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From what I remember reading, in order to atatch the mine, the sub had to get very close to the target ship..the length of the mast at the front of the sub..one theory has it that the mine detonated before the Hunley was far enough away, teh shock of the explosion could have sprung the ship in several places, including the valve seats..

I grew up in Charleston and the Hunley was a part of mythology to me. What Amelia Earhart, The Titantic, Glen Miller's plane, and the entire Bermuda Triangle were to the rest of the country was all rolled up into the Hunley for me. I have followed this story with intense interest, have been to see the boat itself three times (at different stages of excavation), and even went to the Hunley funeral. I fear I may be obsessed (a harmless obsession, I hope).

I have thought about it a lot, and have always concluded there must have been a collision between the Hunley and one of the rescue vessels. The fact that the blue lantern signal was seen from shore after the attack seems to rule out damage from the explosion (except, perhaps, a slow leak, but the pump should have been able to overcome that). I had not heard the weather front hypothesis before, and will have to think about it a bit. Needless to say, I wait with bated breath for the final report by the excavation team.

I encourage any of you who are in the Charleston area (even Yankees) to go to the old navy base and see the Hunley. I assure you the size and technological sophistication of the boat will surprise you.

Plus, it is one hell of a story.