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

Mama_Bear

[Mama_Bear]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

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One of the highlights of our recent trip to South Carolina was our tour of Charleston. Charleston was where the first shot of the Civil War was fired and it was here that, in 1864, an epic naval adventure took place and a new chapter in the history of naval warfare was written.

It was on this visit to Charleston that I learned the story of the Hunley submarine, the part it played in naval history and of the recent burial, on April 17th 2004, of the Hunley's final crew.

This tribute is in honor of the brave pioneers
that manned the first successful combat
submarine, the CSS Hunley.....

From the National Geographic Website.....

"It was a hungry time in Charleston, South Carolina, those early months of 1864. Bombarded by land and blockaded by sea, the city that cheered the opening shots of the American Civil War remained proudly defiant, but its Rebel defenders were looking mighty pinched. Salt pork, corn, boots, blankets, lead for musket balls, and most everything else the army needed was in critically short supply. The Union Navy's chokehold on the city's harbor would have to be broken soon, and the best hope for doing that lay with a strange and secret new weapon—a "diving torpedo-boat" christened the H. L. Hunley.

Shortly after sunset on the night of February 17, at a dock on nearby Sullivans Island, eight audacious Confederates squeezed inside the claustrophobic iron vessel and set out on a quixotic mission. Affixed to the boat's bow was a spar tipped with a deadly charge of black powder. At the helm was Lt. George Dixon, a bold-hearted, battle-scarred army officer. Behind him, wedged shoulder to shoulder on a wooden bench, sat seven crewmen whose muscles powered the sub's hand-cranked propeller. As the crew began turning the heavy iron crankshaft, Dixon consulted a compass and set course for a daunting target—the steam sloop U.S.S. Housatonic, stationed four miles (six kilometers) offshore. The Rebels' plan was to run about six feet (two meters) below the surface until they neared the blockader. But in order for Dixon to take final aim, he would have to resurface just enough to peer through the sub's tiny forward viewport.

At 8:45 p.m. John Crosby, acting master aboard the Housatonic, spotted something off the starboard beam that looked at first like a "porpoise, coming to the surface to blow." There had been warnings of a possible attack by a Confederate "infernal machine," and Crosby was swift to sound the alarm. Sailors rushed to quarters and let loose a barrage of small arms fire at the alien object barely breaking the surface, but the attacker was unstoppable.

Two minutes later the Hunley rammed her spar into the Housatonic's starboard side, well below the waterline. As the sub backed away, a trigger cord detonated the torpedo, blowing off the entire aft quarter of the ship. It was an epic moment."....Glenn Oeland

From the Friends of the Hunley Website.....

The explosion caused the USS Housatonic to burn for three minutes before sending the sloop-of-war collapsing to the bottom killing five sailors.

The Hunley then surfaced long enough for her crew to signal their comrades on the shore of Sullivan's Island with a blue magnesium light, indicating a successful mission. The shore crew stoked their signal fires and anxiously awaited the Hunley's safe return. But minutes after her historic achievement, the Hunley and all hands onboard vanished into the sea without a trace.

That night history was made. At the same moment, a mystery was born. The Hunley became the first submarine ever to sink an enemy ship. But what caused her to sink to the bottom of the sea?

The world would have to wait until the tools of modern technology could begin to unlock the secrets of the Hunley. In 1995, author and adventurer Clive Cussler found the Hunley resting on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean. Intact and remarkably well preserved, the Hunley was found buried deep within the sand and silt just outside of Charleston Harbor.

The recovery of the Hunley has turned out to be one of the most important single events in the history of South Carolina. After being lost at sea for 137 years, the Hunley was revealed on August 8, 2000, seen for the first time in her entirety, from bow to stern and top to bottom. It was indeed a remarkable moment in history.

South Carolina ETV provided live coverage
of the raising of the Hunley.
Click THIS LINK to view the event.

Gone to Glory

Called the “murdering machine” by some Confederate sailors, the Hunley inflicted more casualties on the South than on the North. Two crews, including this one captained by Horace Hunley and laid to rest near Charleston, died in accidents that occurred months before the sub’s final sinking. Yet to Lt. George Dixon, who captained the sub on her last mission, death was not too high a price to pay.

“Charleston and its defenders will occupy the most conspicuous place in the history of the war,” Dixon wrote a few weeks before he died at the Hunley’s helm, “and it shall be as much glory as I shall wish if I can inscribe myself as one of its defenders.”

Hunley Crew Burial
Lieutenant George E. Dixon
Arnold Becker
Corporal J. F. Carlsen
Frank Collins
Lumpkin
Miller
James A. Wicks
Joseph Ridgaway


April 17th, 2004

The morning was warm, and the waters off Charleston Harbor were unusually calm. It was perhaps the same sort of sea Hunley commander Lt. Dixon was waiting for in 1864 when he and his crew launched the experimental vessel that began the age of modern day submarines.

But this day would not mark the beginning of the Hunley crew's mission, but rather the completion of their century long journey to a final burial. On April 17th, 2004, the submarine pioneers that manned the first successful combat submarine were buried.

The ceremony began at 9.15 am with a memorial service at White Points Garden. Immediately after the ceremony, horse drawn caissons followed by a 19th century period dressed procession led the crew to the their final resting place. The procession marched 4.5-miles through downtown Charleston, and ended at Magnolia Cemetery. The Hunley's eight-man crew was then laid to rest next to others who lost their life on Hunley test missions.

When the Hunley was finally located in 1995, one of the main goals of the Hunley Commission and Friends of the Hunley was to bring these maritime pioneers home and lay them to rest with honor. The Hunley crew's burial required nearly a year of planning and volunteers gave thousands of hours of their time to ensure the crew's interment was a memorable and dignified event. Additionally, the Friends of Hunley research team was able to locate descendants of 3 of the crewmembers, and they participated in the burial of their ancestors.

State Senator Glenn F. McConnell, Chairman of the Hunley Commission said, in an open letter to all the funeral participants, "The funeral procession was magnificent and you all displayed the dignity that these brave heroes so richly deserved. I was so proud! Even the media remarked on the dignified and reverent manner with which all the ceremonies were completed. While it was both a celebratory and solemn occasion, everyone remembered that it was a funeral for maritime history makers and conducted themselves accordingly. This was indeed a fitting tribute. While the funeral may be over, memories will last forever as will my gratitude to all of you.

This was a day of unity for the Blue and the Gray; the North, South, East and West; all nationalities; and all faiths. It is my fervent hope that this bond will continue to grow and that we will all remain united in our efforts to preserve history."



A Time Capsule
The Hunley is now in the Warren Lasch Conservation Center. The conservation process has taken several years, but the excavation and analysis of the H.L. Hunley continues to provide many clues for archaeologists, conservators, anthropologists, and historians as they seek to understand the events that led to the loss of the H.L. Hunley and her crew, events that also led to the dawn of the modern era in submarine technology.

Reservations are required for the 20-minute tour where visitors can view the vessel, which rests at the Conservation Center in a tank of 50 degree fresh water, and hear a brief program on the submarine's history and historical significance.

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[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?