[usconservative]

The sub was raised from the ocean floor in 2000, adding to the mystery when it became clear that there was no damage to the hull itself.

Not sure who's left on FR from the Freeper Convention in Charleston, SC back in July/August of 2001. There was a fairly large group of us who went to see the Hunley as it sat in a salt water tank at that time. It's been so long ago I don't remember why it was kept in that tank though it was before the bodies were removed from the submarine and before any scientific research was done directly on the sub itself. It was very interesting to see along with the exhibit around it. The history of the Hunley is quite fascinating, even for this damn' yankee.

[DiogenesLamp]

They kept it in the salt water while it was waiting to undergo an ion exchange or something. Metal that has sat in the ocean for years will absorb chemicals from the water that will cause it to fall apart quickly if it is not subjected to some sort of treatment to remove the chlorine atoms (I think).

It is part of the process for preserving the metal.

[Captain Walker]

Why wasn’t the ship considered off-limits as a graveyard? (I mean, there are German subs off the east coast that are afforded that dignity; why wouldn’t these guys have been treated the same?)

[grey_whiskers]

"...2000, adding to the mystery"

What's that?

Mystery Submarine Theater 2000?