The Hunley was designed and built at Mobile, Alabama, and named for its chief financial backer, Horace L. Hunley. Less than 40 feet (12 metres) long, the submarine could hold up to nine crewmen, most of whom propelled the vessel by hand cranking a single screw. Its commander controlled steering and depth.

How many men did it take to operate the Hunley?

Hunley made history when its torpedo took down the 1,100-tonne Union ship USS Housatonic outside Charleston Harbor, S.C. The Hunley itself later sank, with its crew of eight aboard. According to research led by Rachel Lance, who studied the incident during her Ph. D.

What was the Hunley made of?

Made out of 40 feet of bulletproof iron, the H.L. Hunley was a Confederate submarine with a crew of eight. But despite its claim to fame, it was a dangerous vessel to be inside.

What was used to power Hunley?

Hunley was originally intended to attack by using a floating explosive charge with a contact fuse (a torpedo in 19th century terminology) which was towed at the end of a long rope. Hunley was to approach an enemy ship on the surface, then dive under her, and surface again once beyond her.

How did the Hunley work?

The Hunley was initially designed to dive completely below her target while towing behind a floating torpedo on a 200-foot tether. ... The Hunley approached her mark and then dove beneath the target vessel. When the torpedo hit the barge, it blew up and sank within minutes. The Hunley resurfaced shortly after.

The Hunley - One of the the world's first military submarine. Powered by hand crank!

How did the Hunley sink?

On February 17, 1864, the ship headed out of Charleston Harbor and approached the U.S.S. Housatonic. The Hunley struck a torpedo into the Yankee ship and then backed away before the explosion. The Housatonic sank in shallow water, and the Hunley became the first submarine to sink a ship in battle.

Were there bodies found in the Hunley?

Crew Remains: Archaeologists excavating the Hunley after its recovery in 2000 found the crewmembers' remains were largely found at their stations, with no sign of panic or desperate attempts to escape the submarine.

How did the Hunley change naval warfare?

Hunley recognized the importance of breaking the Union blockade and keeping supply lines open to the South. The small band of Confederates began work on a new approach to naval warfare, one that took the fight below the water's surface. This quest became a process of innovation and evolution.

Why is the Hunley very important in military history?

On February 17th, 1864, the H. L. Hunley became the first successful combat submarine in world history with the sinking of the USS Housatonic. The Hunley has since been excavated and proved to be a time capsule, holding a wide array of artifacts that can teach us about life during the American Civil War. ...

How did the Hunley impact the Civil War?

When the Confederate submarine Hunley sank a Union, it didn't change the course of the Civil War, yet it altered naval warfare forever. ... Based on information gleaned from Confederate deserters, Union ships had been on alert for undersea vessels lurking in Charleston Harbor.

Did they use submarines in the Civil War?

You may be surprised to find out that submarines were used during the Civil War. These submarines were very different from the modern nuclear powered versions we know about today. They were cramped and dangerous vehicles powered by the brave men inside using hand cranks.

How does a spar torpedo work?

A spar torpedo is a weapon consisting of a bomb placed at the end of a long pole, or spar, and attached to a boat. The weapon is used by running the end of the spar into the enemy ship. Spar torpedoes were often equipped with a barbed spear at the end, so it would stick to wooden hulls.

How did the Telegraph affect the civil war?

For the first time in the history of warfare, the telegraph helped field commanders to direct real-time battlefield operations and permitted senior military officials to coordinate strategy across large distances. These capabilities were key factors in the North's victory.

How do submarines fight?

Submarine warfare consists primarily of diesel and nuclear submarines using torpedoes, missiles or nuclear weapons, as well as advanced sensing equipment, to attack other submarines, ships, or land targets.

How did the North win the Civil War?

Possible Contributors to the North's Victory:

The North was more industrial and produced 94 percent of the USA's pig iron and 97 percent of its firearms. The North even had a richer, more varied agriculture than the South. The Union had a larger navy, blocking all efforts from the Confederacy to trade with Europe.

How was medicine during the Civil War?

Medications that were helpful included quinine for malaria, morphine, chloroform, and ether, as well as paregoric. Many others were harmful. Fowler's solution was used to treat fevers and contained arsenic. Calomel (mercurous chloride) was used for diarrhea.

What was the HL Hunley's mission?

The ship was part of a fleet whose purpose was to blockade Charleston Harbor, in South Carolina, to keep Confederates from leaving and help from arriving. This nautical siege—part of the larger naval blockade of the South called Anaconda—was far from perfect, but it had done its main job: to constrict the Confederacy.

Who attacked first at the Battle of Shiloh?

The battle began when the Confederate Army launched a surprise attack on Union forces under General Ulysses S. Grant (1822-85) in southwestern Tennessee. After initial successes, the Confederates were unable to hold their positions and were forced back, resulting in a Union victory.

What 7 items did they find that personally belonged to Lt Dixon?

• Dixon's Coin. The Legend. ...
• Dixon's Jewelry. In 2002, Hunley scientists discovered a diamond ring and brooch while sifting through sediment excavated from Dixon's station. ...
• Union ID Tag. ...
• Lantern. ...
• Dixon's Binoculars. ...
• Bandana. ...
• Buttons. ...
• Canteen.

What happened to the Hunley submarine?

Once the torpedo had detonated on the Housatonic, the submarine signaled to shore she had completed her mission and was on the way home. Confederates on shore lit a fire to help guide the submarine back to land, but instead, the Hunley disappeared into the sea.

How was the Hunley recovered?

Hunley was found in 1995 in the Charleston outer harbor about four miles off Sullivan's island. The divers had to dive down 30 feet of water before finding the Hunley, which was buried in the sand and sediment.

Where are the Hunley sailors buried?

They were buried yesterday morning at Charleston's Magnolia Cemetery, where the original Hunley crewmen who perished have rested for the past 140 years, after a 4 1/2 -mile procession by mourners from Charleston's Battery to the burial ground.

How much does it cost to see the Hunley?

many Tickets are $16 for adults, $14 for military and seniors, $12 for members of Friends of the Hunley, $8 for youth ages 5-17. Reservations can be made in advance at or by calling 1.877. 4HUNLEY (1-877-448-6539).

How do you escape from a sinking submarine?

Locks allow submariners to escape by first climbing through an inner door or hatch and sealing it tightly behind themselves. They then partially flood the small volume before the outer hatch will swing open, but this two-door system means they do not need to flood the entire boat.