Missing view port muddies long-held theory of Hunley's disappearance

Island Packet ^ | December 28, 2005 | JOHN C. DRAKE,

[Steelerfan]

Fired a torpedo? I can't check now, but didn't it have a spar torpedo? The story I learned as a kid was that the concussion from the torpedo exploding is probably what sunk the boat, although I will admit I haven't kept up on the stories since they found her.

[RebelBanker]

Inaccuracy in the article. The Hunley had a spar torpedo, as evidenced by the fact that the salvage crew actually had to unbolt the spar from the boat's hull.

[RebelBanker]

Dixie ping!

[Riley]

Fired a torpedo? I can't check now, but didn't it have a spar torpedo?

That's the media for you. CSS Hunley had a spar mounted charge that was rammed into the Housatonic's side. The Hunley then backed away and fired the charge with a lanyard. The shock underwater would have been brutal.

If you get to Charleston SC, it's worth the detour to go see her at the Lasch Conservation Center. I did, and it was incredible.

[sheltonmac]

*ping*

[Riley]

http://www.hunley.org/

[Al Gator]

"or was injured by potentially the damage from the front eyepiece,"

Not only is the article screwing up the facts, but its screwing up the grammar as well.

I am still trying to figure out how one is injured by potentially.

I guess potentially is a hazardous material or something?

[Junior]

The vessel did have a spar torpedo, but the wreck of the Hunley was found a couple of hundred meters from where the Housatonic went down, which means the sub survived the attack and sank on the way back.

[Steelerfan]

Thanks for the information. I am up North, but my father is now retired and tours Civil War sights. He fell in love with Charleston and has since taken my mom a few times. Must be quite a place.

[Steelerfan]

Interesting, thanks.

[jordan8]

Infernal Machines: The Story of Confederate Submarine and Mine Warfare by Milton F. Perry, has a good chapter on the Hunley.

[SC Swamp Fox]

South Carolina Ping

Add me to the list. | Remove me from the list.

[kalee]

ping

[U S Army EOD]

The media never fails to get individuals to write articles about things they don't understand. "Fired a torpedo" indeed.

[smug]

Charleston..... Must be quite a place.

It's the best!!!!

[thulldud]

The media never fails to get individuals to write articles about things they don't understand.

That may be because the media now consist entirely of individuals who understand nothing.

[DJ MacWoW]

ping

[Darksheare]

One of the Union shis coming in to assist reported running into a log.
(Don't recall where I read it.)

The Hunley was some distance from its target.
Likely they did escape, but were rammed unknowingly by the mentioned Union vessel heading in to assist.

[Professional Engineer]

ping