Mornin' Dixie. I knew you'd like this one. LOL!
I found the story of the Hunley fascinating. We had a wonderful tour guide in Charleston who was like a living history book. He focused a great deal on the Civil War era and particularly the burial of the Hunley's crew, which we missed by a little over two months. His description of the event and of the raising of the vessel caught my attention.
The crew of the Hunley had to know that their chances of survival were less than good, since two previous crews had perished before them in practice dives. Brave men these sailors were, as are all men and women who go to war.
The training that the tour guides, especially those that work for the City or the State go through extensive training, sometimes I think that they take time capsules back in history so that they know it backwards and forwards.
The City and the Low Country are justifible proud of those men. We have been a shipping center and Navy center "since GOD was a child", (Local saying, I don't mean to offend.)
So much of the Low Country's economic history and local history is wrapped up with the port and the Navy. Generation after generation worked at the Ship Yard and the Weapons Station and various facilities. It was literally like loosing a member of the family when they closed the Shipyard and downsized the other Naval facilities here in Charleston.
We are proud of the men that go down to the sea and sail on the ships..
http://c.daringer.tripod.com/travel/images/smert_av.jpg
The above link will take you to a picture of Antivenom and Smartaleck taken several years ago at the Hunley Museum.
