Very good, and probably more accurate than anyone would like to admit. Anyway, reports say The Hunley personnel knew this was their last chance at damaging The Housatonic. They probably knew they must run the risk of ending their own lives to, down The Housatonic. They were happy with what they'd accomplished.
Regarding the article and the fact that it came from the AP tells the story on that one. The woman says she's not going to write a book, but it's like...yeah right! She just wants to raise the sunken desire so her book will sell and the AP is helping. So...it's just, MOMEY-MONEY-MONEY.
I feel they certainly saw their attack as a "forlorn hope". I am equally certain that their plans included tall cold ones at the "club", and sea stories told to admiring young belles after they got back. Bubbleheads is Bubbleheads after all.