A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....07-07-04....The South's Secret Weapon

Mama_Bear

[Mama_Bear]

Wonderful tribute to the 'Hunley Crew'. Your good morning graphic is TOPS! : )

Awww.......thank you! :-)

Can you stay for awhile today? We've been missing you around here.

[ST.LOUIE1]

(((((Pipster)))))

Good to see you! You went missing again. : )

[Pippin]

Did you see my earlier post about my trip to Tennessee this past weekend for the 4th of July?

[ST.LOUIE1]

Can you stay for awhile today? We've been missing you around here.

I could say the same about *you*. LOL

I'll be back, have a couple of things to do.

SMOOOOOCH!!!

[ST.LOUIE1]

Did you see my earlier post about my trip....

Sure didn't, where is it?

[Pippin]

Post #15 on today's thread! :O)

Don't you read your comments page?

I pinged you and Lori to it.

[Mama_Bear]

All the time I was thinking what a beautiful country we live in and what a pity that not enough folks take time out to see it and drink in the magnificants and the splender of God's creating beauty.

Isn't that the truth?! I didn't get to see your beautiful Maryland on this trip, (I grew up there, so I know it IS beautiful), but our drive through Virginia and North and South Carolina was some of the prettiest country I have ever seen!

I think I'll never get away from DEMOCRATS!

Like a recurring nightmare isn't it?

But all in all, sounds like you had a wonderful 4th of July holiday. Thanks for sharing it with us. (((((((((pippin)))))))))

[Pippin]

Thanks, (((Lori))!

Maybe you can get to see Maryland some day.

Democrats are like bad pennies, hard to get rid of! LOL!

But I had a great time!

[MeekOneGOP]

Thanks. You have a lovely day, too, Mama_Bear. :^D

[ST.LOUIE1]

Post #15 on today's thread! :O)
Don't you read your comments page?

Ooooops! Sorry, doll. Yes, I read my comment's page, guess I just 'missed' yours. : (

I'll read it when I get back, OK? : )

[Pippin]

Okay! :)

[Mama_Bear]

We've been missing you around here.

I could say the same about *you*. LOL

Hey, I posted the 4th of July thread and hung around meeting and greeting most of the weekend.....and where were YOU? Wolfing down bbq'd ribs and swimming, I bet. ;-)

I'll be back, have a couple of things to do.

Okay. I have a lunch appointment, so if I'm not here when you get back, that's where I'll be. :-)

SMOOOOOOOOCH backatcha.

[dutchess]

What a wonderful informative thread Lori. Never heard about the Hunley. What an amazing story.

Many years ago we went for a golf thing at Mrytle Beach and were evacuated twice (Hurricane Diana). First time we went inland...second time we smartened up (smartened??? is there such a word LOL!) and went to Charleston. Fell in love with the city...my first time on an aircraft carrier and submarine (can't remember the names) and swore that we would go back soon. You just inspired me AGAIN!

[Mama_Bear]

Don't you read your comments page? I pinged you and Lori to it.

Yep, I saw it. I'm just slow answering my pings sometimes, especially when I have posted the thread and need to be sure to reply to everyone.

Have a nice day, Pip. So nice to have you back with us on a regular basis....bet you are just loving your computer after being without one for so long. :-)

[Pippin]

YESSSSS!

I don't know how many times I wished I could've come here this past weekend.

[Mama_Bear]

Many years ago we went for a golf thing at Mrytle Beach and were evacuated twice (Hurricane Diana). First time we went inland...second time we smartened up (smartened??? is there such a word LOL!) and went to Charleston. Fell in love with the city...my first time on an aircraft carrier and submarine (can't remember the names) and swore that we would go back soon. You just inspired me AGAIN!

It is a great place to visit, but be sure to allow more than a couple days. I wanted to tour some of the old houses there, but we didn't have enough time.

We didn't go aboard the Yorktown because both JK and I have been on carriers before. (As much as I love the Navy, I have to say,..........seen one, seen 'em all. LOL!). I have also been aboard a fast-attack submarine, so we didn't actually tour much of Patriot's Point this trip. But, Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie were so interesting. I just love being close to history! :-)

I thought I was the only one who had never heard of the Hunley. Glad you enjoy this little bit of Civil War history. :-)

Have a great day (((((((((Sistah dutchess)))))))))!

[JRPerry]

Maybe you can answer a question for me, since you were there for the ceremony....I have heard two different accounts of the number of crew aboard the final sailing of the Hunley. Some of the websites say the crew numbered nine and some say eight. Since only eight names are listed, I assume that is the correct number. I don't understand the discrepancy in these different reports.

That has always confused me too - but here is my best effort at explaining why the descrepancy. We were actually still living in Charleston when it was discovered, but moved to the central part of our state by the time it was raised. They had been looking for it for quite some time.

Anyways, here goes. There were actually three crews. The first one sank and five of the nine man crew drowned. The second one was swamped in the wake of a boat and all nine drowned. The third crew, the one that was honored at the ceremony, consisted of nine ... eight known crew members and one unknown crewmember who replaced William Alexander who was originally second in command but he transferred to another unit just before the final mission. (Commander 1st Lt. George E. Dixon, an infantry officer from Kentucky, plus James A. WICKS, Arnold BECKER, C. SIMKINS, F. COLLINS, RIDGEWAY, MILLER, C.F. CARLSON, UNKNOWN someone who substituted William ALEXANDER?)

It took eight men to turn the cranks and one commander to encourage them to keep going, steer, things like that - thus the crew of nine. BUT ... and here is the big BUT ... they only found the remains of eight which leads many to believe that Alexander was never replaced. These days everyone assumes that Dixon actually manned a crank and commanded at the same time.

There are many other interesting trivia facts surrounding the Hunley ... the one they talked about most in Charleston shortly after discovery was the trinkets carried by James Ridgaway and Dixon. And the homes of the crew. Anyway, I'll provide a couple of other interesting links.

Valves may hold answer to sunken Confederate sub

Hunley Crew

[Mama_Bear]

It took eight men to turn the cranks and one commander to encourage them to keep going, steer, things like that - thus the crew of nine. BUT ... and here is the big BUT ... they only found the remains of eight which leads many to believe that Alexander was never replaced. These days everyone assumes that Dixon actually manned a crank and commanded at the same time.

Oh, I see. That explains why some reports say nine crew members and some say eight.

And thanks for the links to those websites. They, and the information about the number of men, are a great addition to this thread.

I love a mystery, so I think that is why this story piqued my interest. I wish I had been following this unfolding tale from the beginning, but it was only recently that I heard anything at all about the Hunley. But then, I am out here on the left coast, nowhere near the center of the discovery. Still, we do get news out here (selective and slanted as it is), but somehow I missed it.

13 dogs!?! (I just went to your profile page.) That has to be very expensive caring for some many dogs! Blessings on you for taking in these canines in need of a home. :-)

[dixie sass]

Hey Pippin, your trip sounds delicious. I wish that I could have been with you! Did you get any of the Grits?