return

Thanks for posting this 11th ACR.

A couple of yers ago I was down in Charleston and was hoping to go see the Hunley.

But; work got in the way, and the sub was only displayed on certain days in the tank at the lab.

If you find out any more, please post again.
Thanks
Joe

Living in South Carolina I know it's heresy, but I really just don't see what the big mystery is or why it's that important. The sub sank after completing its mission. It sank one ship and had zero impact on the course of the war or on the world at large (its not like it launched a submarine arms race).

The taxpayers have been tricked into paying a ton of money for this restoration/investigation with the faint promise that somehow it will be a big source of revenue in the future. If State Senator McConnell thinks it's such a sure thing, than he should raise the money privately or at least put it up for a referendum instead of using the state treasury to subsidize his Lost Cause fantasies (he routinely makes personal appearances wearing a Confederate admiral's uniform).

IIRC – The Hunley is often credited for being the first submarine. That should be worth seeing for a lot of people. It's not very often we have a chance to reclaim a first "warmachine" of such importance. Just because it belonged to the CSA should not be a consideration, it's historical knowledge for all of us.

DJ,

Actually, I think the Turtle has claim to that honor.

link

Perhaps better said is that the Hunley was the first sub to actually sink a ship in combat.

The restoration project is still immensely expensive and I disagree with the position of its sponsors that the expense is warranted because it might solve the greatest military mystery of all time.

The Hunley is the first sub to sink an enemy vessel in wartime, as said above.

As such, it's a historical treasure that should be preserved. If the recovery/restoration is being financed solely by South Carolina, then they should have better grant writers. If it's being funded nationally, then the money is inconsequential.

Besides, I'm sure *some* South Carolinians want it done, and I'm sure that some things *you* want get funded that other people don't like, too. It's all about everybody getting something after all, not about one person getting everything.

-Kle.

If you only do what everybody can agree on you get things like network tv – and congress.

For the average person (one not already a wargamer or history buff), artifacts like the Hunley popularize and personalize history. Considering that most people have already forgotten 9/11, we should probably encourage that.

Tell me about 9-11, Saladin. I'm working on the Pentagon Memorial project. The military is a little concerned nobody will come out to see it.

I agree, the Hunley project is worth it. My kids seem to find it fascinating. To them it is like discovering Jules Verne's Nautilus. This page of history has become real.

I think the Hunley needs to be restored. Before dipping into public funds they should try raising money through donations and charging fees to see it. If that falls short then use taxpayer's money. I haven't been following the story since the recovery took place so I don't know what has been done or how much it has/will cost. I'd sure like to see it. I am planning a springtime road trip and Charleston sounds as good a destination as any. As for Senator McConnell wearing an admiral's uniform it is no worse than Ted Turner wearing a Confederate infantry officer's uniform.

Captain Crunch wrote: "As for Senator McConnell wearing an admiral's uniform it is no worse than Ted Turner wearing a Confederate infantry officer's uniform."

True, but at least Ted Turner had the decency to be shot repeatedly during his brief cameo in "Gettysburg".
The sight of which cheered us greatly, and at which WE cheered.
Yours,
Capn Mark